Timm, 19, Europe
(Second-generation member of the Family International)

It doesn’t matter what the detractors say, I am here because I choose to be and no other reason.

I personally believe in brainwashing. Everyday when you go out and see an advertisement or you watch TV you grow accustomed to what that article or message is trying to get across, and if you hear or see it regularly it becomes engrained into you. So yes, in a way I am brainwashed, every day I sit down and read or hear the Word, where I am taught and reminded to be loving and put others needs above my own, to take good care of myself, to help make others’ lives better and 101 ways of how to win people to Jesus. But I do this willingly and I am not in anyway forced to do so.

If for some reason I no longer want to be here and want to live my life some other way, I can pick up my bags and move on. But I won’t, at least not in the near future. Cuz’ how can you beat living with a group of people who love you, and when you have problems will go out of their way to help you?

I have 3 older bothers and sisters, 2 of whom have left The Family. I have no bad feelings towards them because of it. I look forward to meeting them whenever possible and enjoy their company.

The Family is a missionary movement and not made for everyone. If you want to live for yourself, get lots of money and possessions, or just plain don’t believe The Family’s doctrines, then there is nothing to hold you here.

If you feel that you’re so messed up because of your upbringing and feel your life is ruined because of it, look at Nelson Mandela (the South African president) who was years in prison because he held a different political view and upon coming out he put it behind him, forgave his enemies and moved on. There must be thousands of people whose upbringing wasn’t perfect or even terrible but they didn’t let that hamper them but instead became highly successful.

Life is what you make it, you can sit down and bemoan about how messed up you are, and every time you meet up with your friends talk about it or you can move on get a job and start living, and make it a beautiful life. And if I am so brainwashed I don’t even know what’s going on around me, than heck let me dream. Why wake me up to a life of hate and remorse, when I can be happy and fulfilled right here where I am?

My life isn’t perfect; there are many things that I wish I could do if only I had the money to do them. And there are times when I wish there weren’t the rules in place prohibiting me from doing certain things. But I have decided that the pros outweigh the cons and that is why I am still here.