Chapter Nine
Communities
It seems appropriate that a chapter on communities should follow the one on Social Inventions. We tend to think of communities as just those living together in a geographical area like the suburbs or villages. However, there are other communities that are formed by people gathering together with some special common interest, be it religious, spiritual, environmental or a particular secular theme. Such communities are becoming more popular over time.
Because of the uncertainties of the future and the likelihood that large urban metropolitan areas will suffer severely, it is almost certain that more people will choose some type of alternative community. This chapter therefore is offered to those who can visualize such a move, and maybe sooner than later.
Some well-known religious communities are described first.
A. Religious Communities
We have included, under this heading, the Hutterites, Amish and Mennonites all of which had their roots in the Reformation in Europe of the 16th century. This was the time when Martin Luther began the Reformation, effec- tively separating church from state.
Once the Bible was available to the public in printed form, those few that were literate, could judge for them- selves what was their true way to God. During this period the Anabaptists arose where they believed that the bap- tism ceremony was not appropriate for infants but rather reserved for adults that knowingly and willingly confessed their faith. Differences in beliefs arose from that and the Hutterites, Mennonites and Amish were the result.
Because of persecution of these Anabaptists, they in their various forms were driven out of their own country in Europe and fled to other parts of the world.
The lifestyle of the Hutterites and Amish were somewhat similar in that they espoused the simple and peaceful agricultural and communal life. The Biblical reference is their guide in Acts 2, verses 44-45:
ACT 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common.
ACT 2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
So in these communities the land was owned in common and the individual had no possessions. Admin- istration was by an elected group of elders and clothing and life necessities were distributed to the individuals according to need. Speaking generally, the pastor was the clerical authority, men came next, then women in order of authority. Men and women ate separately; suffering was an accepted part of their belief system. Education was limited to classes within the community; post secondary education outside the community was discouraged. These communities were agricultural based and they lived sim- ply within their community. The Mennonites have been split into several factions and not all follow these strict social rules.
These groups tried to live self sustainably but now with the advent of large commercial farms are currently having a difficult time economically. Besides, the mod- ern way of life is attracting the young people to leave the community in search of a less restrictive life. Growth is within the group, no outsiders are invited to join.
These simple agricultural communities are ideal for a sustainable planet and should be supported and encouraged.
B. Sanctuaries
Jack and Marcia Kelly wrote a book Sanctuaries1) which is described by them as "A Guide to Lodgings in Monasteries, Abbeys, and Retreats of the United States". My wife and I found the document very useful when travelling by car in the U.S. One New Year's Eve we stopped for the night at one we found from the book on our trip through New York State, "The Abode of the Message" in New Lebanon, N.Y. It turned out to be a delightful experi