From Dee, North America
(New member of the Family International.)

Although I wasn’t brought up in the Family and joined late in my years, I find it so hard to believe that anyone can blame something on someone who is trying to do any good. I’ve been in the Family now for about 5 years now and have a family of my own since joining and am very happy serving the Lord with them in the Family. We go witnessing and give Bible classes to people who never thought they could be happier. They have hope and they’re spreading their happiness, whether by telling people about Jesus or through their acts of love.

Since joining, I haven’t seen or heard of any type of misconduct, abuse to anyone by anyone in the Family, until now. It’s unfortunate to hear that there were some folks who decided to do things of their own accord back then when there were no black-and-white guidelines regarding those offenses, and if this has already been dealt with by the Family and you feel you’re still not happy, then follow-up with a legal suit of your own against the guilty party, but come on folks: Don’t take it out on others, especially physically.

And if your experience is nothing more than a bitter grudge or misunderstanding, that was a long time ago and what was it they did that deserves all this hate. If you (those offended or thought to be offended) are seriously looking for closure or any type of resolution to your hurt, then come out and talk with each other, because if you don’t, you’re just bent on feeding off your hate and just being spiteful and stupid. It’s your fault you can’t go on and should leave others who chose to go on, alone.

You may feel being out in the system you’re your own man (or woman, no sex discrimination here) you’re wrong!!! The system will use and abuse you so bad, your head would spin and won’t even know what hit you. If you had a brother (or friend) and he was gay, would you accept him? You probably would, so if someone, say a friend (relative), wants to serve the Lord then why bother them?

How many times can you tell your story before people start getting bored of it? Move on…. Get smart and get closure. And those who condone such brutal acts, remember, there’s a saying, “You reap what you sow” or “What goes around comes around.”

I tell you there is nothing heroic, honorable or ‘cool’ about the murder of an innocent, unarmed woman like Angela Smith, especially one who called you a friend. This ‘Columbine style’ of making a video & plotting a ruthless murder like that is sick & inexcusable & even the most hardened ‘criminal’ would agree with that. I guess you apostates watch too much TV. But I would seriously question the psychological state of anyone saying otherwise & personally I’d declare them “a danger to society.” Whether they actually committed the act, condoning it, or if they’re just convincing others it was justifiable and drove them to it.

Some former members think they’re ‘disadvantaged’ in life due to their upbringing. Well, do you have any idea what a disadvantaged upbringing is? It’s like a rich kid complaining to a street urchin how he’s disadvantaged because he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth & groomed to take over the family business, but he turned it down & now that he has to make his own money he’s disadvantaged. Do you really think he’s going to feel sorry for him?

Why don’t you get out to help those who are really abused & disadvantaged, & believe me there are plenty, & I’m not even talking about those in Afghanistan, Rwanda, or Iraq, I’m talking about right here in the US. Or if you’re too selfish or self-centered to, at least let those who aren’t do so.

Our home prays for you who have been hurt and that you can find closure in a sensible and fulfilling way so all parties can grow and learn from this.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 23rd, 2005 and is filed under Speaking Out, Where From, New/rejoined Members, North America, Archived. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.