From Sushant Lyall, 22, India.
(Second-generation member of the Family International.)

It’s difficult to understand the reasoning behind such a cold and cruel murder. I find it unbelievable that someone who had once been an active Christian and missionary could have even meditated such evil. Of course, there’s no saying that people will never change, I’ve seen radical change in people, but missionary to murderer—an Apostle Paul in reverse—has been till now the impossible dream. But it happened.

My name is Sushant Lyall. I live in India and have recently heard of the killing in Tucson, Arizona. I am much disturbed not only by this cold-blooded, heartless act of murder but also by the senseless and absurd accusations of child abuse being hurled both at me as well as at my Christian missionary fellowship.

I have grown up in the Family. I am 22 years old and am at present working as a teacher in the Family. Of course there have been mistakes—there is no such thing as the perfect parent or teacher—but growing up in a Family community, in an environment of love and outgoing concern, in a classless society such as I have seen and witnessed all my life long and continue to witness is without a doubt the best environment for raising children that exists in the planet.

This is the truth and I need not expound on it, because truth will always vindicate itself. Always.

Ricky knew this. His friends know this too. I’m sure they encountered disappointments and rough patches in life, but to go to this extreme of supporting and perpetuating a murderous evil is taking your feelings of failure or resentment or whatever it is much too far, don’t you think?

There are many others who have left the Family for one reason or the other but are taking the change well. They’re moving on and have started new lives. They’re good, law-abiding citizens. They’re adults that have learned to keep their feelings and emotions in check. They know that you don’t build a future by continuously twisting, distorting and fabricating your past.

I am so proud of them. The changes they have had to make in their lives to adjust to a secular life have not been easy, but they have risen to the challenge with dignity and respect.

Obviously, this is simply too much to ask of some.

In the end, when all is said and done, only the ones with murderous intent will ever condone a cold-blooded murder. —Because great fools rarely differ. I don’t doubt that this murder will be a springboard for more vicious and violent behavior. It won’t be surprising if those who support such an insane and criminal act are even now sharpening their knives.

But “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the Children of God.”—The Bible (Matthew 5:9)