I'll share a story from one of my visits to Bellvale. Three highschool boys had borrowed some tools. They had finished their task, and went off to do some fishing. When an elder went to use the tools, they had but been returned. The next day, Sunday, the community gathered for a meeting. ("Church") At the meeting the boys stood up, and publicly apologized for being neglectful. They felt they'd let their elder down. They were very emotional, and you could feel their sorrow. The elder stood up, and publicly forgave these boys. They hugged, and the meeting went on. This, right here, is what makes community work. Accountability. Love. Admission of sin. Forgiveness. It was a beautiful day.
I am muslim woman from Spain, and I thought to tell you that i find it so nice to listen to you and how much i agree with the way you see life and your values. Lots of love
Hi Laura, I was raised a Mormon, and left the church many years ago, I plan on moving with my husband to a boat and sailing for the rest of our lives, my kids are grown and married. I think your way of life is lovely, I really respect your devotion. I wish I could say I am strong enough to join you, but I am a wanderer. Thank you for bravely taking on some tough questions and for sharing your faith.
"Please don't ask about accountability. Please don't ask what we're going to do with the money you give us to join." A "culture of obedience" is a culture that doesn't like its members asking questions about what its leaders are doing. "Resources are equally shared." How do you know that when you're told to be simply obedient? Opposes capitalism? The communities are serious businesses, and clearly earn a lot of dosh. You can't keep a pyramid scheme afloat for years and years and years. There's definitely a solid income, and good cash flow. Everyone lives well. They've got well equipped facilities. They've got doctors, dentists, lawyers, etc. in their communities (so they claim), and those degrees don't come for free. More power to 'em, I say, but anti-capitalistic? Absolutely not. They've built a community folks are eager to join, and I think would be a good life for a lot people. But they aren't shunning capitalism in the least.
You've had to tackle more and more difficult and pointed questions lately and I'm impressed with how you've addressed them -- well thought through and tactful. Thank you for your devotion to the Kingdom and to presenting the Bruderhof in as open a way as possible with these videos.
I find it so uplifting that my Christian beliefs line up so well with this community! I have no plans on joining, but I love that you’re actually living as the Bible says instead of just following a leader and what they tell you the Bible says. ❤️ all the love to you and your community!
Your answer to the first question was not what was expected because it was not of the world. It shows you are a true Christian. Thank you for your channel, it is great!
Great answers to tough questions Laura. The more I read about the Bruderhof and listen to your videos, the more inclined I am to make a visit of discernment. Thank you.
I was raised outside the church and know very little about religion. That said I appreciate and respect the community concept and being on the outside looking in I can easily understand the appeal and benefit. Laura, I enjoy your videos and appreciate your patience and willingness to teach us about yourself. You are sharp girl :)
Shalom! As a fellow believer in Messiah I am surprised I have never heard of this community. But then again, I do not watch TV or have any social media platform other than CZcams if one considers that social media. Thank you Laura and to the community for sharing your life and ways with us. It has always been a dream and vision of mine well before I became a follower of having a community very much like yours. Father, we thank You for the testimonies of the great company of brothers and sisters throughout the world, who are redeemed by the blood of Messiah and members together of His Body. Unite us together as one in prayer and praise, and may we be sensitive to the needs of one another and daily lift one another up to Your throne of grace, so that we may find mercy and grace to help in these difficult times of need and necessity. Protect and provide for each member of the Church and lend Your support, encouragement and strength to all that are facing the increasing trials, tribulations and persecutions that are so prevalent in our world today. Help us all to walk in the light as You are in the light. Draw us together in love, unite us together in fellowship, and sustain and strengthen each one of us in our Christian walk. In Yahshua's name we pray, Amen.
i love it how you start all your videos with a little chat. Your Ideas of Life, Religion and the whole concept of dedicating your whole life to God and your community is so inspiring. May the Almighty bless u! kindest regards from a german muslim.
It's... Communism with religious purposes. Don't kill me haha, it's actually true. I don't mean it as an insult: the economic sharing of resources with equal access to it, enabled by common labour, is the definition of communism ;) (I say that from France, a socialist country where communism isn't bad word but something to study in history, economics and sociology class ;)
@@amyhatch3761 I think he means that the idea behind Christ's teachings and the gospels is pretty similar to the theoretical principles of communism. After all didn't he tell a rich man to leave all his possessions and give them to the poor? Sounds like redistribution of property to me
Laura, you seem very kind and your simplicity is very inspirational. I do have a comment about capitalistic societies, however. Capitalistic societies, like the United States, tend to foster an environment for religious freedom and diversity. This is not always the case for other types of economic systems unfortunately.
That's less a function of capitalism and more a correlation. Correlation does not imply causation. Freer societies tend to prefer freer economic market models.
I remember there is a Quaker church in Camas, Washington. It kinda reminds me of your community to an extent. Never had a chance to attend a service sadly enough when living in Washougal, WA
There is nothing wrong with capitalism if it is done right. The Bible does not condemn prosperity. It's what you do with your profits that counts. Read the parable at Luke 12:16-21. Young people are being misled about this. How do you think America achieved such a high standard of living for its citizens? Under what system do you think the innovations such as the telephone, electric lights, etc. came from? Communism? The West under capitalism brought the world out of darkness. Where we've gone wrong is to allow crony-capitalism to take over. Because the likes of Zuckerberg, Bezos and Gates do not follow Christian ethics, they are driven by greed and the desire to use their money and influence to control everyone else on the planet. This is what gives true free-market capitalism a bad name. What we need is more Christian entrepreneurs....
@@sassy3923Greed? You have no idea what you're talking about. Bill Gates has done more to better life on earth for humanity than any other human being to have ever lived. He has already donated over $50 BILLION of his personal wealth to charitable causes and he's not done yet. Mark Zuckerberg and his wife have already donated $400 MILLION to charitable causes. Jeff Bezos has donated over $2 Billion to fund education programs. You just called 3 of the world's biggest philanthropists greedy🤣
@@thisishowiedewitt76 If their charity was so effective why is the standard of living in America the worst it has ever been since the Great Depression? Walmart and Amazon destroyed the family businesses. Big agriculture destroyed the family farms. You're talking about the real wealth of America being stripped from Americans and funneled to a few people at the top and all the people are left with are debt and rent-a-jobs at the big box stores.
I am not a Christian but I really rnjoy your videoes. Learning about your community is so interestibg because un-like other more humble societies, you are do open and seem non-judgemental. Also, I appreciate the dedication and particularly the sence of community. I'm from Denmark which is a docially democratic country but in all hobedty I wish more places would slign with the community thought.
Enjoyed your answers to these interesting questions .Debt should always be paid off as quickly as possible , Scripture warns that one is not to be a slave to debt .
Scripture warns rather more, I think, for creditors to forgive debtors and thereby not be agents of poor debtors' enslavement - from the astonishingly radical laws of Jubilee in Deuteronomy (and/or Leviticus?) to prevent social equalities, especially in unequal amassing of ownership of land, and onwards to the Gospels - in parable and not the least, the Lord's Prayer!! Also, of course, usury was forbidden in Judaism, Christianity for its first centuries, and Islam. We Christians would do well in our debt-ridden times to look at the current principles of Islamic finance and lending. Also, at Western governments' vast dependence for credit on the Chinese totalitarian State.
