[FreedominJesusChrist]

John Winthrop's 'City on a Hill' sermon was not about communes. That is the wackiest interpretation that I have ever heard. It was a sermon about America being the shining city on the hill through strong morals and living the life of a Christian. He was envisioning a more moral and God-fearing society, not a commune 70's style.

[Hemingway's Ghost]

Winthrop's speech was most definitely about communal living. Perhaps you should try not to filter every single word through modern experience. Here it is again if you care to read it.