tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129944.post113593987963785840..comments2023-12-25T03:12:03.872-05:00Comments on Hootsbuddy's Place: Bruderhof online -- the light no longer shinesHootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01108363655472450828noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129944.post-1141051557068730172006-02-27T09:45:00.000-05:002006-02-27T09:45:00.000-05:00Wrong link.Try thishttp://bruderwatch.blogspot.com...Wrong link.<BR/>Try this<BR/>http://bruderwatch.blogspot.com/2006/02/after-long-hiatus-i-have-decided-to.htmlHootshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01108363655472450828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129944.post-1141051359537401772006-02-27T09:42:00.000-05:002006-02-27T09:42:00.000-05:00In fairness to any seeker looking to know more abo...In fairness to any seeker looking to know more about the Bruderhof, this link is a must-see.<BR/>http://bruderwatch.blogspot.com/2004/02/started-this-blog-as-way-to-publish-my.html<BR/><BR/>A former member tells a sad account of his mother's passing, an event which he did not participate in because he had left the group. Even after she was buried details of her final days were kept from him, leaving a lot of obvious scar tissue.Hootshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01108363655472450828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129944.post-1137595384594650492006-01-18T09:43:00.000-05:002006-01-18T09:43:00.000-05:00If anyone is really interested in the Bruderhof be...If anyone is really interested in the Bruderhof beyond their web presence they should join the discussion at:<BR/><BR/>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bruderhof<BR/><BR/>It's an open group, not sponsored by the Bruderhof or their detractors.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129944.post-1137289984018529562006-01-14T20:53:00.000-05:002006-01-14T20:53:00.000-05:00Thank you for your insights. I am aware of another...Thank you for your insights. I am aware of another, darker side of the Bruderhof. Searching to find what might have happened to the Daily Dig I came across several places where negative experiences and assessments were posted. Wikipedia references <A HREF="http://thingy.apana.org.au/~fun/bruderhof/rubin.html" REL="nofollow">at least one.</A><BR/><BR/>Even a cursory look at a search will dredge up a netfull of negative reports, including lawsuits and references to cults. <BR/><BR/>Since I have no personal contact with anyone connected with the Bruderhof, my only impressions derive from their internet presence which, whatever its origins, fed a spiritual appetite for many people with no apparent damage. <BR/><BR/>I am reminded of a tight little group that came to my cafeteria a few times. Under the leadership of a charismatic individual they were a textbook example of a cult, later making the evening news because they ran afoul of local authorities with the Department of Family and Childrens Services. Seems they were whipping their children in church, in view of the whole congregation, in a manner that qualified as abusive. <BR/><BR/>When they left the cafeteria for the last time (long story...I tried to get their leader to quiet them a bit because their group's praying and chanting was disturbing others in the dining room...I wanted their business, but my attempt failed and they never returned) I asked one of my staff if she knew who they were. She said she did, that they had done a lot of good in the neighborhood, and a lot of people admired them. After seeing the people themselves, imagining what unstructured lives they must have come from, I decided that with all their shortcomings, the leadership of their cult leader may have been less dmanging than no leadership at all. And no leadership at all would have been the alternative for most of them.<BR/><BR/>The point about children born into such a group is well-taken. <BR/><BR/>I try to resist judgdment of those trying to do good. But I don't try to hide facts, whatever they may be. <BR/>Be advised accordingly.Hootshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01108363655472450828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129944.post-1137284075531507152006-01-14T19:14:00.000-05:002006-01-14T19:14:00.000-05:00Folks,What you have seen is part of an ongoing cyc...Folks,<BR/>What you have seen is part of an ongoing cycle of abuse, through the use of crisis to manipulate and control Bruderhof members. Mourn not for the disappearance of the Bruderhof website, but for the pattern of abuse that is signifies.<BR/><BR/>Lest you question how I know of such things, I grew up in the Bruderhof, and seen how the pattern of abuse and control works. These cycles of crisis are part of a systemic "sickness" that has nothing to do with Jesus, but the quest for power over the hearts and minds of "my people".<BR/><BR/>Below is a poem I wrote some years back that describes how I felt at the time:<BR/><BR/>In fear of expulsion, exclusion, ejection,<BR/>men heap memories, lies, figments of imagination,<BR/>onto hapless victim of current crisis,<BR/>manufactured by manipulative ministers.<BR/><BR/>Oh brothers,<BR/>where is thy brotherhood, <BR/>Is it current feeding frenzy, of other brothers souls?<BR/><BR/>Oh sisters,<BR/>where is thy motherhood,<BR/>in giving in to others wishes for your children, against right, against defenseless children's minds, and hearts?<BR/><BR/>Oh leaders,<BR/>where is thy servanthood,<BR/>to be humble helper, foot washer, loving laborer, not towering tyrant!<BR/><BR/>Creation of flawed structure,<BR/>years after, cause pain, confusion,<BR/>untold suffering.<BR/>Flawed men, flawed structure,<BR/>full of pain, fear, gnawing emptiness.<BR/><BR/>Formation of friends,<BR/>with common bond,<BR/>of communal internment,<BR/>help each other shed chains,<BR/>freedom from bondage,<BR/>free from fear,<BR/>freedom to be oneself!<BR/><BR/>A polished mirror,<BR/>held up to Bruderhof faces,<BR/>reflects truths they cannot face.<BR/>In doing so,<BR/>would have to give up current "life",<BR/>to recreate oneself, <BR/>to re-create self,<BR/>to become oneself,<BR/>to become one self,<BR/>to fend for self,<BR/>to stand for self.<BR/><BR/>These many years later, my prayer for each member of the Bruderhof:<BR/><BR/>Lord, I beseech you to make yourself known in a deep and personal way to each man, woman and especially the dear children in the Bruderhof. Make your love and grace known in the hearts and minds of each one, drawing them into a real and personal relationship with you, dear Lord! As a child of the Bruderhof I know well the fear and longing to be free of mental and spiritual bondage. Heal the rifts that exist between family members inside and those out, rifts caused not by love, but by seeking to control the hearts and minds of our loved ones.<BR/><BR/>Lord, you know our pain and our grief. Heal the many wounds, the many relationships shattered by Bruderhof leadership. Work in the hearts and minds of the leadership, allowing them to break down the walls between them and you, oh Lord. Bring a sweeping new spirit, your Spirit, into their hearts and minds. Show them your Grace, dear God.<BR/><BR/>Lord, your know our hurts, our hearts, our minds. This Christmas, bring peace and healing to ALL those with Bruderhof heritage.<BR/><BR/>I ask this in the name of our Precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen<BR/><BR/>Bruderhof graduate<BR/>Child of the King<BR/>Mike LeBlancAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129944.post-1136519610322064562006-01-05T22:53:00.000-05:002006-01-05T22:53:00.000-05:00Hoots,You were partially right on why the Bruderho...Hoots,<BR/><BR/>You were partially right on why the Bruderhof shut down their websites. Our church has had the joy of providing hospitality to three of their members lately. The communities are going through a time of shaping, repentance and introspection right now that is really encouraging to see. One of the biggest reasons they closed down their sites was that they felt like they were relying on that to be their outlet to the world to the exclusion of other venues. They are struggling with the way in which they are to be salt light and leaven to the world and closing down the websites did not give them the impersonal crutch that you were speaking of to rely on. They are also sending members out in teams of two with $50 and little else in hand (see Jesus' sending out of the disciples) which is how we have happened upon them. Their visits have caused us to think a lot about the ways in which we live and to struggle with it. Just thought you might like some more info on them. <BR/><BR/>DaveDave Pricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16516720245394159640noreply@blogger.com