Topic : 08/24 The Family Cult

In the USA you remain innocent until proven guilty. For being a land of truth and freedom, my personal rights are quickly vanishing, having been stolen from me by media shows like these, spreading untruths about my way of life. If you’re seeking to broadcast truth regarding the group The Family, why don’t you look into all sides, including mine? 

I think if you were to thoroughly investigate you would find that there are many more happy and well adjusted young people, most who are still members of the group, and some who have left to pursue other walks of life, then angry or abused ones. Maybe the “abuse” wasn’t as widespread as its being made out to be.  

And I don’t think it’s fair to say that because I am still a member of the group that I am somehow unable to determine or recognize abuse, or rightly choose between right and wrong. I am responsible for my own choices and decisions in life, just as you are for yours. 

The generalizations about The Family being an abusive cult are simply not true. The whole cult and everyone in it are not abusers; in fact it’s probably a safer environment over all than many other places in the world. Its almost like saying that because you were once in a car accident involving a driver from, say, Wyoming, its highly likely that anyone residing in the state of Wyoming will most likely crash into you. So what are you going to do? Have a show where you will discuss how all people from the state of Wyoming are bad drivers and how we should suspend all drivers’ licenses within that state? Or that any one hoping to be a good driver moves to another state? It’s a bit extreme when seen from that perspective. 

(Note: no offense meant to anyone in Wyoming.) 

            I’ve been a member of this missionary group, The Family Int., since I was 3yrs old. I am now 21yrs. I have never been abused in any way. My statement is not an “excuse”, as some have claimed, it’s simply the truth. Thank you for respecting that. 

My mother (my parents are divorced) gave me all the love and care I could ever want or need, and then some. I love you mom. I have a wonderful younger sister and the coolest little brother.  

The people who were my teachers and caretakers gave me the very best in every aspect; the education I received is invaluable, and I know I owe them a great deal of thanks for the positive influence they were in my life. 

The most valuable and treasured gift I was given was my knowledge of God and His Son Jesus. Knowing that I have my Savior forever in my heart is the most important aspect and part of my life. Being raised with the simple truth of God sending His only Son Jesus to die for my sins (Jn. 3:16) so that I could live eternally with Him in Heaven once my life on earth is done, and being given the commission of telling others who have never heard the name Jesus, of His great love for them (Mk. 16:15), has been the most wonderful part of my life. 

I know everyone doesn’t believe the way I do, God created us as individuals and as such we each connect with Him in our own way, and I have a lot of respect for the beliefs and faith of others. I’m glad that our country, the USA, allows us the right and freedom to believe in God, unlike some countries that aren’t as blessed. 

I’m disturbed by the fact that I’m defending my self, my life, and my belief in God as if I were on trial.  

I’m sorry if Jim, Kristi, China, and John, experienced a difficult life, and I truly hope that they are able to find closure for the things they experienced. Maybe they could more directly address the individuals whom they feel they were hurt by instead of targeting a whole group of people. Because all of a sudden this becomes a direct attack against me and my way of life, which is hard for me to understand seeing as I’ve never met any of them. 

But trying to tear down my life and beliefs to somehow help them feel better about theirs doesn’t seem quite right to me. I’m so sorry if to some my post seems “void of emotion” but maybe that’s due to the fact that I am not angry at anybody else. I have a happy and fulfilling life and job, I am blessed to have wonderful friends and family, and I only wish for all you who wonder about our “group” to come out and visit us for yourselves, then you would at least have a fair chance of making up your own mind as far as our “group” is concerned. 

I’m Jason, 21 yr old living in the US, and have been a member of the Family International (the full time missionary organization that is being labeled a “cult”) since birth.   

Strangely enough (or maybe not so strange), for the 21 years I’ve lived and worked in this organization, I have never been abused, nor have I witnessed abuse of any kind. I’ve traveled the world, first with my parents and then as a teenager and young adult on my own, and still have never even met anyone in our organization that has suffered abuse at all, whether mental, psychological, physical, or otherwise.   

