I Just Have one little thing to say….

We are, Men and Women of Faith, and there is nothing, that anyone, be it man or woman or even the Devil himself and all his little demons, can do to stop us.
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My name is Cristina, I’m 16 years old, born and raised in Colombia. My parents have both lived in The Family for over 25 years now, and have raised my brothers, sisters and me as true missionaries, for which I’m not ashamed!

When I heard the news about what happened with Ricky and Angela, I thought: How can somebody whom, throughout his whole life in The Family, received attention, unconditional love, and all that they imparted to him, end his life like that, killing someone and then taking his own life too? And the worst of it all is that they want to make us believe that he was the victim? (more…)

Well, I’m almost 14, and my name is Jesse Daniel.

I just want to make one thing clear to all you people:

The Family ROCKS!!!!!!!!!! (more…)

My name is David Van Nynatten. I’m 27 years old and I was born in the Family. I am a musician and artist. I live in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

I have grown weary of hearing people speak evil of things I know to be pure, therefore I am compelled to write in response.

Many of my friends and fellow missionaries have written in response to the accusations made by, I’d say, somewhat unhappy, former members of The Family. Some of these admit to have gone through some rough times in the past as do the previously mentioned former members. In their writings many state similar views on how they were not adversely affected by past unjust treatment, but instead consider that they’d been strengthened and have had their character positively built by it all, and consequently hold no grudges.

I guess I can start by asking, what about all the others, literally hundreds, who can honestly say that nothing of the sort really ever happened to them? (more…)

I’m a sixteen year old born and raised in the Family, and I’m proud of it.

After hearing about Angela’s and Ricky’s death, I was fairly shocked. That incident just went about to prove what hate and bitterness can do to you and how dangerous it is to listen to the enemy’s lies. I did not know Angela or Ricky personally, but I do know that what happened to Angela could never EVER be rightfully justified. Of course we should love the sinner and hate the sin, and I know Ricky has been forgiven, I personally have forgiven him, but that act of hatred was undoubtedly wrong.
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Name: Sara Radicchi Aslund
Age: 20
Location: Brazil

The truth is that I don’t know where to start, but with everything that has happened, I feel compelled to defend what I believe in and try to help you see the other side of the “story”.

I could, of course, reiterate the horror of what has happened and how appalled I am, but hopefully we all know that, its common sense! Murder is not and will never be justifiable. I’ve heard the most atrocious comments made from some former members about what has happened and seeing the way that they are trying to defend murder and justify it is just unbelievable!! How blind can people get?

What puzzles me the most is how people can blindly be accusing Maria who they most probably don’t even know!! Imagine if your son, who you haven’t seen for years and who hasn’t contacted you either, kills someone you love and then takes his own life. And then you get people who didn’t know either of you deciding to blame you for the tragedy. I don’t think there is another soul on earth who would have the ability to handle this situation as bravely as she has. My heart goes out to her and I pray God will give her the strength to bear it. (more…)

As I reflect on the recent tragic events involving the murder of Angela Smith at the hands of Ricky Rodriguez (and Ricky’s own suicide) I can’t help but wonder how long the public can continue to ignore the ironic contradiction, which lies within the purported purpose and existence of the anti-cult movement?

Let’s take a look, for instance, at the classic image of the “dangerous sect” that the anti-cult movement has drummed into us; a movement of abusive, potentially harmful and blindly convinced brainwashed, demented fanatics who will use any and all means toward the furthering of their cause, including abduction, “brainwashing,” violence and even suicide. Is this sounding familiar?

Let me ask you, can you think of any one movement, which has fit most of these criteria? I can only think of one right now, the anti-cult movement itself! Of course, we would never consider this movement a “sect,” oh no… they have the highly distinguished “privilege” of being known as “secular.” (I know… it’s really not that fair, but belief in God sets you at a disadvantage in today’s society) (more…)