Name: Paula Regina Marraudino
Age: 17
Country: Japan
Second-generation member of the Family International

I must say that the events that took place, concerning Angela and Ricky, were quite shocking. I did not know Angela, nor have I heard of her until now, but from growing up in the Family, I am sure she was all that others who did know her made her out to be—loving, caring, a help and encouragement to those she encountered. It saddens me to hear of the death of someone with such good qualities. She surely did not deserve such treatment. But I know that now she is in a better place away from all the suffering and confusion of this world. (more…)

Angie Tomassini Jacques, 24, second-generation member of the Family International.

This is not a dream … this is not a dream … this is not a dream. It doesn’t get through, no matter how many times I tell myself so.

In modern-day society we have all become so familiar with the concept of murder and suicide. We see it in movies all the time hear and read it in the news everyday. When did this become the norm? Why do such thoughts even cross one’s mind? I’ll tell you why, because this is a twisted world we live in, with twisted morals, twisted teachers of twisted values. Each one looking out only for himself while trampling others down if need be to suit their agenda. (more…)

Nina Marie Sooter, 17, Sao Paulo, Brazil
(Second-generation member of the Family International)

I feel compelled to write this in response to all of the accusations directed at the Family International. I consider each one of those lies a direct attack on me personally and as would be my reaction to anyone who would walk up to me and call me an abused, brainwashed zombie who is a complete idiot for choosing my current lifestyle, I will speak up in my defense.

I realize that those who are attacking and trying to destroy all that I love do so with “my best interests in mind.” But, amazingly enough, although I grew up in a “cult” I still have the ability to speak, and even read and write! So, if they don’t mind, I would much rather speak for myself from now on and not have them put their words in my mouth. (more…)

From Melissa Johnson, 21, Mexico.
Second generation member of the Family International

To all you who are trying to defeat our work and the Family: The Lord is using you for His purpose, whether you like it or not!! As a result, we are as a “city set on a hill, which cannot be hid”, and you’d better bet your britches that we’re gonna use the opportunity to “let our lights so shine before men” that they may see our good works and glorify our Father which is in Heaven! Because He deserves all the credit for anything good that we have accomplished individually, and as a group!! So chew on that!!!!!! The Lord can still use you! Ha!

My name is Melissa Johnson. I am 21 years old. I have a wonderful little family with just one daughter so far (my pride and joy), but she is such a handful, and such a darling that even with just one we still have our work cut out. We are fulltime volunteer missionaries in Mexico, (more…)

By Leila E., 28 years old, second-generation member of the Family International.

I think every parent, when they have their first child, looks back on the way they were raised, and they make decisions regarding how they will apply what they’ve gone through in their own life to how they will raise their child. You look at the happy times, the fun times, you look at the experiences you remember as pleasant, even the things that weren’t so fun, but were necessary in making you who you are today, and you want to bring those things to life in your own child. You also look at the things that hurt you, things you disliked and you swear you’ll never let those things happen to your child.

In the Family today, I would venture to say that close to 80% of the children are third generation children. They are our children, those of us who were raised in the Family, and who were the “victims” of a lot of what the Family has been accused of for the last 20 or 30 years. What I’d like to know is why our detractors are still harping on the same issues, when we’ve all grown up. We’re adults now, and so, no, we don’t need to be rescued. We have children now, and we intend on raising those children as best as we possibly can. (more…)

Nora Mullen, 25, Africa
Second-generation member of the Family International

Words fail me when I try to describe my feelings about this whole tragedy and succeeding barrage of negative slander in the media. All I can say is please listen to those of us who are really here in the Family today and who have our heads screwed on straight—not some foul-mouthed, vindictive and violently-inclined group of bitter people. Is that too much to ask? I know that the media always tends to gleefully gobble up the dirty, dark, and juicy, and smear it in front of our faces, but don’t you ever wonder if there is another side to the story? Let me clue you in a little on my side of the story…

I was privileged to be born into the Family by wonderful parents who have loved, cared for and given me a WONDERFUL 25 years of life! I have lived in 9 countries spanning 5 continents and visited at least that many or more. I speak 3 languages, and feel I have received a well-rounded great education—and what’s better, I’m still learning all the time! I’ve lived in Africa for the past 5 years, including traveling all over the place and heading up daring missions into war-torn countries—and I love it!

I was never abused. I have never, ever seen any one abused in The Family. (more…)

From Pamela, 13, Brazil.
Second generation member of the Family International.

Hi I’m Pamela I’m 13 years old, born in Argentina, and this is what I have to say :

I was born and raised with kind and loving parents!! When I was just a little baby my dad made the decision to leave the Family. (more…)

From Marianne Cutting, 21, second-generation member of the Family

The ironic hug that followed, coupled with the rhetorical words, “This hurts me more than it hurts you,” had made me angry and stiff as a board. “If they expect me to believe that, they obviously have never felt the fly swatter.”

Ok, so I was naughty, I got spanked, I got silence restriction, constructive get out, K.P. [kitchen patrol], missed movies, and scribbled tedious writing assignments.

But whenever I think back on my childhood, these things are hardly memorable, and at the most something I laugh at or am proud of.

Am I weird? Possibly.

I am, after all, in a supposed sex cult. Good thing too. This way my mediocre childhood hardships will afford me extraordinary sympathy, should I eventually choose to leave the Family. (more…)