I’ve gotten kind of tired lately of trying to defend my chosen life, and the organization that I am proudly a part of.  If people don’t like it, they don’t have to stick around. It’s not like anyone is forced to stay. People don’t “escape” from the Family, if they don’t like it; they simply walk out the door. And as far as all of you who have never been in The Family, I’d suggest contacting us, and finding our side of the story before labeling us as a “cruel, godless, cult, run by monsters”.  

We’re missionaries! 

 We’re the ones that help people in places like New Orleans with Katrina, or Asia with the Tsunami’s. And apart from all our humanitarian aid work, and comforting of the needy, we also have firm belief in Jesus, and are proud to give his message of Love and salvation to everyone we meet.  

Abuse? I think not! 

Why do people ignore the fact that court case after court case has found our organization to be a safe and actually psychologically superior place for children to be brought up?  If any of this alleged abuse ever actually happened, it must have happened 20 or more years ago, and even then it’s questionable.  The Family is, and has always been, a safe, pleasant environment for children, a challenging adventurous life for the adolescent, and a fulfilling, inspiring life of dedication and service to God and our fellow man, for the rest of us.  

Need I say more? 

Everyone who is in the Family is here because they want to be. And those who left mostly moved on with their lives. As opposed to a vocal few who either for financial gain, or for sympathy, are spending their lives trying to blame their misfortune on their past and upbringing. I don’t need or want to be rescued from the life I have chosen. All we ask is that we are left alone to serve the Lord as we please. 

We are here to change the world one heart at a time. To make the world a better place through the love of Jesus, and our fellow man. 

Why not join us! 

I’m Jason, 21 yr old living in the US, and have been a member of the Family International (the full time missionary organization that is being labeled a “cult”) since birth.   

Strangely enough (or maybe not so strange), for the 21 years I’ve lived and worked in this organization, I have never been abused, nor have I witnessed abuse of any kind. I’ve traveled the world, first with my parents and then as a teenager and young adult on my own, and still have never even met anyone in our organization that has suffered abuse at all, whether mental, psychological, physical, or otherwise.   

I’ve gotten kind of tired lately of trying to defend my chosen life, and the organization that I am proudly a part of.  If people don’t like it, they don’t have to stick around. It’s not like anyone is forced to stay. People don’t “escape” from the Family, if they don’t like it; they simply walk out the door. And as far as all of you who have never been in The Family, I’d suggest contacting us, and finding our side of the story before labeling us as a “cruel, godless, cult, run by monsters”.  

We’re missionaries! 

 We’re the ones that help people in places like New Orleans with Katrina, or Asia with the Tsunami’s. And apart from all our humanitarian aid work, and comforting of the needy, we also have firm belief in Jesus, and are proud to give his message of Love and salvation to everyone we meet.  

Abuse? I think not! 

Why do people ignore the fact that court case after court case has found our organization to be a safe and actually psychologically superior place for children to be brought up?  If any of this alleged abuse ever actually happened, it must have happened 20 or more years ago, and even then it’s questionable.  The Family is, and has always been, a safe, pleasant environment for children, a challenging adventurous life for the adolescent, and a fulfilling, inspiring life of dedication and service to God and our fellow man, for the rest of us.  

Need I say more? 

Everyone who is in the Family is here because they want to be. And those who left mostly moved on with their lives. As opposed to a vocal few who either for financial gain, or for sympathy, are spending their lives trying to blame their misfortune on their past and upbringing. I don’t need or want to be rescued from the life I have chosen. All we ask is that we are left alone to serve the Lord as we please. 

We are here to change the world one heart at a time. To make the world a better place through the love of Jesus, and our fellow man. 

Why not join us! 

In the USA you remain innocent until proven guilty. For being a land of truth and freedom, my personal rights are quickly vanishing, having been stolen from me by media shows like these, spreading untruths about my way of life. If youre seeking to broadcast truth regarding the group The Family, why dont you look into all sides, including mine?