Thank you so much for answering, what I imagine, these sometimes challenging questions. I am also discerning a call to your community. Your lives are lived out in such a beautiful way-I continue to seek out the ultimate word of God in my own life. Many blessings to all of you!
the painting you put up at the end of this video is really beautiful, i’d love to see more&know your thought process behind them💕i hope branson gets better soon!
Hi Laura, thanks for answering so many interesting questions. Regarding your response to the video length- the youtube algorithm favours videos over 10minutes. Thus, if you made the videos longer (10min 3 seconds for example) youtube would suggest your videos to more Interested viewers- thus growing your exposure. I understand you aren’t perhaps seeking to gain a large following however optimizing your videos for the youtube algorithm would allow more people who are already searching for Christian topics to learn about Bruderhof.
I don't know the history behind the relationship between the Bruderhof and the Huttarites but for some reason the two split, so I've been told. I've heard that the Hutterites are somewhat more controlling in terms of mail that is sent to a given member or what types of media is consumed and utilized by members. I've also heard having access to outside family for either group may be difficult if someone is a member. Thanks!
Hi! We had a long relationship with some (not all) Hutterite communities. There are several branches of the Hutterite church and we were fully connected just to one. The causes of the break in the relationship were complex and I don't think anyone completely understands them. I and we continue to hope that one day this kind of separation can be overcome.
Hello Laura! Thank you so much for posting these videos and for helping us learn more about how the Bruderhof live and serve God. I have a question for you, but I understand if it is too sensitive a subject to talk about. What is the Bruderhof's stance on unmarried mothers? Do they allow them to join? For example, when I was 17, I strayed away from God, became pregnant, and had a child. A few years later, I repented and went back to God. While I understand that what I did was a sin, but I do feel that he was truly meant to be here and I am trying my best to raise him to follow and serve god.
Hello Elizabeth! Absolutely unmarried mothers are welcome. There are a number of single parents living on our communities. Your son is absolutely meant to be here and is a gift from God as are all children. Thank you for asking.
Do the Bruderhof respect different dietary choices? For example, if someone didn’t want to eat meat, are there choices of meals without? Also, how do they deal with dietary requirements such as lactose intolerance or food allergies? I know these can be difficult to accommodate.
Hi Laura, again you are so clear in answering the many questions you get, I learn a lot and thanks for your honesty and openness! I was wondering if you could tell me how much or if the Bruderhof has changed in being a community over the so many years they exist?
So after being part of a church community that became a cult, there was no financial accountability, from the elders, there was a form of spiritual accountability that was built on confession of sin and guilt. So im very dubious and suspicious when you avoid financial and accountability questions. And although the memebers where extrememly accountable the leaders are all in process of being had up for money laundering and fraud. This is current. This is a Mission in South Africa and internationally called Kwa Sizabantu. You can read all about it on KSB Alert on the internet.
@@LaurafromtheBruderhof Hello, Laura, thanks for tackling tough questions. I would like to suggest that young members such as you become familiar with the history of the Bruderhof; both the good, the bad, and (very unfortunately) the ugly. Allow yourself to be exposed not only to the "official story", but also to that those the "vanquished" tell. The emergent composite sketch of our Common Story, one that unflinchingly owns the highs and lows, will give us all a BALANCED view of what has happened over the course of time. When you say, "I wasn't around for most of it," it feels as though you are brushing aside the darker periods of our history and the terrible suffering people endured. Unless we learn from our common story and make an effort not to repeat past mistakes (it starts by owning them) they are likely to be repeated. I mean this in a helpful, non-criticall way. Keep inchin' along...
@2:14 "join and have debt" Great topic! Another example is: you are divorced and have children in a country where there are no state benefits for children and the family there is a rebellious mess, SO you are still supporting them until they are grown. This is basically like a debt, which you cannot get rid off/cancel by declaring bankruptcy due to the moral liability. - Could Bruderhof act like a "trustee relationship" meaning when you join, you hand over your posessions to Bruderhof and Bruderhof on the other side ensures that monthly payments go out to those children from these posessions until they are grown? Trustee relationship - a viable option? Sort of like Boaz released Ruth, the stranger :-)
I have a question for you lovely Laura from the Bruderhof:) If we think of the new testament according to Paul, much of this was taken from his letters to the early churches (30 years after Jesus death or so I think) when he was imprisoned, tortured for his beliefs, he took to opportunity to spread the word of Jesus, he even persuaded the people holding him captive to convert Christianity, he took a positive view of telling the story of Jesus in the darkest of places, letters he wrote in this time (unknown to him at the time) formed the new testament that we all know and love today, do you ever feel like doing something like this? Of course not to this extreme, but outside the Bruderhof voicing the story of Jesus to those that need this the most?
Hi Matt! That's a challenge we take very much to heart and at any given time we have members traveling and living outside of our established communities in order to spread the love of Jesus. Ultimately though we hope our life together attests to the fact that Jesus can completely transform all aspects of life - economic, social, political, and cultural.
@@LaurafromtheBruderhof Hi Laura, giving to others, walking in the shoes of those less fortunate then ourselfs without reward or favour is a blessing. Thank you for replying:)
How does higher education work? I saw that your dad was a doctor. In the community, would the money come from the group or would there have to be an individual student loan? How would you get a student loan when, I assume, you have no credit history or proof of individual income?
Be careful about taking in people who have debt. There are those who would definitely take advantage of the opportunity to have you help them pay off their loans only to have them leave once they were "free." A better way would be to have them work to pay off their debt first. As they are doing this they can visit or even stay for short periods of time. This would make them take responsibility for their debt while providing an opportunity for each party to get to know each other.
I believe they would have to resolve their debt before joining. And, for the one who commented and was going to get their debt discharged, they are not ready to join a faith based community -- because God expects us to keep our word and when we borrow money, He expects us to pay it back!
From what she said I imagine one could form in a communist society seeing at there attitudes are already pretty communist. However there is not many true communist countries in the world and countries who are close to communist (or say they are communist) are either lying, or struggling politically and economicly either from outside or inside influences that communitys like the bruderhof would stuggle to form or even get there ideas and existence known in such countries.
Would a "fully transitoned" trans man be welcomed as a celibate male member in a Bruderhof? I understand the implications of non-celibacy of a transgender person in a Christian community but I'm interested to know if a transgender person would be welcomed to work and live within the community
so long as 'he' is willing to be known as the woman she is, I believe....Being able to be completely Truthful is vital in community. Receiving Jesus, who is tehe Truth, means not living a lie about oneself
What about rejection or abandonment? Are there any reasons for rejecting person? A person who choose to abandon the community is allowed to see with family? Thank you ❤
Being that they are a devout Christian community, I’m going to take a wild guess and say no. Nor should they have to, regardless of the views of others. Their community, their rules.
anyone who wishes to join the community would have to agree with and follow their statement of faith. So , if the individual does agree --than yes .. if they don't agree - they probably would not be interesting in joining anyway if they do not agree with the lifestyle. :-)
Hi Laura. To me Brudehof seem similar to Amish. I know that Amish couples typically have heaps of kids. How many kids do brudehof couples typically have?
