Here is another post with a video-slideshow from a similar event held in Argentina!
Here

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.

Neither did I gather any evidence of financial irregularities, dishonesty or violent behavior. Rather meeting The Family is for me a true lifesaver and anchor on the road back home to reconcile with God. In fact, it was myself who left due to my inadequacy and somewhat less than acceptable conduct in the sight of our Lord, and surely in the eyes of some of my brethren., Peter, or Ditto (David) Rodriguez as he was also known, was not compelled to commit the crimes he did, and at no point is it realistic to point the finger at the Family as a unit to blame them for David’s confessed guilt. He blames others for his weakness and desires, just as Cain did. In fact, Eve in the Garden blames Satan’s proxy the serpent for her sin; the blame game is Old Hat.

The Enemy of Christ is anyone who is anti-Christ in orientation, and obviously they will not hesitate to bring reproach on Christ and The Family whenever the occasion arises. Our friends know the truth, our enemies don’t care about the truth, and the large group of indifferent people in the world couldn’t care less; in short, my testimony as to the genuine Holy Spirit sanctified saints of The World Services Family is now recorded for anyone’s use, and it is irrevocable before God forever.

Best Regards

L. K. Davidson
New Delhi, India

My name is Alfred Yuuichirou Cloward, I’m 15, I’ve been born in Japan (have been here ever since) I was born and raised in the Family (or offically known as the family international) and I can proudly say that I like my life, I like the where I am, I like what I do, and I can truly say that I have never (no wait…NEVER!) been abused! (as some have assumed)

I honestly feel this is where I want to be, think about it, out there I’d be slaving away for 6 days a week and at the end what would I have to show for it? hmmmmmm… well minus the bills on the car, the apartment, and everything else I’d have to purchase, probably have a bit of cash left to spend on whatever I want, and then what? well back to work in the slave line of half a million people who are doing the exact same thing that I am? which is you may ask? nothing! Honestly, this place may not be for everyone, but I have to live for something! and this place is it. It’s sorta like a quote from George Burns that I heard once “I’d much rather be a failure, at something I love, then be a success at something I hate” well that’s my heartcry too, I’d much rather spend my life doing something for others, something that will make a difference, than spend my days working like a horse to keep up with the bills! besides I’m prepping up for the greatest show the world’s ever seen, and I’m stickin here come hell or high water!

So you can flush your “assumed” version of what life is like here, down the drain because I for one am not buying it! Go find a real job instead of creating fanatasy stories that haven’t an once of truth in them! if you don’t want to live here? fine, go find yourself a life out there , where you can support yourself and do what “you” want. But I am sticking right here and if you wanna move me? you’ll drag me out in a body bag! I love this life, I love this job, I love Jesus, I love these people, and if you’re attacking the Family you’re attacking us! and if you think we’re gonna sit down and take your blow you’ve got the wrong idea! I’m staying here not because I’m forced, not because I’m brainwashed but because THIS is my life, THIS is what I want to do, and THIS is where I belong, and I am not leaving this place, and my word to you is ….. if you light the bush, get ready for the forest fire! I stand with the Family, and if you’re thinking of taking us down? you’ll have to take me down with them.

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)

I am 21 year-old second-generation* member of The Family International. My name is Christopher, and this is my testament. (*Born and raised in the Family)

I don’t know what you’ve heard about our group, or for what reason you stumbled upon this site. I don’t know how you’ve chosen to form your opinions about us or which side you’ve chosen to believe in this whole controversy.

I am not writing this, however, to try to change your mind or to try to convince you of my views. What you choose to think is entirely up to you and I have no right to try to change your own personal choices.

The only reason I’m writing this is to explain to you the life of a random Family Member and state my own personal opinions about the Family International. If there is any coherence in what I say, I leave it up to you to decide by cautious, intelligent, and professional investigation.

I was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to an American father and Norwegian mother, who themselves were, and still are, missionaries in our group. I am the second oldest of six and have lived my entire life in Brazil.

My childhood took place in many types of Family homes. Small “pioneer” type homes, large “combo” style homes, field homes (homes working directly with outreach), service homes (homes designed to provide service to field homes) and school homes (somewhat of a Christian boarding school). I say in all honesty that I lived a perfectly peaceful and innocent childhood. My parents took excellent, excellent care of me, physically, emotionally, scholastically and spiritually. Not meaning to be presumptuous, but I believe this is more than the average modern-day child can say for themselves.

We didn’t live a life of luxury. Most toys we had were donated toys without that “brand new” luster. Clothes and shoes were, in many cases, hand-me-downs either from my older brother or from other children in the community. But we were happy. I was happy. I felt so accepted, so cared for, appreciated—even with such a simple life style. We were taught to look beyond the material to the real values in life, which were love, unselfishness, and kindness. Lessons which a great many youth in our advanced and “enlightened” society could stand to learn.

The first time I can remember hearing about the accusations of child abuse was when I was ten—around the time when the Argentine government persecuted the Family. I must say that I couldn’t really understand what it was all about. I had a vague idea but my life had been so sheltered that concepts such as “child-abuse” were entirely foreign to me. It was many years later when I understood their absurd accusations from studying news clippings and Family statements written in response to those accusations. It was funny, because I had had such a beautiful childhood that my mind couldn’t even register these horrible things being said against us—of course I thought they were absurd, but my own painfully innocent mind was a witness to their falsehood.

I am now 21 and am involved most of the time in Christian Outreach. I talk with dozens of people every day, from many different religions, ethic groups, and walks of life, and I have found that because, in great part, of my sound and wholesome upbringing I am able to relate to them—and better than that, offer spiritual help and comfort to those who are going through bad times. It is an amazing experience, to see one’s life changed, to see their eyes light up with hope once again, to see them encouraged to keep on living. It’s an experience I have lived many times and continue to live. It’s an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything. It has become my purpose for living. That is why I am still in the Family. That is why I believe in our message, in our methods and in our way of life.

In closing, I would like to state that I am very aware of the failings, shortcomings and mistakes of our movement, but in spite of all those, what prevails in the Family is love. That is our religion and whole basis of thought and belief: true, sincere, unselfish love. I would like to echo the words of two great instruments of God, who I admire greatly.

“Love never fails, but whether there be prophecies they will fail, whether there be tongues they will cease, whether there be knowledge it will vanish away.” (The Apostle Paul, leader of a controversial religious movement of the first century AD, which came to be known as Christianity, commenting on love.)

“The Family has always been a spiritual entity that thrives in the hearts of real, live people. It’s not made up of words, rules, regulations and procedures. It’s not the result of publications, boards, initiatives and [meetings]. But rather it’s the result of the truth that has become alive in individuals which has burst into a flame of passionate dedication to a living Savior.” (Maria Fontaine, leader of a controversial religious movement of the twentieth century AD, which came to be known as The Family, commenting on what the Family is really all about.)

Sincerely yours,

Christopher A. Thomas