From Charles Borjas
As a former member of The Family International, I am writing this in response to the Montel Williams Show which was recently aired on TV in the U.S.
I joined The Family International when it was The Children of God in 1970. I was brought up as a Catholic and already had a love of God and His Holy Word, and a desire to serve Him as a missionary someday, from the time I was 13 years old. (more…)

I read a number of the articles on “myconclusion.com” and I’m impressed by some of them, especially the one written by Phil, China’s older brother. It is apparent that he disagrees with what his sister said on television, yet he doesn’t get into calling her names (like “liar” or “apostate"), he wishes her well - in his own way. (more…)

Let me start this by saying that I am not a member of The Family. I was born and raised in TF. My wife and I moved out of Family homes in 1999 and gradually dropped contact (besides a couple friends) and even partial membership.

People criticize members of the Family for standing up for themselves. They pay little attention to their arguments because they are members of “the cult”. It seems to me that once someone is branded with the title cultist they are not accorded the normal rights (including the right to stand up for themselves) that other people are. (more…)

From L. K. Davidson

Dear Editor,

I met the Family in 1971, Los Angeles, California, and was amazed at the constant word references used by the then members. I did not join immediately, only later after having again spent some time with them in Montreal, PQ, Canada. Finally I joined in Europe, in 1973 and stayed with the Family until 1995, when I left to avoid some conflicts, mostly with myself. However, at no time during all these years did I ever find our top leadership corrupt, untrue or even slightly inclined to any sort of abuse, whether child abuse or otherwise. (more…)

By E.A.L, England
(Former member of the Family International)

There was abuse in the family, that has been established. It has also been apologized for and stringent measures put in place to stop it happening again.

For the last few months I have been visiting the Moving on website. At first I was upset by what was being said about The Family on it, but over time I dismissed it as just a few bitter, angry people. I started to really get wound up about the abuse I had suffered as a child, things I thought I had already dealt with. I started to think maybe they’re right, maybe The Family is evil.

Then the news about Ricky came, and the reactions on that site scared me. How could you hold those actions up as a good thing, make him a hero, say you wish you could do the same? These people are out to destroy The Family, and are proud of it.

I cannot sit by and let that happen. Yes, there was abuse in The Family. I experienced it. But since the Charter was introduced and the guidelines set down, I have not at any time experienced or seen any cases of mental, physical or sexual abuse within The Family. Nor have I heard of any. What I have seen and been involved with is children receiving superior educations, within a wonderful supportive extended family structure. (more…)

From Timothy Francesco Tonazzini, 21, second-generation former member in the process of rejoining the Family International.

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Mat.5:9”

My name is Timothy Francesco Tonazzini, currently living in Croatia. I’m 21 and I have been out of the Family for 3 years. I just wanted to speak up and give my opinion on what’s happening. I’m rejoining the Family right now and I don’t know if I’ll make it, but I know that no matter what I’ll always stick up for the good in life, even if it means making some enemies.

I’m not forced to stay in the Family. No one is forced to stay in the Family, in fact when I decided to do my own thing I just told my parents and they did their best to help me get started in a new life. I got a good job and went on my own way but I got sick of what I saw.

I saw abuse so many times out there. I saw young guys and girls who every day got and still are getting abused through drugs, horror movies, “friends,“ you name it. (more…)

Name: Aigo Shimonaka Age:22
Currently not a member of the Family but hope to rejoin ASAP, and still consider myself a member at heart.

This isn’t about the recent deaths of Ricky and Angela, as I think enough’s already been said on that topic to last this lifetime and most-likely the next as well. This is about yet another desperate attack to demoralize, divide and hopefully conquer.

Some of you people on the MovingOn site keep referring to Mama, Peter, their “entourage", and indirectly, the rest of us Family members and friends as the Scribes and Pharisees. (for details see disclaimer “scribes and pharisees” from Banshee. www.movingon.org) (more…)

From Gabe, second-generation former member.

I guess I should introduce myself. My name is Gabe, commonly known as Gabe, I am an X member of TF [The Family], why, and why am I giving a conclusion in my conclusion instead of in the moving on page, I’ll get to that also, sooner or later I think and hope.

