From R., a female second-generation former member.

Hi, I’m 21 and left the Family when I was 18. I’ve got 5 siblings, some in the Family and some out. Some that still believe in God and the Family, others choosing, and some that don’t.

The main reason I left was that I didn’t find my place in the Family and wanted to study. I was confused by some sad experiences I had while in the Family and thought I would find my place in the system—[some]thing that I never found, since growing up in the Family makes you different, I think people born in the Family will know what I mean. Life is never easy whether it’s in the Family or the system.

My teen years in the Family weren’t easy but all I can say is that the hardest years I had to go through were after I left the Family. Until one day, I realized I didn’t even know if God really existed or not. I’m not talking about the Family here, just God. From that day on, I knew I had to make a choice and I chose to believe. I started reading the Word again slowly but surely and started finding answers.

Of course, the Family isn’t perfect and there have been lots of mistakes done but it is not the Family’s or God’s fault. The Family can’t control everyone and mistakes happen cause of people who maybe shouldn’t be in the Family. So stop blaming the Family and God. It’s the same in the system, some try to do good while others murder and kill, so is it a good enough reason to hate the entire world and kill everyone?

Some people should realize that the Family aren’t the only people that think and believe the way they do, so why don’t you accuse the others as well? Find another excuse for your life’s failures and leave people go on with their lives the way they choose to.

All I can say, is that ever since I chose to believe there was a God, my life has been getting easier day after day—and more fulfilling. Of course there are always ups and downs but I choose FAITH, faith that everything’s going to work out for good cause God is in control—and not myself.

I wish and pray for all the former members who live in the past and keep so much hatred against the Family. I pray that one day they’ll be set free. Free to go on living their lives to the full, whether in the Family or not.

I personally wouldn’t trade my growing up in the Family for anything else. And I hope that my kids will have the chance I had cause I think it’s the best education you could get. I pray for all of you—Family / not Family—that you find your path and be fulfilled and happy no matter where you are and that you find enough love to forgive [those] that need to be forgiven, and that means EVERYONE.