In Reply to: What took us so long? (2nd try) posted by George on August 11, 2003 at 20:45:22:
I totally agree with this! I mean, what keeps some 2nd generation in who are now raising a third generation after all they have been through? I don't believe it is because they are evil people. For first and 2nd generation, there has been so much time in that they are now institutionalized, and that takes a great deal of effort to overcome. It is certainly, imo, not impossible.
I wish there were more ways to bridge the gap between generations of exers. Certainly there are differences in experience. But there are many similarities, too.
When the youth do manage to get out, they are oftentimes excelling and doing great things with their lives including providing support for other youth.
I do not think long term FGA are wantonly doing evil for the most part either. I think they are far gone as in institutionalization. Many have 30 plus yrs in! More yrs than their kids are alive. Getting out in your 50's is a daunting task. There is a huge amount of loss associated with family separations and multiple breakings and humiliations. Multiple "revolutions" as the family changes doctrine about as often as Imelda Marcos changed shoes... at least outwardly. And add to all this, stress related illnesses and illnesses as a direct result of neglect in the name of Jesus.
I would like to see support for everyone wanting to leave or trying to think about it. That, to me, is a step in the right direction.
By the same token, if someone were molested as a child in the group, it is important that their decision to prosecute a perpetrator is theirs and theirs alone. I could not suggest to anyone not to do this. Some choose to leave it behind and go on with rebuilding their lives and creating family of choice. There is so much pain all the way around!! I cannot fully know how much since I got out when my kids were pretty young and before victor camps. Even then, due to unwanted separations and lots of horror within, there was much for my family (incl. me) to overcome. How much more so for exers with a lot more time in the family before leaving and for those born and raised in it? I hope for healing and for as many as possible to get out and find help and support.