My name is Helena Steiner, I’m 16 and I’ve spent my whole life in the family. My mom home schooled me and my 8 brothers and sisters. I’ve had an excellent life and could wish for nothing more. My parents love me and take very good care of me. I’ve never, in any way, been abused, nor has anyone I have ever known or lived with. It is an offence to me that we (the Family) have been accused of “brain washing”, “hypnotizing people to join” and all the other stupid things they accuse us of. Are you trying to say that I am a “mindless, brainwashed zombie who can’t think for herself”? Who has been so “indoctrinated” that I don’t realize that I am actually getting abused, without even realizing it. Wow! The things you think you know about my life are amazing, seeing as you have never met me nor do you know the facts about my upbringing. You seem to think that just because the disgruntled members who have left our Family present you with so-called “facts” that that’s the way it is, not bothering to see the other side of the story and ask some of the people who are still here, and happy here! I for one will never back down on what I believe is the truth, I have found that truth here in the Family! I have not only heard of it or seen it from afar, I have lived in it for over 16 years! I am happy here, I do not wish for any other life, and I am certainly not a “mindless-brainwashed-zombie”… no, no one “persuaded” me to write this, I did it of my own initiative, to help combat the lies that are being thrown at me, my friends and my family! May God forgive you for the part you have had to play in spreading these lies!

Helena Steiner is a second-generation member of The Family International