" I'm too sensible to believe in something for which there isn't an iota of evidence" sounds like you are not ready to live in a Christian community, but should keep seeking until you are in alignment with Christian beliefs and ethics
So no one brings anything to the table but you are moved out of your home if you are needed for one reason or another? No autonomy to make your own decisions about where you want to live? Actually everyone is bringing something if they are working and putting in their time and energy for the betterment of the whole.
It startled me when she said capitalism is contrary to Christianity-built on greed? maybe-but hard work pays off and everyone has a chance to better themselves in America
@@LaurafromtheBruderhof I think you should be very careful judging that all capitalism is just self interest. Men work in obedience to God's will, to feed and care for their families. If God prospers them, they are then able to help those in need around them. Those who do so (such as Job did) are doing God's will. Only those who use their profit only for themselves are self-serving. Those who profit in their work, and who use their profits to benefit others are not self-serving. Would you condemn Job, who was very wealthy?
Can you still see none members of your family and friends? Can they visit you? Do you have any say where you live? Especially thinking of having to take care of family who are none members
Hi Laura, should academically inclined people give up their academic life to join Bruderhof? Can you even get accessed to academic published papers or books in the community?
Hi Sergio! Yes you can access academic books and such in the community. Whether an someone should give up academics to join the Bruderhof is up to them. Everyone is welcome.
I've been curious about the Bruderhof since I first learned of them in the early eighties. I'm 59 years old and in good working condition. I wonder if I'm too old to become a member?
Question: Does the Bruderhof have members from different ethnic backgrounds? If so, how do they adapt culturally with the group? Does the Bruderhof disapprove interracial marriages?
Yes we have people from different ethnic backgrounds. And we have a number of interracial couples. It's a beautiful thing. Every culture/background brings something important to the table so I think it's not so much about adapting to the group as it is appreciating where everyone comes from.
I have a question...... How do the bruderhof earn money to support the communities if most everyone works to help within the community? Are there certain people who have higher paying jobs outside the community?
We have a bunch of businesses that most of the members of the community work in that support the communities. More info here: www.bruderhof.com/en/life-in-community/working-together
How common is it for people to be lonely and unmarried in the Bruderhof? Is there an imbalance of genders, somewhat like the wider world where women are in increasingly higher demand compared to men? One of my biggest fears for joining would be ending up alone and unmarried due to obviously fewer people in the Bruderhof than on the outside. My apologies if you've answered this before. Thanks.
I am actually 12k in debt due to moving costs and taxes. So the debt question was pertinent What happens if joining is permissable.. .but what about the debt? How would that be handled?
If your spouse is deceased, then you can remarry (marriage is considered til death do us part) and there is no age limit (she answered these questions previously)
@@LaurafromtheBruderhof I understand that, my sister I do follow Jesus peace upon him in fact i can't be a Muslim without Believe in Jesus Christ. may God Bless us all ❤ thank you
I never understood religion, why is it so important to be loved by a god? What does it do to you? Other than a feeling... I do not get the concept. Why don't you formulate your own self, and your own mindset of right and wrong, and follow the rules in your country. Shouldnt that be enough to be a humble person? Why does somebody invisible have to be involved to make it valid? I do not come from a mean place, but a curious one. It just doesnt make sense to me.
Nice to hear you are not interested in money. Are you sure??? Members seek to live like early Christians, sharing incomes and handing over all their possessions, which are not returned if they leave..
Maybe it's due to a career in law enforcement, but I wonder how the Bruderhof community would handle a creep, a pervert, a sociopath, or anyone else bent on taking advantage. (I am a Quaker, and I'm not even sure how we would handle such individuals. So far, so good.) Also, I disagree that capitalism is a system built on greed. Any Bruderhof community is a capitalist enterprise. Living collectively does not alter the fact that the community is a voluntary collective that raises capital, manufactures products, and sells those products on the open market in competition with other manufacturers. That's capitalism, and thank God for it. It's what people do whenever and wherever they're free to do it. Try that in a socialist country. Anyway, good luck.
It's unbelievable that you said Capitalism is anti-Christian. And your survival as a Christian community in such a system makes me think God is greater than Capitalism.
You're understanding of capitalism is very narrow. The Economic system of government and the consecration of ones possessions in a church setting are 2 different things. Your Bruderhofs are allowed and can function because of capitalism. Unless that is you think the state should support you. Obviously not. People trade goods and skills for money or other goods and skills and then if that individual chooses they are free to consecrate that to their church or religious community as you are. This only works because it is your free will. That is agency, a gift given to man in the Garden of Eden. Anytime consecration becomes compulsory or not a choice it is no longer a gift. That is socialism.
I have a question that pertains to an email I sent previously. Why are there no LGBT+ representation in any promotional videos I have seen? Where are they and what do you do if one member is gay? Kill them, excommunicate them? Ignore them? VERY Christian.
Or is Christianity acceptable to communists. Answer NO! Because the concept of private property is Christian. Not that being in agreement to share is contrary to Christianity. However the ability to share ones property is premised on the fact that the property is privately owned. In other words I can't just come to your community and take your tools etc. Because the community has private ownership of them.
Well, Jesus realised it requires sacrifice - which is why he said we need to pick up our crosses every day. But a focus on how much material wealth one has 'sacrificed', and a preoccupation with how it may be continually used/invested, reveals an ongoing attachment to the material, rather than a sense of liberation at 'counting all things as rubbish' in comparison to knowing Christ. A better way is to just sell everything you own, give it to the most worthy cause of your choosing (no strings attached) and then just dedicate yourself to following Christ every day without thought for food and clothing, but trusting in God's provision. One has to put ones faith in God, not in a 'system' of doing things.
@@UnPoquitoDeSal A smoker comes to the doctor. "Doctor I can hardly breathe and I have no strength." Doctor: "Stop smoking!" A hard time later. Ex-smoker: "Doctor, I'm fine. I can breathe again. And the power is back." Did the patient sacrifice smoking?
@@GreenJack451 I respectfully disagree. It is true, the Jesus followed by much of Western Christianity does not require much sacrifice. The historical person, however, demanded something altogether different.
Perhaps there is a misunderstanding of mine in the word sacrifice (I'm German: sacrifice = Opfer or Verzicht). Every decision has it pros and cons. I cannot serve two masters.
Just my thoughts on “sacrifice”. I’m enjoying the dialogue. What has to be “sacrificed” is the clinging to our little ego self. This can seem terrifying. It can seem like death itself, but it is a necessary death if we are to live fully with Christ. Paul said “I die daily”. This can be interpreted in many ways, but for me it refers to the constant letting go of the little self with all its wants and expectations. Only in letting go of the little self with all its attachments can we then wake up to our oneness with Christ in Jesus. Once you wake up to that unity, you realize that those things you thought you were sacrificing were the very things that were the cause of all of your suffering.
Dont see much diversity in your community. Do you have people of different races in your community Especially people of color. And do you have dentist and doctors in your community to keep up health care and hygiene
Yes there are people of color here - I'm going to have a friend on to discuss this issue in a video later this week. Yes there are doctors and dentists here, and if someone needs specialist care they would be referred to an appropriate doctor.
You say you oppose capitalism but you sell stuff to the outside world for a profit. Not saying that is wrong to do it isn't but it is capitalism. What happened to your airline business over in Newburg. You sold it I assume for a profit. So to say you oppose capitalism is not true. You sound like other groups who say they are outside of the "system" , They may be but the all depend on someone in the system to make it work for them. It reminds me o the jewish guy who lived down the street who would pay me a quarter to go to the store for him because it was a sin to do it on saturnday LoL. But ok to use a gentile kid to sin for him.
"Capitalism is an economic system based on greed " ?? This is a fairly bigoted or ignorant statement and I am surprised that you said it so casually. Do you actually know anything about capitalism other than what you have been told ???? It is NOT based on greed - at all. I have to suggest that you read and study on capitalism to understand about how it works and operates and why it is successful. GREED is something else entirely - you have mistakenly conflated these two things, quite ignorantly, in keeping with the current, modern, delusion affecting the world. If you are engaged in any activity or enterprise and are making a profit - AND I KNOW YOU ARE - you are participating in capitalism . Your statements have already startled and misled people - Read the comments. They can do much harm. If you are in any position of authority in your community - you need to consider posting an ERRATA on this statement you have made - and if not you need to be corrected and someone else needs to post an ERRATA. If not - you are already doomed because of your buying into a delusion and making and loving a lie. Sheesh !
Capitalism is successful for some but not for all. Witness the gross inequality in the United States for example. Capitalism is based on self-interest which is a nice way of saying greed. These are just facts.
How can you be so defensive over an economic system? Is this the effect capitalism has on the minds of workers, indoctrinating them to that extent like drones? Ask any capitalist person, like you, why communism 'doesn't work' (I won't agree with that, but let's pretend it's true for the sake of this discussion) and they'll tell you it's because the world doesn't work that way and people aren't selfless, and will abuse the system. Capitalism 'works' because it incentivises greed, people chase wealth endlessly at any cost, which has led us to the corrupt, amoral world we live in with a superabundance at the top amongst the richest and billions on the other end suffering in poverty. The Bruderhof participate in capitalism, of course, because they cannot help but live in such a world, just like communists need to work in order to survive as they cannot change the world to be communist. But unlike the outer world, they split their resources and help everyone in the community. If they behaved like the real world, a few people at the top would hoard 90% of the wealth and there would be plenty of people in the community suffering and being ignored.
@@LaurafromtheBruderhof Again , it is crystal clear the you do not understand what capitalism is - or how it works. It is NOT based on self-interest - that is false. You are merely repeating what you have been told and not with you have learned - Since it is clear the you have learned nothing about capitalism . You are, of course, entitled to your opinion - but you CANNOT call opinions "facts" .. it is a lie that capitalism is based on "self-interest" . Capitalism is an economic system where persons with the means (either land, money, talent or drive or any combination of all of these - AKA "capital") produce goods and or services that others will find useful and be willing to pay for at a reasonable price. That is what capitalism is and how it works . Selfishness and greed as well as stupidity are entirely separate and different things and if they are overlaid on top of any economic system - no matter how beneficial or helpful will produce suffering, misery and disillusion - TRUTH matters. whoever is pulling your strings - knows this - .
@@smde1 Capitalism is a vague concept, though Adam Smith and Karl Marx both gave very good descriptions of such as economic system from opposing perspectives. Using their descriptions, Marx would disagree with your definition of "useful goods/services", and Smith would disagree that "it is a lie that capitalism is based on self-interest". He specifically said self-interest was how the (capitalist) economy works and produces the best good overall.
I'll share a story from one of my visits to Bellvale. Three highschool boys had borrowed some tools. They had finished their task, and went off to do some fishing. When an elder went to use the tools, they had but been returned. The next day, Sunday, the community gathered for a meeting. ("Church") At the meeting the boys stood up, and publicly apologized for being neglectful. They felt they'd let their elder down. They were very emotional, and you could feel their sorrow. The elder stood up, and publicly forgave these boys. They hugged, and the meeting went on. This, right here, is what makes community work. Accountability. Love. Admission of sin. Forgiveness. It was a beautiful day.
I am muslim woman from Spain, and I thought to tell you that i find it so nice to listen to you and how much i agree with the way you see life and your values.
Lots of love
That is a very nice thing to say :)
come to Jesus. I am an arab ex muslim btw who got saved by Jesus
God bless you!
Hi Laura, I was raised a Mormon, and left the church many years ago, I plan on moving with my husband to a boat and sailing for the rest of our lives, my kids are grown and married. I think your way of life is lovely, I really respect your devotion. I wish I could say I am strong enough to join you, but I am a wanderer. Thank you for bravely taking on some tough questions and for sharing your faith.
Have you moved to a boat and began sailing yet? This is something I have thought about.
"Please don't ask about accountability. Please don't ask what we're going to do with the money you give us to join."
A "culture of obedience" is a culture that doesn't like its members asking questions about what its leaders are doing.
"Resources are equally shared." How do you know that when you're told to be simply obedient?
Opposes capitalism? The communities are serious businesses, and clearly earn a lot of dosh. You can't keep a pyramid scheme afloat for years and years and years. There's definitely a solid income, and good cash flow. Everyone lives well. They've got well equipped facilities. They've got doctors, dentists, lawyers, etc. in their communities (so they claim), and those degrees don't come for free.
More power to 'em, I say, but anti-capitalistic? Absolutely not. They've built a community folks are eager to join, and I think would be a good life for a lot people. But they aren't shunning capitalism in the least.
You've had to tackle more and more difficult and pointed questions lately and I'm impressed with how you've addressed them -- well thought through and tactful. Thank you for your devotion to the Kingdom and to presenting the Bruderhof in as open a way as possible with these videos.
Thank you for your kind words!
I find it so uplifting that my Christian beliefs line up so well with this community! I have no plans on joining, but I love that you’re actually living as the Bible says instead of just following a leader and what they tell you the Bible says. ❤️ all the love to you and your community!
Your answer to the first question was not what was expected because it was not of the world. It shows you are a true Christian. Thank you for your channel, it is great!
I appreciate your wisdom, Laura. Thank you for your insights & frank answers. Thank God for the work of your community.
Great answers to tough questions Laura. The more I read about the Bruderhof and listen to your videos, the more inclined I am to make a visit of discernment. Thank you.
So glad to hear you might visit!
I was raised outside the church and know very little about religion. That said I appreciate and respect the community concept and being on the outside looking in I can easily understand the appeal and benefit. Laura, I enjoy your videos and appreciate your patience and willingness to teach us about yourself. You are sharp girl :)
Shalom!
