By Laureen Maden, 18, fulltime member of the Family International

How does one turn so strongly on the ones they once loved, and by whom they were loved in return? Our lifestyle is one that requires a lot, a lot of hard work, perseverance, love, faith, and the list goes on. There are some that simply can’t or don’t want to pay such a high price, and thus search for what they left behind in terms of spiritual riches in other places, trying to satisfy the emptiness they experience by all different means – but sad to say, some never find what they are looking for. As explained so well in 2 Thessalonians 2:10,11- “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish: because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.”

If the truth hurts, we have two choices: either we face it and work with the consequences of our decisions, or we turn to absurd reasons and try to come up with excuses for our actions. The first option is what many ex-members of the Family International have done. They have made their decisions, they have moved on like adults and haven’t put blame where blame isn’t due just to make themselves feel more justified. I respect and dearly love every former Family member who has made such a decision, one of them being my brother. Taking him as an example, he loves God, loves being with us, is a hard worker, and patterns his life after the values that he has been taught during his childhood in the Family, some which even put me to shame. Is his life perfect? Of course not! He fights many battles and I’ve seen some of them firsthand. Is he going to turn around and stab me or the rest of my family because of that? Is he going to try to defame us and put us down in order to boost himself and the life he has chosen? Hell no! It’s childish at best and insane at worst. But what do you say of those who do? They’re believing their own lies, and it’s killing them, if not physically it’s definitely eating away at them spiritually.

If Ricky was proud of what he did, why did he take his own life? I feel no hate towards him, even though what he did was an attempt to destroy all we are trying to build. I feel pity, and I hope that the love of God will now help to heal the pain that he was experiencing. But, if their actions weren’t causing so much harm to our lifestyle, I would be tempted to laugh at those who would take Ricky and use him as an example of what the Family has done. Can you blame the Germans for Hitler? Can you blame Jesus for the Inquisition? Can you blame the Family for Ricky? He chose his way, as every one of us must do, whether we like it or not. Whether those actions will bring us shame and everlasting contempt or satisfaction and happiness. And for those of you who are fighting us, I pity you for the coals of fire you are reaping upon your heads, not by our hands but by the hands of the One you are fighting against. “If this work be of men, it will come to naught. But if it be of God, beware, lest you find yourself fighting against God.” Not only will you have to give account for your lies against us, but for all the innocent people you have deceived in the process. We haven’t even begun to fight, and by fight I mean against the hate, coldness, and violence that you have planted in Ricky’s heart and continue to plant in the hearts of countless others. And unlike Ricky, we are not ashamed of the lives we lead, and will stand up for what we believe until the very end.