From: Elizabeth@ (Name changed for protection of identity)
Date: Sat, 22 Nov 1997 23:05:02 GMT
To: ingo@user1.channel1.com
Subject: moonies

Dear Ingo,

I am a 15 year old girl and my Mother has been a member of the unification church for the past 20 years. 5 years ago she was 'blessed' to my step-dad and they currently live in England with their 2 new children. I live away from the moonies now. I am staying with my Grandmother in Scotland. I feel like part of my youth has already been wasted, whislt my mum used to go out fundraising I would sit on my own on the top floor of the centre waiting for mum to come home. My mum is so unhappy now. She is lonely, depressed and she has 2 kids to look after. Her husband is always out fundraising and my mum is left at home in a damp flat all day minding the children. No one ever visits her and she lives her life for the church. I am lucky to have grown up not believing , although I have watched many of my friends being 'sucked in' as their parents are all leaders etc. I want my Mum to leave the church but she still thinks I am a believer and her mind is totally focused on 'True father"
Thank you so much for writing this page, I can really relate to your story. I am very sorry for what you have been through but you are lucky you got away!!

My e-mail address is ... and my name is ...

If you want to send her an e-mail, you may contact me and I'll check with her if it's ok.

Here's my response to her:

Dear Elizabeth!

Thank you for your feedback. You really touched my heart with your story, honey. I'm thinking about what it must have been like for you and my eyes are filled with tears. Gosh, you must be such a strong, courageous young lady to have made it through this ordeal without losing your mind! Despite all the suffering you apparently realize the value of your not having been "sucked in". That is very good and demonstrates your strong character!

Liz, I wish you all the very best for your life. If you ever get a chance, I would advise you to get some counseling with someone who understands cults, to work through some of the issues of heartwrenching abandonment etc. you have experienced. If you like, you can also write some of your feelings to me - it sometimes helps to just express them to someone. I know how hard it is to find someone to talk about these things with ...who won't just think you're crazy cause they haven't experienced anything like it.

Someone once told me, "the best way to 'get back at them' is to live a good life!" Don't be defeated, hon. Set some meaningful goals for your life - the world is open to you! And ...always remember gratefully: YOU ARE FREE!!! Unlike all those poor souls still caught in the web of the Unification Church - who don't even realize they're caught!

As you noticed, I am trying to expose the unspeakable suffering the UC is creating in people's lives. Hence - would you mind if I published your letter on my page - WITHOUT your personal information, of course?! ...You see, for me sharing about my experiences is a way to process them - and I don't mind the world to know what incredible atrocities the UC commits every day while claiming to be the "one and only true church" etc.

Take care, hon & stay in touch.
yours sincerely
Ingo