I think if you were to thoroughly investigate you would find that there are many more happy and well adjusted young people, most who are still members of the group, and some who have left to pursue other walks of life, then angry or abused ones. Maybe the abuse wasnt as widespread as its being made out to be.

And I dont think its fair to say that because I am still a member of the group that I am somehow unable to determine or recognize abuse, or rightly choose between right and wrong. I am responsible for my own choices and decisions in life, just as you are for yours.

The generalizations about The Family being an abusive cult are simply not true. The whole cult and everyone in it are not abusers; in fact its probably a safer environment over all than many other places in the world. Its almost like saying that because you were once in a car accident involving a driver from, say, Wyoming, its highly likely that anyone residing in the state of Wyoming will most likely crash into you. So what are you going to do? Have a show where you will discuss how all people from the state of Wyoming are bad drivers and how we should suspend all drivers licenses within that state? Or that any one hoping to be a good driver moves to another state? Its a bit extreme when seen from that perspective.

(Note: no offense meant to anyone in Wyoming.)

Ive been a member of this missionary group, The Family Int., since I was 3yrs old. I am now 21yrs. I have never been abused in any way. My statement is not an excuse, as some have claimed, its simply the truth. Thank you for respecting that.

My mother (my parents are divorced) gave me all the love and care I could ever want or need, and then some. I love you mom. I have a wonderful younger sister and the coolest little brother.

The people who were my teachers and caretakers gave me the very best in every aspect; the education I received is invaluable, and I know I owe them a great deal of thanks for the positive influence they were in my life.

The most valuable and treasured gift I was given was my knowledge of God and His Son Jesus. Knowing that I have my Savior forever in my heart is the most important aspect and part of my life. Being raised with the simple truth of God sending His only Son Jesus to die for my sins (Jn. 3:16) so that I could live eternally with Him in Heaven once my life on earth is done, and being given the commission of telling others who have never heard the name Jesus, of His great love for them (Mk. 16:15), has been the most wonderful part of my life.

I know everyone doesnt believe the way I do, God created us as individuals and as such we each connect with Him in our own way, and I have a lot of respect for the beliefs and faith of others. Im glad that our country, the USA, allows us the right and freedom to believe in God, unlike some countries that arent as blessed.

Im disturbed by the fact that Im defending my self, my life, and my belief in God as if I were on trial.

Im sorry if Jim, Kristi, China, and John, experienced a difficult life, and I truly hope that they are able to find closure for the things they experienced. Maybe they could more directly address the individuals whom they feel they were hurt by instead of targeting a whole group of people. Because all of a sudden this becomes a direct attack against me and my way of life, which is hard for me to understand seeing as Ive never met any of them.

But trying to tear down my life and beliefs to somehow help them feel better about theirs doesnt seem quite right to me. Im so sorry if to some my post seems void of emotion but maybe thats due to the fact that I am not angry at anybody else. I have a happy and fulfilling life and job, I am blessed to have wonderful friends and family, and I only wish for all you who wonder about our group to come out and visit us for yourselves, then you would at least have a fair chance of making up your own mind as far as our group is concerned.

Fair enough.  

But tell me this - did we give the aforementioned individuals who wrote books grief for doing so or did we applaud them for bringing exposure to the cult?  Have we wished them well in their endeavors and do we hope that they will profit in some way (financially or otherwise), or do we hope that their books flop?  

I believe you know the answer to these questions ... 

I would assume that with your moralistic predicating you must of course be unselfishly assisting in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.  It's so easy to criticize the efforts of those who are investing their time and lives to help others, while doing absolutely nothing to make the world a better place or to help those in need.  Over 50 Family members have been donating countless hours of their time in the aftermath of the Hurricane Katrina crisis and receiving no remuneration for their efforts other than the joy of serving another.  What exactly have you invested in these efforts?  When you get out and do something, that will give you the right to speak.  Here's a quote for you: