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Getting Support : Speaking Out
Let Brotherly Love Continue | from JP200 - Saturday, January 19, 2008
accessed 838 times This is a letter my friend and I wrote after an incident we had with a Family Home in Thailand. We submitted it to the Myconclusion people or whatever they're called and of course they didn't post it so I'm posting it here to hopefully get some feedback. I'm the "friend" that is talked about in the letter. Any Ex members out there who did a stint in Thailand will probably be able to relate. Enjoy! I'm a former family member who's moved on with my life. I'm not intentionally malicious, and have neither the time nor the desire to actively hinder the family's way of life. After two years of no contact with other family members in Thailand, the opportunity arose for my friend (just in from the US ) and I to visit a family home.
Both of us spent 16 years in the family in Thailand and a total of 18 years in the family. Both of us have parents who are members of the board in SEA and are actively involved in CTP's and projects in SEA. Given this reason we decided to visit some people whom we lived with before from the time we were little kids up to our teen years. People we've cooked countless meals for and washed millions of pieces of clothing for. We were just as much a part of that lifestyle as they were, and still are. Both of our parents and younger siblings are still family members and we could be considered supporters as we regularly donate some of our earnings to support their work.
We were actually quite excited to see the old friends from way back in the day. First off we decided to pay a visit to my mom and younger brother, along with my older sister who is still a family member and was visiting at the same time. My friend from the US knew my family very, very well as both of our families grew up together. My friend just returned from combat duty in Afghanistan and didn't know how long it would be before he had a chance to visit old friends.
Upon arrival at the Bangkok Office home we were imediately surprised by the ultra secretive air. The impression we were given was that instead of being relatives or long standing friends, we were more like intruders to a top-secret military facility like Area 51. My younger brother, before we could catch up on old times, was quick to inform me that I wasn't allowed to look around but must head straight to the quarantined back house. The same place that they put their children that had come down with communicable diseases.
Naturally we asked to say hi to everyone we knew to include the queen of the house (Michelle CO). We were told to stay put in the room while my sister went to request a royal audience. The response was a rolling of the eyes and a exasperated sigh and rebuke to her for inviting " ex members" to thier sanctuary. Michelle CO voiced an intense concern that we might have been there to lure their young people out of the family, and to post their house address on anti-family websites. All these conclusions were drawn even before we had spoken a word to the home sheperd, or even seen her in at least 6 years.
First of all we're not familiar with any anti-family websites. Secondly, any of our friends have no interest whatsoever in Michelle's house address, or what it is that she does or her hygiene habits and her failure to shave . Neither do any of us have that sort of time. I have places to be and bills to pay. My friend and his buddies have their hands quite full at the moment ousting violent regimes, setting up democracy and proper sewage systems in Iraq and Afghanistan. Her constant fear of what everyone is thinking about her just denotes either extreme arrogance or having something to hide. To add further insult, she threw out the weak excuse that she had a cold and was on her period. The same type of an excuse a girl would say when she wants to get out of having sex.
We were led to the back of the house due to me needing to use the bathroom. As we walked around beside the house, we saw two of the family young people cooking lunch. We said hi to them through the screen and barred window and introduced ourselves, exchanged some small pleasantries and continued on. At no time did the conversation have anything to do with family beliefs. While that brief, three second conversation took place, the teens were looking around nervously almost as if they were afraid of reprisals or punishments from being seen communicating with ex members.
We had a chance to bump into two adult members also. One of them knew both our parents well. The lady was nice and talked to us for awhile and asked us how we've been etc. The other, a certain Anthony, the husband of Michelle CO, passed by without saying a word and when we politely asked how he was doing, he looked at us as if we were beneath him,and finally muttered something under his breath after repeated greetings on our part. One might suggest he's socially inept.
The point of this is basically a question. Has the family changed so much in the few years that we've been out that all ex members are dangerous apostates, and don't rate normal human courtesy? I clearly remember a time when family homes' doors were always opened to visitors, people who never had anything to do with the family, and weren't even christian. They were always treated very politely and when it was possible, most of the members of the home were introduced to them, and the family members bent over backwards to make them feel at home and be a good sample of what the "family of love" is all about.
Believe you me we've participated in many embarrassing VIP shows followed by the inevitable corrections for not being a shiner, and for paying too much attention to the cookies. We've cooked many VIP meals and regularly disinfected the VIP toilet and that was considered a totally normal thing to do. This was done without discrimination, great or small, black or white, rich or poor. They even turned on the forbidden air-con and pulled out the hidden Dutch buttermilk cookies and orange juice, and treated them to a complimentary showing of their choice of SOS, TIV, 20 Minutes to Go, or a group of bedraggled and bespectacled kids sporting the latest jagged hair cut, stumbling through the door singing the Loy Krathong song.
Is this a totally foreign concept now? Are ex members not allowed to visit blood relatives? Is this a world-wide family member ideal or just the actions of some renagade home that runs a monarchy, and lets the charter sit on the shelf and collect dust? Is it because I work for a living and no longer pass out pamphlets? Is it because my friend is a US marine and has some tattoos, and works for Babylon the whore? Does the fact that he went to Afghanistan make him a murderer? What happened to "My family, My family" or "look not on the outward appearance? Did our many years in the family not count for anything? Does the fact that we still financially support some of our parents projects not count for anything?
All they suceeded in doing to former members who try their best to forgive and forget, was to open and pour salt into old wounds. So much for love thy neighbour, or if any man say he loves God he's a liar if he loves not his brother. Love your brother, love your sister for they could be dead tomorrow. That statement couldn't be more true in my friends case. Oddly, as soon as we were gone they confronted my sister on what our beliefs were and gave her a stern rebuke for inviting her brother to see his younger brother, and to give him a bag of chips.
Why couldn't they have just asked us and confronted us on our beliefs if it was such a big deal? We would've been more than happy to tell them that the object of the visit was just that.... a visit... and a chance to use the bathroom. Which turned out to be a hard and arduous process.
Did the young people of the home require a cleansing prayer against evil spirits after we merely said hi and introduced ourselves? My friend was bombarded with questions of "did you really oppress innocent people and steal oil"? Similar to the way the hippies called returning GI's baby killers. Why is it that they're very free to question what we do but we can't raise questions about any of their principles or ways of operating, including tax evasion. We did everything in our power to not talk about our past experiences in the family or to belittle their decision to stay there and to respect their views.
We came without a judgemental attitude but in stark contrast we were biasely judged without concrete evidence. Is this the way it is everywhere now? Do we need to break all contact with family members because they don't want to have anything to do with us anymore? We're just people who are law abiding citizens who pay annual taxes, and even help the neighbour take out her trash.
I guarantee their kings and supporters don't get the cold shoulder when they stop by with the intent of giving a donation. I'm sure they've got clear access to the bathroom and are steered clear of the chicken pox room. Was it money related? Are they only nice to potential supporters? We're not family members just like their supporters and potential disciples. The only difference is our actual relatives live in family homes. So you would think that we would've been warmly received. We thought so too. We were sadly mistaken, shown the way to the gate and the nearest taxi. It was a real slap in the face but don't worry we'll turn the other cheek. |
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Reader's comments on this article Add a new comment on this article |  from figaro
Monday, January 21, 2008 - 13:22
(Agree/Disagree?)
I don't think I would have been able to keep my cool. They would have had to send every male member out to physically overpower me. I wonder if they would have started trying to rebuke the devil out of me? They can go ahead and try, wouldn't be the first time they tried and nothing happened!
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| | | |  From figaro
Monday, January 21, 2008, 22:38
(Agree/Disagree?)
All the better. Personally, I don't think I could ever visit a home, I would be VERY aggressive. I wouldn't be surprised in the least if it turned physical pretty quickly. I wonder how they would deal with that, would the keys suddenly turn into swords and cut me asunder? Would they just pray against, and rebuke me, or would they have the balls to actually face me? They would most likely tell the teen boys to fight me and lay down their lives to save the cowardly home shepherds. I wonder how far I could go before they realized that they would need the help of the "romans" (police), and of course, if it went that far they would pat themselves on the back for being able to use the devils own soldiers (the police) against him! "How smart we are, how foolish the devils is, his own forces defeated him, wow we are clever!!"
Morons!(reply to this comment) |
| | from Marc
Monday, January 21, 2008 - 06:02
 (Agree/Disagree?)
Um, you allowed them to "escort" you about their compound? Why did you not _demand_ to go anywhere you pleased? Demand to see your old friends! Demand to see anyone you wished! What? Were they going to call the police on you if you did not comply? No. No. No. You should have called their bluff! Do not tell me these idiots still have that kind of control over you?
The next time you visit that hell-hole, go about as you please, when you please! And make them offer you a fresh glass of "shaken-not-stirred" anytime you fancy!
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| | | | From Ne Oublie
Monday, January 21, 2008, 15:41
(Agree/Disagree?)
Just a minute here - what kind of person goes into someone else's house and "demands" to do as they wish? While I have no sympathy for the way that home treated these two guests, the fact of the matter is that they were guests, and all that what you recommend is likely to achieve is a quick escort to the outside of their gated compound. It's not a question of them 'having control over' anyone, but rather common courtesy as a guest - whether or not the host is doing likewise.(reply to this comment) |
| | | | | from I relate
Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 22:06
(Agree/Disagree?)
Having grown up under the regine in Thailand, run by the serial rapist Silas Richard Douthit, who pimped his own daughters out, during the MWM days, and on throughout the time in the Phillipines with the help of his weirded-out ex-wife Sandra Gail Douthit, I can say I relate.
We were very controlled as young teenagers, and the group's history of mis-treating current members and much less children who have left is of epic proportions.
I visited a few years back and the ASCRO office sent out a memo to all homes telling them that an apostate of vicious intent was visiting and that no one was to have anything to do with me etc. ... Whereas just a little while earlier everyone I knew who was there was writing asking for money etc. ...
The first time I went there after I left, I guess before Rick passed away, they were pretty relaxed and wanted to appease me to prevent me from becoming an enemy. But I found out that everyone I talked to was asked to write a report about every interaction etc. ...
Silas has knocked up so many of the cult women there with armies of children and has now moved on to someone who was a Junior Teen when I was there, his latest concubine, one in a long line. Granted at this point she's over 18, which is better than his rapist activities in Greece and the Phillipines back in the day, but it's still clearly an abuse of the trust his "flock" put in him. The guy is a major thug and even Zerby an Peter are scared of him because of the dirt he has on them. The guy has a felony rap sheet out of the state of Florida, where he was a heroin dealer before joining and helps himself to all the latest fashion etc., in his current situation, not to mention lining up all the women in the home for "dates" when he shows up, especailly the young ones, while he pockets monies from the group's shows and performances etc. ...
Very sad. ...
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | from notyetdrunk
Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 18:32
(Agree/Disagree?)
It's because they are afraid of us. They are afraid of the truths we tell. They are afraid that when their youth see us and see that we are not the freaks and the drug addicts that they say we are the youth will realize they have been lied to. We are normal and yet we say things they don't want to hear. They don't want to respect us because we are the children they tried to break, we are the children they put the hand to the plow and did not look back at so they could be fit for the kingdom of God.
They are shamed because we are not what they wanted us to be despite all that they did to us. We are proud, we are smart, we are beautiful, we are everything we hoped to be and nothing that they planned for us to be broken, despised, rejected of man. This is not you this is them. Hooray for you, shame on them.
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| from no name
Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 18:07
(Agree/Disagree?)
Thailand, I think, is the mother of all hellish places for TF. There are people in other countries who don't have major bamboo poles up their rear ends, and who are actually friendly and accomodating, and in some cases even respectful of former Family members. Its impossible to expect an extended hand from the freaks in Thailand. Of course, there are the rare exceptions, but its just a weird weird place. Even 1st gen members have commented on how they feel like the chains of oppression broke when they were able to escape ASCRO. Those poor deluded members. They think by keeping their young people prisoner, they'll keep them.
I remember some hellish trips to the OH in Bangkok. Our family was classified persona non grata, and so we were made to stand outside for hours at a time, not being able to go inside the hallowed halls, and if any of us did have to go to the bathroom, we were met with, well, actually the young people were told to stay away from us, so we were met with nothing except blank stares. Its enough to make my blood boil when I think about our treatment now. But actually, its just pathetic and sad. Why waste good emotion on them and the past.
Sorry for your treatment. I think those people are to be pitied. They seem so deficient.
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| | | | from lotstoforget
Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 16:13
(Agree/Disagree?)
Well, you are definitely deserving commendation for your civil assessment of the situation in the home you visited. I think I would have lost my cool or at the very least would have been cynical, cantankerous and down right confrontational.
What a sad bunch of losers! Rest assured they’re digging their own graves, slowly but surely. The blind leading the blind, falling into that proverbial ditch – very soon. We really don’t have to put our thumbs on the scale too much. They are doomed!
We can try all sorts of law suits and what nots, but in the end, just rest assured, they will kill themselves. Give‘em enough rope and they will hang themselves. They are well on their way to do it. Just sit back and watch!
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| from rainy
Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 15:27
(Agree/Disagree?)
Excellent article! I'm sorry for you, but it was great fun to read. Actually, it's extremely depressing as well because I'd love to visit my sister in Mexico and I've heard South America's as bad as Thailand? Anyone know?
I'm pretty sure Thailand's one of the worst of the worst as far as cultishness goes. When I went to India, I thought the extreme fanaticism and restrictive lifestyle was bordering on an unrealistic joke, but apparently they were liberal compared to Thailand. You poor things.
They're just so paranoid!
At the moment I'm trying to organise a reunion for Australian ex and current second generation family members together. I don't want it to be pro or anti family. We were all born into the family and I think we are, in a way, siblings, and we have a right to re-visit our bonds without letting all that religious shit and all those stupid restrictions that are not a part of who we really are come into it. It's just about we young people, where we came from and who we are now. It's defiantly refusing to make religion or the lack of it an issue. Any Aussies out there who want to come, contact me on kylierain@gmail.com Strictly second generation only. All welcome.
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| from exfamily
Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 12:48
(Agree/Disagree?)
It's not like this all over. In Italy for example, of course they will be somewhat on alert for any "negative influences" (seeing that we're infected with them blood-sucking Vandari), but in the few homes I visited since leaving TF, I've never known them to be like that. Quite friendly, all things considered.
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| from Ne Oublie
Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 10:50
(Agree/Disagree?)
Thailand's always been paranoid - even of current Family members.
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