I am an X because I have a problem with weed. Yep, that’s it folks, I do, and I guess that has stopped me from being up there with the rest of you. But I was in TF for many years living in Brazil.

I remember much in ‘86 when we lived in Curitiba with some people that nowadays are called “abusers” in TF. (more…)

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. (more…)

Hi, My name is Atlanta Harder (24) and I was born and raised in the Family. I left the Family 4 years ago and I am now married, have a beautiful baby, go to school and have a good job at H&R BLOCK. (more…)

(From a second-generation former member)

My name is Mark Elder and I’m 32, or was it 31. Oh well, I’m getting senile before my time. I guess I wanted to put my two cents in on what happened with David [Ricky Rodrigues].

A quick history: I left the Family when I was 19 and rejoined for a year when I was 28 and then left again and ended up spending another month in Sara and Alf’s home a few months later before finally moving on for good. Most people who knew me in the Family would say that I was a nice guy as well, and would probably have good things to say about me, aside from my leaving the Family.

I used to consider myself a good person too. But in the course of my life I’ve learned a lot about human nature, from others, and a great deal from myself. I know what it’s like to go from being the Family’s most ardent supporter, to feeling hate and bitterness towards the Family to the point of wanting to take action against it. (more…)

From Maria Rosa

Just wanted to add my two cents here, I believe most topics have been covered, but I also want to add my support to the Family International. I am currently not in the Family, but I did grow up in it and I remember my time in the Family as being a time where I felt a lot of purpose in my life, I lived in Family homes where I always felt safe, very safe. and loved and cared for. I was never lonely as there was always plenty of people around to talk to. This was very enjoyable and something I miss.

We lived well and always had our needs met, not luxuriously, but considering that we were living in a third world country, with poverty all around us, I always considered myself very lucky! And was extremely grateful for the many blessings that God saw fit to shower us with, and from a very early age I saw the fruit of the verse, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all things shall be added unto you.” I feel that I had a wonderful heritage of faith instilled in me, and one that I cherish to this day, as it has brought me through many difficult times.I can’t imagine being raised any other way, and consider myself extremely lucky. (more…)

From Rick D. (Age 18)
Former Member of The Family International

After reading the other articles on this site, I felt I needed to write one myself.

About a year ago, I left the Family International wanting a different and perhaps more normal life with more opportunities. I’m not gonna get into trying to define what is the “actual” normal life, because honestly, I’m sick of people doing that and I don’t think anyone really knows anyway.

The main reason I left was because I wanted to go to college and make something of myself, which I felt I wasn’t able to accomplish while living the Family life style. My education from growing up in the Family is far from lacking. I passed the GED with honors a year before I was actually supposed to take the test. I was surprised at how basic the questions were and also how obvious the answers are. According to a news article the average GED test taker is 23.8, and only 66.6% of them actually past the first time. I know more then enough people with a Family’s style education (CVC) that passed the first shot, with flying colors.

Funny how people call the Family’s education primitive, lacking, flawed, and not adaptive to modern life? It’s not the Family’s system of schooling that’s lacking, it’s the individual or the care taker of the individual that’s not up to par. (more…)

From Marissa (former Family member)

This is what I have to say about the Ricky/ Angela situation. Although I am not in the Family anymore I was appalled, shocked, angry, and deeply saddened to hear about this tragedy. It’s so sad that dear Angela died in such a cruel way, she didn’t deserve it.

I lived for awhile with Angela a few years ago, she was a saint and a great sample of love and concern. She was so fun, outgoing, bubbly, loving, caring and understanding, and never made me feel uncomfortable. She was one of those adults that you really liked to have around and that you could easily talk to about anything. She was the kind of adult that the young people really liked.