As a fellow believer in Messiah I am surprised I have never heard of this community. But then again, I do not watch TV or have any social media platform other than CZcams if one considers that social media.
Thank you Laura and to the community for sharing your life and ways with us. It has always been a dream and vision of mine well before I became a follower of having a community very much like yours.
Father, we thank You for the testimonies of the great company of brothers and sisters throughout the world, who are redeemed by the blood of Messiah and members together of His Body.
Unite us together as one in prayer and praise, and may we be sensitive to the needs of one another and daily lift one another up to Your throne of grace, so that we may find mercy and grace to help in these difficult times of need and necessity.
Protect and provide for each member of the Church and lend Your support, encouragement and strength to all that are facing the increasing trials, tribulations and persecutions that are so prevalent in our world today.
Help us all to walk in the light as You are in the light. Draw us together in love, unite us together in fellowship, and sustain and strengthen each one of us in our Christian walk. In Yahshua's name we pray, Amen.
i love it how you start all your videos with a little chat. Your Ideas of Life, Religion and the whole concept of dedicating your whole life to God and your community is so inspiring. May the Almighty bless u! kindest regards from a german muslim.
Thank you!
It's... Communism with religious purposes. Don't kill me haha, it's actually true. I don't mean it as an insult: the economic sharing of resources with equal access to it, enabled by common labour, is the definition of communism ;)
(I say that from France, a socialist country where communism isn't bad word but something to study in history, economics and sociology class ;)
Christ was like.. Share everything. Americans heard Capitalism.
Not every form of communitarianism is communism
@@amyhatch3761 this is not communism. But it shows the how religions (most if not all) are based on the philosophy of it.
@@sayamsiddha5852 how can Christianity be based on communism when it predates it by over 1000 years?
@@amyhatch3761 I think he means that the idea behind Christ's teachings and the gospels is pretty similar to the theoretical principles of communism.
After all didn't he tell a rich man to leave all his possessions and give them to the poor? Sounds like redistribution of property to me
I never knew these type of communities existed
About accountability though, who is overseeing, who makes sure those in charge do not overstep?
Well done. Touch questions but you handle all so matter of factly and honestly. You and others like you, make up a beautiful community. ❤️🇨🇦
Laura, you seem very kind and your simplicity is very inspirational. I do have a comment about capitalistic societies, however. Capitalistic societies, like the United States, tend to foster an environment for religious freedom and diversity. This is not always the case for other types of economic systems unfortunately.
That's less a function of capitalism and more a correlation. Correlation does not imply causation. Freer societies tend to prefer freer economic market models.
I remember there is a Quaker church in Camas, Washington. It kinda reminds me of your community to an extent. Never had a chance to attend a service sadly enough when living in Washougal, WA
What’s the name of it?
@@urzuafamily6488 I think something like friends hall of camas or something I don’t remember but it’s the only one around that area
I love how Laura’s an anticapitalist 🥰🥰 Personally I’m more of a kibbutznik rather than a Bruderhofer, but I still love these videos
There is nothing wrong with capitalism if it is done right. The Bible does not condemn prosperity. It's what you do with your profits that counts. Read the parable at Luke 12:16-21. Young people are being misled about this. How do you think America achieved such a high standard of living for its citizens? Under what system do you think the innovations such as the telephone, electric lights, etc. came from? Communism? The West under capitalism brought the world out of darkness. Where we've gone wrong is to allow crony-capitalism to take over. Because the likes of Zuckerberg, Bezos and Gates do not follow Christian ethics, they are driven by greed and the desire to use their money and influence to control everyone else on the planet. This is what gives true free-market capitalism a bad name. What we need is more Christian entrepreneurs....
@@sassy3923Greed? You have no idea what you're talking about. Bill Gates has done more to better life on earth for humanity than any other human being to have ever lived. He has already donated over $50 BILLION of his personal wealth to charitable causes and he's not done yet.
Mark Zuckerberg and his wife have already donated $400 MILLION to charitable causes.
Jeff Bezos has donated over $2 Billion to fund education programs.
You just called 3 of the world's biggest philanthropists greedy🤣
🤣
@@thisishowiedewitt76 If their charity was so effective why is the standard of living in America the worst it has ever been since the Great Depression? Walmart and Amazon destroyed the family businesses. Big agriculture destroyed the family farms. You're talking about the real wealth of America being stripped from Americans and funneled to a few people at the top and all the people are left with are debt and rent-a-jobs at the big box stores.
I am not a Christian but I really rnjoy your videoes. Learning about your community is so interestibg because un-like other more humble societies, you are do open and seem non-judgemental.
Also, I appreciate the dedication and particularly the sence of community.
I'm from Denmark which is a docially democratic country but in all hobedty I wish more places would slign with the community thought.
What a beautiful discerned answer.
Interesting questions, and very thoughtful answers.
Enjoyed your answers to these interesting questions .Debt should always be paid off as quickly as possible , Scripture warns that one is not to be a slave to debt .
Scripture warns rather more, I think, for creditors to forgive debtors and thereby not be agents of poor debtors' enslavement - from the astonishingly radical laws of Jubilee in Deuteronomy (and/or Leviticus?) to prevent social equalities, especially in unequal amassing of ownership of land, and onwards to the Gospels - in parable and not the least, the Lord's Prayer!! Also, of course, usury was forbidden in Judaism, Christianity for its first centuries, and Islam. We Christians would do well in our debt-ridden times to look at the current principles of Islamic finance and lending. Also, at Western governments' vast dependence for credit on the Chinese totalitarian State.
Thank you so much for answering, what I imagine, these sometimes challenging questions. I am also discerning a call to your community. Your lives are lived out in such a beautiful way-I continue to seek out the ultimate word of God in my own life. Many blessings to all of you!
Thank you Melodie!
Who polices the bruderhof ?. (I would say gods 10 commandments and jesus examples to love one another.)
I love this concept .
Talking about the ten commandments, do you know what's there opinion about the Sabbath as in the 4th commandment?
the painting you put up at the end of this video is really beautiful, i’d love to see more&know your thought process behind them💕i hope branson gets better soon!
That's a good idea for a video. Thank you!
YAY! I love these answers!
I love your jacket so comfy and practical
Great and profound answer to the first question!
Agreed excellent
I agree!! Great answer!!
But without selling the Bruderhof's products, the needs of the community are not met.
What about Social Security income do you share it too? How does that work out ?
What percentage of your community came the community in their adulthood rather than being born into it?
How do you approach labour when women in the community is having a baby? Does it happen in the hospital or inside the community by help of midwife?
We have a birthing center staffed by doctors and nurses on the community but mostly now women deliver in a local hospital.
Wow what a beautiful painting!
Thank you so much 😀
Hi Laura, thanks for answering so many interesting questions. Regarding your response to the video length- the youtube algorithm favours videos over 10minutes. Thus, if you made the videos longer (10min 3 seconds for example) youtube would suggest your videos to more Interested viewers- thus growing your exposure. I understand you aren’t perhaps seeking to gain a large following however optimizing your videos for the youtube algorithm would allow more people who are already searching for Christian topics to learn about Bruderhof.
Thank you!
I am guessing the broderhof run credit checks on potential new members
I imagine there's an entrance fee.
I don't know the history behind the relationship between the Bruderhof and the Huttarites but for some reason the two split, so I've been told. I've heard that the Hutterites are somewhat more controlling in terms of mail that is sent to a given member or what types of media is consumed and utilized by members. I've also heard having access to outside family for either group may be difficult if someone is a member. Thanks!
Hi! We had a long relationship with some (not all) Hutterite communities. There are several branches of the Hutterite church and we were fully connected just to one. The causes of the break in the relationship were complex and I don't think anyone completely understands them. I and we continue to hope that one day this kind of separation can be overcome.
Hello Laura! Thank you so much for posting these videos and for helping us learn more about how the Bruderhof live and serve God. I have a question for you, but I understand if it is too sensitive a subject to talk about. What is the Bruderhof's stance on unmarried mothers? Do they allow them to join? For example, when I was 17, I strayed away from God, became pregnant, and had a child. A few years later, I repented and went back to God. While I understand that what I did was a sin, but I do feel that he was truly meant to be here and I am trying my best to raise him to follow and serve god.
Hello Elizabeth! Absolutely unmarried mothers are welcome. There are a number of single parents living on our communities. Your son is absolutely meant to be here and is a gift from God as are all children. Thank you for asking.
@@LaurafromtheBruderhof Are unmarried mothers encouraged/allowed to marry within the Bruderhof community?
Re: a part of the first question, I highly believe that people follow through attraction rather than promotion
A hawkins student I presume :)
hi! i was wondering if you believe that this community, or communities similar, could survive on a greater scale?
I would hope they could!
Do the Bruderhof respect different dietary choices? For example, if someone didn’t want to eat meat, are there choices of meals without? Also, how do they deal with dietary requirements such as lactose intolerance or food allergies? I know these can be difficult to accommodate.
Yes we accommodate people's dietary needs. I'm not aware of anyone who's vegetarian but I'm sure a way would be found.
Hi Laura, again you are so clear in answering the many questions you get, I learn a lot and thanks for your honesty and openness! I was wondering if you could tell me how much or if the Bruderhof has changed in being a community over the so many years they exist?
So after being part of a church community that became a cult, there was no financial accountability, from the elders, there was a form of spiritual accountability that was built on confession of sin and guilt. So im very dubious and suspicious when you avoid financial and accountability questions. And although the memebers where extrememly accountable the leaders are all in process of being had up for money laundering and fraud. This is current. This is a Mission in South Africa and internationally called Kwa Sizabantu. You can read all about it on KSB Alert on the internet.
Hi Pat! Thank you. I'll think about that question. Of course my perspective is limited because I wasn't around for most of it :)
@@LaurafromtheBruderhof Hello, Laura, thanks for tackling tough questions. I would like to suggest that young members such as you become familiar with the history of the Bruderhof; both the good, the bad, and (very unfortunately) the ugly. Allow yourself to be exposed not only to the "official story", but also to that those the "vanquished" tell. The emergent composite sketch of our Common Story, one that unflinchingly owns the highs and lows, will give us all a BALANCED view of what has happened over the course of time. When you say, "I wasn't around for most of it," it feels as though you are brushing aside the darker periods of our history and the terrible suffering people endured. Unless we learn from our common story and make an effort not to repeat past mistakes (it starts by owning them) they are likely to be repeated. I mean this in a helpful, non-criticall way. Keep inchin' along...
@2:14 "join and have debt"
Great topic! Another example is: you are divorced and have children in a country where there are no state benefits for children and the family there is a rebellious mess, SO you are still supporting them until they are grown. This is basically like a debt, which you cannot get rid off/cancel by declaring bankruptcy due to the moral liability.
- Could Bruderhof act like a "trustee relationship" meaning when you join, you hand over your posessions to Bruderhof and Bruderhof on the other side ensures that monthly payments go out to those children from these posessions until they are grown?
Trustee relationship - a viable option? Sort of like Boaz released Ruth, the stranger :-)
Yes we support children of members who don't live on the Bruderhof as best we can.
If someone had a chronic illness that needed medications could they join the community?
Yes absolutely
@@LaurafromtheBruderhof Does the community have the numbers and resources to negotiate for lower-cost medical care?
I have a question for you lovely Laura from the Bruderhof:) If we think of the new testament according to Paul, much of this was taken from his letters to the early churches (30 years after Jesus death or so I think) when he was imprisoned, tortured for his beliefs, he took to opportunity to spread the word of Jesus, he even persuaded the people holding him captive to convert Christianity, he took a positive view of telling the story of Jesus in the darkest of places, letters he wrote in this time (unknown to him at the time) formed the new testament that we all know and love today, do you ever feel like doing something like this? Of course not to this extreme, but outside the Bruderhof voicing the story of Jesus to those that need this the most?
Hi Matt! That's a challenge we take very much to heart and at any given time we have members traveling and living outside of our established communities in order to spread the love of Jesus. Ultimately though we hope our life together attests to the fact that Jesus can completely transform all aspects of life - economic, social, political, and cultural.
@@LaurafromtheBruderhof Hi Laura, giving to others, walking in the shoes of those less fortunate then ourselfs without reward or favour is a blessing. Thank you for replying:)
How does higher education work? I saw that your dad was a doctor. In the community, would the money come from the group or would there have to be an individual student loan? How would you get a student loan when, I assume, you have no credit history or proof of individual income?
Also a good question (but it's Chris's grandfather who's a doctor, not my dad). I'll answer this in a video as well.
@@LaurafromtheBruderhof oops sorry about that.
do you believe in baptism? I was brought up baptist and we make the decision when we are at the age of understanding weather to be baptised.
Yes we're from the Anabaptist tradition.
Husbandry was the early Christian model of economics. Charity was their method of giving.
how do you become a new member. and can a new member live in the community
Hi Jack you can read about that here: www.bruderhof.com/en/our-faith/membership
Wise answers.
Be careful about taking in people who have debt. There are those who would definitely take advantage of the opportunity to have you help them pay off their loans only to have them leave once they were "free." A better way would be to have them work to pay off their debt first. As they are doing this they can visit or even stay for short periods of time. This would make them take responsibility for their debt while providing an opportunity for each party to get to know each other.
I believe they would have to resolve their debt before joining. And, for the one who commented and was going to get their debt discharged, they are not ready to join a faith based community -- because God expects us to keep our word and when we borrow money, He expects us to pay it back!
@@emmib1388 Yes, you're right.
I think the question he was asking was could a Bruderhof community establish it self in a communist country? Are there any?
From what she said I imagine one could form in a communist society seeing at there attitudes are already pretty communist.
However there is not many true communist countries in the world and countries who are close to communist (or say they are communist) are either lying, or struggling politically and economicly either from outside or inside influences that communitys like the bruderhof would stuggle to form or even get there ideas and existence known in such countries.
Communist countries persecute people of faith. They want teh STATE to be viewed as God, not give the Glory to God alone....
Would a "fully transitoned" trans man be welcomed as a celibate male member in a Bruderhof? I understand the implications of non-celibacy of a transgender person in a Christian community but I'm interested to know if a transgender person would be welcomed to work and live within the community
so long as 'he' is willing to be known as the woman she is, I believe....Being able to be completely Truthful is vital in community. Receiving Jesus, who is tehe Truth, means not living a lie about oneself
What about rejection or abandonment? Are there any reasons for rejecting person? A person who choose to abandon the community is allowed to see with family? Thank you ❤
Thanks I'll try and answer these in a video soon!
Question: does the Bruderhof accept new members who are homeless or in receipt of welfare benefits?
Yes absolutely.
Gosh how beautiful are you ..without make up and importantly inside you xx
Do you have to give away your pets or could they go with me
In a nutshell, how does it work for a family to live in a bruderhof community if God is calling them to do so?
Well they'd come and visit for a longer time and see if it really was the right thing to do and then they'd take membership vows.
Do you accept gay, bi and trans children born into the community?
you can have “same sex attraction” but you can’t marry same sex and you can’t act on your sexuality i think
as far as trans people go, i’m not sure
Being that they are a devout Christian community, I’m going to take a wild guess and say no. Nor should they have to, regardless of the views of others. Their community, their rules.
anyone who wishes to join the community would have to agree with and follow their statement of faith. So , if the individual does agree --than yes .. if they don't agree - they probably would not be interesting in joining anyway if they do not agree with the lifestyle. :-)
I think that Being able to be completely Truthful is vital in community. Receiving Jesus, who is the Truth, means not living a lie about oneself
I concur with your comment, on just watching this video, md9680.
Hi Laura. To me Brudehof seem similar to Amish. I know that Amish couples typically have heaps of kids. How many kids do brudehof couples typically have?
Could I join as I'm too sensible to believe in something for which there isn't an iota of evidence. But I do like the way you live.
if you accept their statement of faith and are willing to live their lifestyle, sure!
" I'm too sensible to believe in something for which there isn't an iota of evidence" sounds like you are not ready to live in a Christian community, but should keep seeking until you are in alignment with Christian beliefs and ethics
So no one brings anything to the table but you are moved out of your home if you are needed for one reason or another? No autonomy to make your own decisions about where you want to live? Actually everyone is bringing something if they are working and putting in their time and energy for the betterment of the whole.
Where in the world are bruderhof communities? I live in New Zealand iam repeating my question as you suggested 😊Maree
It startled me when she said capitalism is contrary to Christianity-built on greed? maybe-but hard work pays off and everyone has a chance to better themselves in America
Hi Mary! Capitalism is based on self-interest. The Gospel calls us to self-sacrifice. These are contradictory values. Laura
@@LaurafromtheBruderhof I think you should be very careful judging that all capitalism is just self interest. Men work in obedience to God's will, to feed and care for their families. If God prospers them, they are then able to help those in need around them. Those who do so (such as Job did) are doing God's will. Only those who use their profit only for themselves are self-serving. Those who profit in their work, and who use their profits to benefit others are not self-serving. Would you condemn Job, who was very wealthy?
Can you still see none members of your family and friends? Can they visit you?
Do you have any say where you live? Especially thinking of having to take care of family who are none members
Hi Laura, should academically inclined people give up their academic life to join Bruderhof? Can you even get accessed to academic published papers or books in the community?
Hi Sergio! Yes you can access academic books and such in the community. Whether an someone should give up academics to join the Bruderhof is up to them. Everyone is welcome.
I've been curious about the Bruderhof since I first learned of them in the early eighties. I'm 59 years old and in good working condition. I wonder if I'm too old to become a member?
if you are willing to live their lifestyle and agree with their statement of faith -- then yes!~
DO YOU BELIEVE THE TRINITY? THAT GOD JESUS AND THE HOLY SPIRIT IS ONE GOD.
Question: Does the Bruderhof have members from different ethnic backgrounds? If so, how do they adapt culturally with the group? Does the Bruderhof disapprove interracial marriages?
Yes we have people from different ethnic backgrounds. And we have a number of interracial couples. It's a beautiful thing. Every culture/background brings something important to the table so I think it's not so much about adapting to the group as it is appreciating where everyone comes from.
Laura from the Bruderhof thank you !
I have a question...... How do the bruderhof earn money to support the communities if most everyone works to help within the community? Are there certain people who have higher paying jobs outside the community?
We have a bunch of businesses that most of the members of the community work in that support the communities. More info here: www.bruderhof.com/en/life-in-community/working-together
Thank you.
How common is it for people to be lonely and unmarried in the Bruderhof? Is there an imbalance of genders, somewhat like the wider world where women are in increasingly higher demand compared to men? One of my biggest fears for joining would be ending up alone and unmarried due to obviously fewer people in the Bruderhof than on the outside. My apologies if you've answered this before. Thanks.
Good question. I'll answer in a video.
I am actually 12k in debt due to moving costs and taxes. So the debt question was pertinent
What happens if joining is permissable..
.but what about the debt? How would that be handled?
She said it's handled on a case by case basis but generally you should be responsible for your own debt.
♥
Inspiring!
🙏....
Hi Laura if I was allowed to join the Brunderhoff and wanted to get married again, I'm divorced? Also is there any age limit
If your spouse is deceased, then you can remarry (marriage is considered til death do us part) and there is no age limit (she answered these questions previously)
Can I join if i'm a Muslim ?
You can certainly visit but part of joining is getting baptized and promising to follow Jesus.
@@LaurafromtheBruderhof
I understand that, my sister
I do follow Jesus peace upon him
in fact i can't be a Muslim without Believe in Jesus Christ.
may God Bless us all ❤ thank you
I never understood religion, why is it so important to be loved by a god? What does it do to you? Other than a feeling... I do not get the concept. Why don't you formulate your own self, and your own mindset of right and wrong, and follow the rules in your country. Shouldnt that be enough to be a humble person? Why does somebody invisible have to be involved to make it valid? I do not come from a mean place, but a curious one. It just doesnt make sense to me.
Do the Bruderhofs belive in nation states?
Do they feel like they owe something to their country?
Thanks for asking! I'll try and answer these soon.
Nice to hear you are not interested in money.
Are you sure???
Members seek to live like early Christians, sharing incomes and handing over all their possessions, which are not returned if they leave..
no noisy neighbours then?
Maybe it's due to a career in law enforcement, but I wonder how the Bruderhof community would handle a creep, a pervert, a sociopath, or anyone else bent on taking advantage. (I am a Quaker, and I'm not even sure how we would handle such individuals. So far, so good.) Also, I disagree that capitalism is a system built on greed. Any Bruderhof community is a capitalist enterprise. Living collectively does not alter the fact that the community is a voluntary collective that raises capital, manufactures products, and sells those products on the open market in competition with other manufacturers. That's capitalism, and thank God for it. It's what people do whenever and wherever they're free to do it. Try that in a socialist country. Anyway, good luck.
It's unbelievable that you said Capitalism is anti-Christian. And your survival as a Christian community in such a system makes me think God is greater than Capitalism.
