BBC: Inside a Gated Bruderhof Commune, What we Saw скачать в хорошем качестве

BBC: Inside a Gated Bruderhof Commune, What we Saw

The Bruderhof is a fully self sustainable, nondenominational group, headquartered 90 minutes from New York City, in Rifton, New York. We were given permission to briefly visit their property in Robertsbridge, England. The property we visited was set back from the main road by a mile or so. The driveway was gated and monitored around the clock by a gatekeeper. Once inside, we were given a tour of the common areas. A former sanitarium for tuberculosis patients, the cement buildings are large, and grouped close together with small paths connecting them. Most families have been living within the group for generations. Many were large, some with 12 children. The children attend a regimented daycare routine, then continue to a private grade school, then a private high school academy, all on site. Visits to the outside world are seldom, and strictly scheduled. Families move constantly between dwellings on site, or from one property to another. A pool of cars and petty cash is shared, with the exception of the appointed minister, who has his own vehicle and credit card. By age 21, young people must decide to join the group, or they'll be on their own with little financial help and no social support. A lifetime membership is required, and members receive a membership ring, made of white gold. Members hold weekly member meetings, which are exclusive to members only. Some of these meetings are held in a conference style with the other locations. We asked what happens if someone does not follow the membership handbook. A discipline ritual is administered called "Church discipline" where a member cannot speak to anyone, or be spoken to for an open ended period of time. Such discipline varies from "the small exclusion", no speaking, to "the great exclusion", total seclusion from all social interaction. We were also told that some couples must live on different properties if they do not get along or if something more sinister happens. We were allowed to visit the factory, a global enterprise which employs most members, for free. In return for free labor, members receive food and lodging. The money earned is sent to the Bruderhof headquarters in the United States. It is then divided and sent to each property as needed. One member we interviewed did not know what a credit card was. Some topics were forbidden, such as a conversation on homosexuality and abortion. Divorce was also something that we were told is non existent. Like membership, marriage is for life, and no divorce has taken place in the 100 year history of the group. As young children, the women are given home made dresses to wear, while the men wear traditional clothing. We asked if more men leave the group than women, and we were told they do. Children who choose not to become members, are sent to live in affordable towns and villages, and are encouraged to get a job for minimum wage, and work from the bottom up. A college tuition is typically not something that is provided to those who are not members. Family interaction is also limited to several phone calls each year. From what we could see, there were no other visitors from the general public who were planning to become members of the group. While we were not allowed to see everything, and only stayed for a short period of time, we learned first hand how it feels to live a life completely removed from reality. Should we try to visit another Bruderhof village or interview children who did not become members? Tell us in the comments!