From Steve Martin, 26, second generation member of the Family.

I want to express my thoughts on the murder of Angela Smith and suicide of Ricky Rodriguez. I knew her, never met him. I was shocked, angry at first and sad; nothing prepares you for this type of news. We live in a society where these atrocities are way too common, still hearing it’s happened to someone you know is different, I’m glad they are both in a better place now.

I don’t usually take the time to express myself in writing as I have other hobbies I prefer. I don’t blog, participate in forums or online discussions and generally avoid personal correspondence, but these events call for an exception to my general dislike of composition. There has been too much published in newsprint, TV and online that is opposite of what I know to be true and what I live for.

Seems that the majority of those who would know best — those who have either been members of the Family International and those who have studied us have not been given a fair chance to be heard. And instead the accusations being spread by a small group of former members are being spread far and wide.

What gets me the most are some of the broad claims and accusations that have been leveled against The Family. These claims that are published are so senseless that even these same detractors know they are false and when confronted about them, claim being misquoted. I’m not going to argue their personal lives and what hardships they had as I don’t know that, but at the same time they don’t know mine. From reading these accusations it seems that whatever the issue, it always was The Family’s fault; I was raised in the Family and there are no complaints here. If I’m injured playing sports is it the sport’s fault? What about the person(s) who were responsible for it, shouldn’t it be worked out with them? The Family is a fellowship of INDEPENDENT missionary communities. Why is my choice of beliefs and lifestyle being defamed?

What are the concerns of this group of former members with the Family today? From reading the quotes in the newspapers one would think that these beefs are current problems, they aren’t, they are at least 15-20 years old! If they want justice I encourage them to by all means pursue it, but there is a legal system for that. But what is going to the media with all this hype going to accomplish? What don’t they like about the Family today; do they believe our communities to be un-safe for children? I’ve seen their reply to this question, it’s that they don’t agree with some of our religious beliefs, that’s fine I can accept that, I don’t expect everyone to believe as I do, but last I checked I had freedom to believe and worship as I chose.

Here is my choice:

I’m a member of The Family International because I believe that it provides me the best opportunity to make the world a better place by spreading the gospel. I’m 26 and have spent my whole life as a member of this missionary fellowship, I grew up in Europe and became fluent in Spanish at an early age, have had an education that more then prepared me for life, and I can honestly say that I believe it would’ve suited me just fine had I chosen a secular lifestyle. But I choose to continue in the calling that my parents chose.

One last thing that I’m sick of, it’s the whole “why do you group us all into this label of embittered apostates, we are your brothers and sister who love you, we just want justice” bit or line that I’ve seen recently in reply to statements such as mine. I want to clarify that I don’t group or label you and I believe that neither do the previous statements I’ve read, they are directed to those who are attacking our/my religious beliefs. I have friends that don’t agree with our group’s beliefs, leadership structure etc., and I recognize their viewpoints and don’t consider them “embittered” or “apostates”. I don’t mind people disagreeing with me, but there is a line that is crossed, and I’ll have a hard time believing that my faith is not being attacked by some former members when I see statements such as “Their spirituality was stolen. God was stolen from them.” in the news. Wait a second; I thought you just wanted justice? But this sort of statement seems more like religious bigotry rather then a search for justice, so excuse me if I’m just a bit skeptical of the motives behind it and most of the other complaints and statements being pushed to the news media.

Please allow me to continue with my ministry and life, don’t go out of your way to make mine difficult and I will not interfere with yours, in fact I’ll pray that you’ll have success in your endeavors.

Steve Martin is a second-generation member of The Family International

This entry was posted on Friday, February 4th, 2005 and is filed under Speaking Out, By Age, Those who knew them, North America, 25 to 35, Archived. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.