In Reply to: Posting posted by Steve Matheson on August 10, 2005 at 16:53:02:
This posting was refreshing. My own perspective is one of someone born into the family and now left. I, like many others of the second generation had become frustrated The Family doctrines, but also with the blindness that seems to allow so many intelligent people to unquestioningly enact bizarre and destructive doctrines. (I liked that story about the “crystals”)
Steve has done some real soul searching here. Prompted by his own terrible loss, he has allowed himself to question the spirituality that has guided his life for such a long time. At a price, he has been forced to examine the flaws that so many other family members are scared to see.
It is refreshing to get a view on The Family’s current situation from a normal member’s standpoint. This writing compliments those such as James Penn’s. Where James is precise and secular, Steve is raw and honest and forces some real thought on The Family’s doctrines from a spiritual standpoint.
The good thing is that it is not all negative. Steve also presents some solutions and hope. This guy does have something important to say. I can't quite understand why this writing hasn't been given more publicity on this site. I myself stumbled on it by accident I only wish a writing such as this could be read by other first generation Family members.
This is a very powerful testimony thanks Steve for having the courage to share it.
Yours truly
Charlie