I remember when we first met, I believe that she had heard that my first language was French, and when we met she tried to speak to me in French, I guess to make me feel comfortable with her. Although she didn’t speak it fluently, she always did the best she could as she knew that sometimes it was easier for me to speak in French. I thought it was so thoughtful and sweet of her to do that!
(more…)

From Sol, second-generation former Family member

After a long day at the office, then picking up my car from the service center, I arrived home and looked over my oldest daughter’ s school papers (she starts school next week, pre-primary) - After that I proceeded to finish some financial documents for a business I’ve recently launched. After all the evening things such as spending time with my wife and kids I went online and stumbled across a whole load of dialog on the ricky effect.

I’ve just finished reading a lot of it and honestly I could sleep for a week, it was a tiresome read and I did muse over the fact that had I got involved with the whole davidito/ricky murder and consequent suicide, I ‘d have had little time to concentrate on anything productive.

Where do you people get the time???

Till this point I honestly didn’t care what Ricky did, to himself or to another. It saddens me that 2 lives were taken under somewhat pointless circumstances however it left about as much of an impression on me as it does reading about an equivalent scenario in the daily newspaper. (more…)

(Sent to Michaela F. Rieli, Brazil, by Martin Puckey (19), USA, former second generation member of The Family International)
(Note: Posted with permission)

First of all, let me apologize for the nerve I apparently struck. And that is not sarcastic in any way. I could have and should have chosen my tone a bit more tactfully but I want you to know that I in no way whatsoever was attempting to knock you or the Family. Like I said, I have no regrets or bitterness or ill will towards the Family in any way whatsoever. I was brought up in a community full of love and kindness and with people who truly cared about me. Yes, like you said, you can see bad in just about anything if you choose to focus on it, but I am not decieved into thinking that the few occasions where things weren’t as great as they could have been were any worse then the experiences which everybody has at times in their childhood.

Nobody has a perfect childhood, and the good parts completely overtake the bad in my opinion. I have very fond memories of my upbringing and my decision to no longer be in the Family was not prompted by hatred or ill will, merely a realization that it wasn’t for me and I wanted more [by which I mean different things] out of life. I feel that as long as I am living my life in the right frame of mind, and I am not harming anyone, but trying to make the lives of people I meet just a little better for having known me, then I am still cool with God. I believe that in order for people to respect me and my decisions, I must first respect them and theirs. So I do not think that the way I think and what I believe is right for anybody but myself. Everyone has a right to their own life and I am not going to discriminate. I am proud of you and your choices. (more…)

My name is Lilia P.,

After learning of the tragic events and responses in the media I felt the need to offer my sympathy and prayers to the loved ones and friends affected by this situation., I would also like to lend a say in response to the hype and assumptions surrounding our ‘abusive childhood’ in hopes others (as in those who want to hear all the angles) can REALLY hear all the angles.

I’m 20 years old , born and raised in “The Family”. I’m now happily married, contently settled outside of the Family, busily working in childcare and enrolled in a local college (strangely sounds like moving on.) I have studied and earned a diploma in Early Childhood Education and from what I know and have experienced is that myself, my 10 younger siblings, and every classmate I’ve grown up with in the Family has had and continues to have, every single basic need met, not to mention the most love and proper care any child in the world could hope for. (more…)

My name is Jessica Salazar. I am 19 years of age.

From the moment I was born my parents brought me into the best little haven we could possibly call in this God Forsaken, grief stricken and lying earth. This place is called The Family. I couldn’t begin to express to all of you out there what The Family did for my life. Our wonderful leaders that taught us the wonderful meaning of God’s Word. The fun, laughter and excitement every day brought me. I am no longer in the Family. I have been out 2 1/2 years now to pursue another part of life.

But all the lies and strange and completely contorted twists of the murder which happened to one of our dear Family members which the media is feeding to all of you out there absolutely disgusts me! The man who killed Angela was nothing less that a man driven by Satan, which led him to do it. I didn’t personally know Angela. But from what I have read and heard about her, she was nothing short of an angel put on this earth.

I lived in a Family home fulltime until I was 17 years old, and not ONCE did I ever see any such “Abuse” as you would call it. And I have lived in over 5 different countries around the world. In each and every single home which I lived, all members loved, worked together as a team and did their absolute best to ensure that all us kids had the BEST upbriging in the world. (more…)

(Sent to Tiffany of Steph, Mexico, after hearing about Angela’s death.)
(Note: Posted with permission)

Dearest Tiff,

Happy New Year 2005! How are you? And your family? I’ve been thinking about you a lot especially recently after hearing about Angela.