You're understanding of capitalism is very narrow. The Economic system of government and the consecration of ones possessions in a church setting are 2 different things. Your Bruderhofs are allowed and can function because of capitalism. Unless that is you think the state should support you. Obviously not. People trade goods and skills for money or other goods and skills and then if that individual chooses they are free to consecrate that to their church or religious community as you are. This only works because it is your free will. That is agency, a gift given to man in the Garden of Eden. Anytime consecration becomes compulsory or not a choice it is no longer a gift. That is socialism.
Great I'm retired could I join the bruderhof church
Of course! Send an email to the contact email at Bruderhof.com if you want to find out more.
Is there any bruderhof comu items in the United stares
Yes many www.bruderhof.com/en/where-we-are#united-states
I have a question that pertains to an email I sent previously. Why are there no LGBT+ representation in any promotional videos I have seen? Where are they and what do you do if one member is gay? Kill them, excommunicate them? Ignore them? VERY Christian.
Their community, their rules. Don’t like it? Then don’t join.
Or is Christianity acceptable to communists. Answer NO! Because the concept of private property is Christian. Not that being in agreement to share is contrary to Christianity. However the ability to share ones property is premised on the fact that the property is privately owned. In other words I can't just come to your community and take your tools etc. Because the community has private ownership of them.
Do you allow pets.
Yes
Following Jesus should never be a sacrifice.
Well, Jesus realised it requires sacrifice - which is why he said we need to pick up our crosses every day. But a focus on how much material wealth one has 'sacrificed', and a preoccupation with how it may be continually used/invested, reveals an ongoing attachment to the material, rather than a sense of liberation at 'counting all things as rubbish' in comparison to knowing Christ. A better way is to just sell everything you own, give it to the most worthy cause of your choosing (no strings attached) and then just dedicate yourself to following Christ every day without thought for food and clothing, but trusting in God's provision. One has to put ones faith in God, not in a 'system' of doing things.
@@UnPoquitoDeSal A smoker comes to the doctor. "Doctor I can hardly breathe and I have no strength." Doctor: "Stop smoking!" A hard time later. Ex-smoker: "Doctor, I'm fine. I can breathe again. And the power is back." Did the patient sacrifice smoking?
@@GreenJack451 I respectfully disagree. It is true, the Jesus followed by much of Western Christianity does not require much sacrifice. The historical person, however, demanded something altogether different.
Perhaps there is a misunderstanding of mine in the word sacrifice (I'm German: sacrifice = Opfer or Verzicht). Every decision has it pros and cons. I cannot serve two masters.
Just my thoughts on “sacrifice”. I’m enjoying the dialogue.
What has to be “sacrificed” is the clinging to our little ego self. This can seem terrifying. It can seem like death itself, but it is a necessary death if we are to live fully with Christ. Paul said “I die daily”. This can be interpreted in many ways, but for me it refers to the constant letting go of the little self with all its wants and expectations. Only in letting go of the little self with all its attachments can we then wake up to our oneness with Christ in Jesus. Once you wake up to that unity, you realize that those things you thought you were sacrificing were the very things that were the cause of all of your suffering.
Dont see much diversity in your community. Do you have people of different races in your community Especially people of color. And do you have dentist and doctors in your community to keep up health care and hygiene
Yes there are people of color here - I'm going to have a friend on to discuss this issue in a video later this week. Yes there are doctors and dentists here, and if someone needs specialist care they would be referred to an appropriate doctor.
You say you oppose capitalism but you sell stuff to the outside world for a profit. Not saying that is wrong to do it isn't but it is capitalism. What happened to your airline business over in Newburg. You sold it I assume for a profit. So to say you oppose capitalism is not true. You sound like other groups who say they are outside of the "system" , They may be but the all depend on someone in the system to make it work for them. It reminds me o the jewish guy who lived down the street who would pay me a quarter to go to the store for him because it was a sin to do it on saturnday LoL. But ok to use a gentile kid to sin for him.
Your comments on capitalism are so short sighted. Oh gosh, bless your ignorance.
"Capitalism is an economic system based on greed " ?? This is a fairly bigoted or ignorant statement and I am surprised that you said it so casually. Do you actually know anything about capitalism other than what you have been told ???? It is NOT based on greed - at all. I have to suggest that you read and study on capitalism to understand about how it works and operates and why it is successful. GREED is something else entirely - you have mistakenly conflated these two things, quite ignorantly, in keeping with the current, modern, delusion affecting the world. If you are engaged in any activity or enterprise and are making a profit - AND I KNOW YOU ARE - you are participating in capitalism . Your statements have already startled and misled people - Read the comments. They can do much harm. If you are in any position of authority in your community - you need to consider posting an ERRATA on this statement you have made - and if not you need to be corrected and someone else needs to post an ERRATA. If not - you are already doomed because of your buying into a delusion and making and loving a lie. Sheesh !
Capitalism is successful for some but not for all. Witness the gross inequality in the United States for example. Capitalism is based on self-interest which is a nice way of saying greed. These are just facts.
How can you be so defensive over an economic system? Is this the effect capitalism has on the minds of workers, indoctrinating them to that extent like drones? Ask any capitalist person, like you, why communism 'doesn't work' (I won't agree with that, but let's pretend it's true for the sake of this discussion) and they'll tell you it's because the world doesn't work that way and people aren't selfless, and will abuse the system. Capitalism 'works' because it incentivises greed, people chase wealth endlessly at any cost, which has led us to the corrupt, amoral world we live in with a superabundance at the top amongst the richest and billions on the other end suffering in poverty. The Bruderhof participate in capitalism, of course, because they cannot help but live in such a world, just like communists need to work in order to survive as they cannot change the world to be communist. But unlike the outer world, they split their resources and help everyone in the community. If they behaved like the real world, a few people at the top would hoard 90% of the wealth and there would be plenty of people in the community suffering and being ignored.
@@LaurafromtheBruderhof Again , it is crystal clear the you do not understand what capitalism is - or how it works. It is NOT based on self-interest - that is false. You are merely repeating what you have been told and not with you have learned - Since it is clear the you have learned nothing about capitalism . You are, of course, entitled to your opinion - but you CANNOT call opinions "facts" .. it is a lie that capitalism is based on "self-interest" . Capitalism is an economic system where persons with the means (either land, money, talent or drive or any combination of all of these - AKA "capital") produce goods and or services that others will find useful and be willing to pay for at a reasonable price. That is what capitalism is and how it works . Selfishness and greed as well as stupidity are entirely separate and different things and if they are overlaid on top of any economic system - no matter how beneficial or helpful will produce suffering, misery and disillusion - TRUTH matters. whoever is pulling your strings - knows this - .
@@smde1 Capitalism is a vague concept, though Adam Smith and Karl Marx both gave very good descriptions of such as economic system from opposing perspectives. Using their descriptions, Marx would disagree with your definition of "useful goods/services", and Smith would disagree that "it is a lie that capitalism is based on self-interest". He specifically said self-interest was how the (capitalist) economy works and produces the best good overall.