Thursday, December 01, 2005

Another Viewpoint on Christianity

Wow! Now here's a group I could almost aspire to join. Reading the wiki description they seem to believe in almost exactly what I do. First and foremost, the definition of a Christian: to love God and neighbor.

If I were a younger man, single. Well no, I could never take off my clothes in Canada, too cold natured. I can hardly do it here in Florida.

If you want to know more about the Doukhobors, look at this site.

On second thought I could never be a Doukhobor. They underwent too much persecution: "The Doukhobors came to Canada from Russia in 1898-99 as victims of religious and political persecution. Through changes of interpretation of settlement policy by the Dominion government, a deliberate attempt at forced assimilation in 1907 and after, thousands of acres of developed land were seized in Saskatchewan, a flourishing communal system comprised of 90 villages. Having purchased 20,000 acres of land in British Columbia, a new communal system was once again brought to its knees in 1938: this time by mortgage and trust companies in collusion with the BC government. [The foreclosure was brought about because of $300,000. debt on properties valued at over $6,000,000!]" (quoted from IN SEARCH OF UTOPIA).

Another group, similar in ethnicity, history, and theology are called molokans. (You may also find valuable information at Wikipedia.)

What a rich heritage Christianity has, so diverse, so many groups, each of which has its peculiar vision of Christ and contribution to share with the rest of us. Both of these groups are represented here in America, especially on the West Coast, so it's possible to experience them in person. Most of them are to a considerable degree melded into our culture, but they maintain their distinctive religious and spiritual flavor.

6 comments:

twila said...

It's heartening to read about others who have bucked the system. Their commitment level is inspiring and intimidating, or should I say convicting?

I've often wondered about communal living. Have you ever had an experience of living communally, Larry? I wonder sometimes about how that would all work out. The only group here I know of is the Bruderhofs.

Larry Clayton said...

Well Twyla, you've done it again-- given me a chance to run my mouth, uh attack my keyboard with the gory particulars of the Clayton family and all their communal friends.

I posted at Confessions of a Middle-weight Quaker for you and for anyone else who may be interested in the question you raised.

Larry Clayton said...

Hey, don't join the Bruderhofs; they're wonderful people, but the organization is extremely authoritarian. It's certainly not my cup of tea, and I doubt if it's yours.

Paul said...

Larry, stop tempting me. I want to read your "Confessions" and the links that you posted. I want to read them now -- but, I have to work. I guess I'll exercise self control and read them this weekend.

Anonymous said...

I think the relationship you have with God and Jesus is as single and original as yourself, and that's why I don't attach myself to any groupal point of view. When I was a child I was Catholic (most of people here are Catholic), and it disappointed me so much that I abandoned my faith in God. I recoved it last August, though, when I realized my mistake: it wasn't God who disappointed me, it was Catholic Christianity. I'll never be able to thank God enough for all He's done for me.

Larry Clayton said...

yes