Posted on 06/01/2010 7:53:58 PM PDT by annie laurie
Brother Gregory -- the "Brother" is more of a nickname than an occupational title -- ministers from the Oregon desert where he lives with his wife, some of his grown children and grandchildren.
Like other conservative Christians in this growing movement, Brother Gregory believes that Christianity has strayed too far from its roots, and has given its role in people's lives over to the government -- as with welfare programs or health care.
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"Christians should be looking for a way to take care of one another without forcing their neighbor to contribute to their welfare. In essence that's coveting your neighbor's goods through the agency of the governments you create."
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There is a group called Christian Exodus, and while they too believe modern Christianity is corrupt, they are a little more fired up about the role government plays. Mainly, that it shouldn't have any role at all.
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"Making the government an idol is the problem. That's what stands in the way of Christian sanctification," Humphrey says. "It's hands off mainly things like our family, our children, our bodies, our health, and even our money, the fruits of our labor. These don't belong to government."
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Christian Exodus considers itself a movement. In 2004, it tried to get its members -- some 1,500 or so who have signed up online -- to move together to South Carolina, form a community and secede from the United States.
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When the idea didn't work out, Christian Exodus then started trying to pull members together into micro-communities, through social networking, and encouraging its members to live through what it calls 'personal secession'.
"Personal secession are things like homeschooling, house churches, home gardening, home-based economics, just regaining privacy and a sense of community rather than worrying about what's going on in Washington...
(Excerpt) Read more at edition.cnn.com ...
This is the first time I've heard of these particular groups (neo-Amish?)
Well I am a Christian and will be living as “off the grid” as possible very soon but I have no plans to join a commune. Christian or otherwise.
And that is a sin.
"It is more blessed to give than to receive." when you receive aid from a Christian, it is as though Christ himself is tending to your needs and that is a great blessing. When you give to someone who is in need, you receive a plethora of spiritual blessing! When governments take care of the poor, they keep Christ from bestowing blessings on people. In that sense, big government is an "anti-Christ".
It’s a free country - right? Well, maybe not so much anymore....
I”m looking for 40 acres in Colorado farm country right now.
Conservatives should start living off cable and satv TV service because the 5 networks control 95% of the channels and they all support Obama including Fox/Saudia.
Sadly the sheep prefer being serfs as long as they have TV.
Many Mennonite congregations live a lot like this. They pay their taxes, they do business with the outside world as necessary, but they don’t vote and don’t worry about what’s going on politically in the capital or the county seat. The ones I’ve been around are some of the finest, warmest, most giving Christian people I’ve ever come in contact with.
MM (in TX)
When the idea didn’t work out, Christian Exodus then started trying to pull members together into micro-communities, through social networking, and encouraging its members to live through what it calls ‘personal secession’.
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The ‘Jesus People’ or Jesus Freaks of the late 1960’s and early 1970’s did the same thing, but they called them communes not ‘micro-societies’.
Your comment reminded me of a book I just finished: the fascinating autobiography of a woman who was raised on a Hutterite colony, but whose family left for the outside world when she was about 10 years old.
The book is very engaging and gives a marvelous glimpse into Hutterite life. If you’re interested, here it is:
I was impressed that she was able to simultaneously convey a deep respect and love for her heritage, and yet also to give a fair & balanced account of the realities (some absolutely heartbreaking) which caused her family to eventually leave the colony.
I enjoyed the book very much and recommend it highly.
We just moved from So CA back to my family farm. We live in ‘town’ but ‘town’ has about 100 people and one restaurant and gas station. No TV, we do have phone and internet, no school (kids are bused 2 towns over), 3 churches, no stress, we have half a block, a large garden, a chicken coop, and there are several farmers who keep their equipment here in town and have grain bins.
This thing is a Kool-Aid party waiting to happen.
Thanks, Annie. I’ll check that out. I’ll also admit my ignorance: What’s a Hutterite? :-)
MM (in TX)
SP, I agree that there is indeed a very serious potential for a “cult of personality” to arise in these situations.
But, I think that they also raise some valid, discussion-worthy points about preparedness, self-sufficiency, and (Christian) community interdependence ... as opposed to the prevailing culture of ever-increasing dependence on government.
I didn’t know much about them until recently, either, MM :)
They’re actually a group of “plain” people (in many ways similar to the Amish & Mennonites), who emigrated to North America from Europe in the 19th century.
Here’s a website which has some interesting info (the site is operated by the Schmiedeleut Brethren, one of three branches of Hutterites):
I discovered this site after reading the book and being interested enough to learn more about them. If you do check out the book, I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts ... it’s not exactly the kind of story that I’ll hear being discussed around the water-cooler at work ;-)
Here's a man who gets it.
Stocked up on canned tomatos last nite. Got some mayo and some vino too!
Great insight, mlocher! Thanks :)
Thanks for your kind words!
Wow,. get 40 acres a well, septic and a house and I’d be fine. Still have to have the phone and internet ‘cause I cant give up my money job just yet .... but it sounds like a slice of heaven.
Which one of the 10 commandants is not broken by the democrats/liberals/progressives/....They break all of them in the name of government and redistribution of wealth...steal, kill, covet, blaspheme God, disrespect the sabbath etc, etc, etc,...
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