I was really shocked by what happened to her and I felt great and deep sadness. All the memories from when I used to live with her and Andrew in Mexico came flooding back to me. It made me think about all of us who used to live together with her. I couldn’t believe it was her they were talking about. It really shook me.
(more…)

Arnhem 20 January 2005,

Dear Mama, Peter and Family,

The devastating news about the tragic dead of Angela and Davidito the 9th of this month has reached us too and in this writing I would really like to express my deepest sympathy and condolences with ‘the family’ and specially for Mama, Peter, Techi, Davida, Sara and Alfred who we all know so well from the Grandpa Stories! I really pray with all my heart that the Comforting Presence of the Lord will give you peace and carry you through this time of agony and deep grief. It’s very obvious that this is a satanic attack to the very core of the heart of the family. Every loss of a loved one, cuts a wound, but the horrible murder, suicide and hateful accusations and motivations makes this wound a very deep dirty, infected one, which will not be easy to heal. I sure pray that the Lord gives you His Wisdom and Grace to come to terms with this great loss and all the effects it might have.
(more…)

Dear friends and family,

My heart goes out in deepest sympathy for the mother of Pete, and all related. Also to my dear friend, Sue! We had lovely times together.

There are no words that can really say what I want to express. I lost my son at the age of 25 in France by an accident. Later, I knew Pete very shortly. A Mother survives these things but can never really heal. My heart goes out to Maria, for the only son she had, and I hope that others will understand her pain. I have. Judge not that ye be not judged. Dont’t try to be God. God Loves you!

A mother,
Mother Eve

(Mother Eve was the first wife of The Family International’s founder, the late David Brandt Berg.)

(From Luke, 31, a second-generation former member)

After seeing the latest development of Richard Rodriguez brutally murdering Angela Smith, & the media feeding on it as a new sensationalist story, I think it’s time I write about my own experiences in growing up in The Family, & what it has done to my life & career as an adult.

I was born in 1973, a little before the “baby boon” happened in The Family, grew up all over the Middle East, Europe, & Latin America, so I’ve gone through all aspects of the child raising efforts that were put forth. Being very independent, & quite a troublemaker, which means I went through if not all, then definitely most of the discipline programs that were in place for various reasons.

Without going into further details, I had found that I was more fulfilled & challenged working in highly technical fields, than in The Family, so I am not currently leading the missionary lifestyle I grew up in & was used to. According to the very vocal Family detractors, because of my time in The Family, I now should be a psychological mess, doing as little, or less, with my life as they are, & generally worthless!
(more…)

Daniella Close
San Diego, CA

To the Editor of the Los Angeles Times
And writers Larry Stammer and Cara DiMassa

I read your article in the La Times on 1/17/2005 in regards to “The Family International.” I was born into and am a former member of The Family. I left in 2001 to pursue a career in the medical field, having spent 21 years in The Family.

I am appalled and disgusted with this article. Suggesting that the murder of Angela Smith was “deserved” and that Mr. Rodriguez is the victim shocks and sickens me. It’s as if you are condoning murder. ANGELA was the victim NOT Mr. Rodriguez. Angela was a wonderful, caring person who devoted her whole life to the Lord and telling others about Him. She was the most selfless person I ever met and I don’t know anyone who knew her personally–as I did–who says otherwise.

I grew up with Daniel Roselle, as both our families lived abroad helping with missionary work and humanitarian aid. We were IN NO WAY EVER ABUSED, to the contrary we were well taken care of and provided for by our parents and other members of The Family. Why he is saying these things is beyond me and is probably to draw attention to himself. I ask you to stop for moment and consider your sources. I have been both in The Family and am now no longer a part of the group. I KNOW FOR A FACT that these accusations and insinuations are wrong and ask you to please print the other side of the story, MINE!

Daniella Close is a second generation former member of The Family International.