Possible cult?

[Amy]

[Ian]

[Karen]

I've been past their church many times - it's in the town where we often rent a house for our summer vacation. Here's their homepage:

[Ian]

[Amy]

Thanks...I did check out their site, but it's not like they have a big banner saying, "We're a freaky cult" or anything. :) I Googled it, but there's not much except their own stuff. Fortunately, we have a friend who lives near there. We happened to mention it, and he's going to research for us. Thanks anyway. :)

[Shadowland Dweller]

[Carrie]

I don't have a problem with a Christian commune. After all, many of the early Christians lived in close fellowship with each other. What makes it a cult is the doctrine. I don't know anything about the doctrine of this group, however.

[tangent]

Duplicate post.

[tangent]

I went to a meeting many years ago when four members of a Christian commune came to describe their life together. They made a point of saying that they shared everything. When asked if they shared their husbands, one of the girls simply replied, "we share everything".

[Shadowland Dweller]

[Shadowland Dweller]

[Pizza Man]

[soul101]

I agree with pizza man... I've mentioned the Bruderhof community in Germany on here a few times, who are a great example of good community living.

On the flip-side, my dad had a young guy working for him who had lived in a Benedictine Monastery, and had some seriously dodgy theologies...
Just so you know, I have a great respect for monks and monasteries, and don't believe this one guy is indicative of the order...

[Shadowland Dweller]

sorry, didn't mean to imply that all who sequester themselves away are in danger of heresy, as I was writing that I was imagining the newer groups to have come along. I will say though that I don't think any person should spend a lifetime away from all who don't believe exactly as they do, or practice their faith the same way. Jesus lived a life of obedience in the middle of a sinful world. Too many think that by taking themselves away from the "sin" that they will be okay, but here on earth one can never get away from sin. We can remove ourselves from specific sins, but other ones will be right there. I agree with taking times away from outside influences to have concentrated time with God, to listen to what He is needing to tell us, but not removing ourselves from the world we are supposed to be showing our light to. The goal shouldn't be to remove ourselves from the sin by moving away from influences, but to have a relationship so close with God that those outside influences don't sway our faith and obedience.

[halhelms]

I lived in the Community for 7 years and have close contact with many others who were here 20 years or more. It is a very destructive cult that separates families (children don't live with their parents), demands high levels of financial support, and insists the leaders be followed with absolute obedience. I'd be happy to reply to any specifics.