Date: 2014-06-22
From: Stoneybrook Farm

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I spent 3 days at the farm. I guess this is a good opportunity to help couch warriors understand the stigma.There are rumors, the whispers, and the generalizations that come with any cult.Twelve Tribes is no different. But first understand how these accusations are specific instances that don't apply to every one of these locations. When you have a bad encounter with a terrible law enforcement agent, for example, that does not mean every single cop in every single town will be exactly the same. Some people just tend to generalize and blow everything up from one instance adding hyperbole. Which leads to more people parroting off the drama. We're all guilty of it.Now let's not pussyfoot around it. Everybody knows somebody who is scared, confused, lost, and desperately seeking an answer to life. Sometimes this results in overcompensation with things. In some cases religion becomes their answer. I'm not their savior and frankly I don't know what would be best for all. All I know is that this commune has opened their homes to us hikers, provided services they don't need to do, and shared everything with us. Out of respect you should offer your helping hand with whatever they need on the farm. When was the last time you helped a weary traveler? Or random stranger? Or even your neighbor to such hospitality?They do it every day. Of course there is some validity to the negative warnings in the reply guest book. But reality is that this is prevalent throughout the world in every religion, in many households, and every culture. It's not a Twelve Tribes thing, it's a human thing. There's to good apples, bad apples, and in between apples. If there's something not to like about this cult, it's the people who take advantage of these good hearted people. They give up everything to become a member. What they get in return besides the reaffirming spiritual daily gatherings that revolves like a spinning door around Jashua, is a genuine community. Village living where no one needs to lie or play deceitful games against each other. It's simple. Grow food, share, eat together, work together, and have faith in God. There's no need for money here. But of course my natural suspicions make me think all the money the storefront makes is going into someone's pocket. The profit must be through the roof with no wages to pay even if there are properties/farmland to maintain. At the same time, there was talk amongst the members of purchasing a location in Harper's Ferry to open a hiker hostel and they have all these side projects that take money to build or restore.Let's get real here. I'll openly say that I would never join this community and I would not recommend people to raise their kids here. That's mostly because I am not religious at all. But just go to this farm I am talking about and see the children for yourself. They are happy. They are parented with care and with the help of community. And they are HEALTHY. They eat well and are raised in a very supportive environment where they gain basic skills I wish I had the opportunity to learn as a child. They get to constantly play and laugh while learning all kinds of practical things with enthusiasm. They aren't hidden away or shielded away from us hikers or customers at their local market store - we are part of their learning experience in seeing different kinds of people from different walks of life. Sure the parents are probably using us as examples and telling them we are sinners and dadada. But just like you and I, the children will be able to make a decision (or lack of one) of where they want to take their life. It is up to them to question everything and it is up to them to interpret for themselves what it is they should do.Than look at your typical American child in the typical household. Fat, unhealthy, unguided, ignored, looked after by other people that only do it because you toss a few bucks at them, and brain washed not by ideology per se but by television.Uhhh yeah it surprises me to say it, but I think these kids at this twelve tribes based farm have a better foundation than most other children.There's no forced work. Everyone volunteers for everything here. Everyone finds joy in it. It's not a chore here. It's hanging out with your friends, family, and interesting people who want to help. Go to work in a professional environment and how often would you be able to say that's what you see? I tend to see set work hours, unmotivated employees, and a pointless/thankless WORK environment. The work at this farm all directly contributes to tangible good on a day to day basis. The only people I have not met here are the people who have left the community or are off visiting other people. The family I got to eat dinner with the first night who then spent their sabbath day showing us around, went to visit family. A family in the commune were leaving on Monday to live in Germany.Obviously many people have left because they don't share the same opinion on religious related issues. Or because they realized that the commune is not exactly what they thought it would be. No, REALLY?! How could that be!?Obviously I don't believe in their faith but it's not my place to tell their kids to rebel against everything they've been taught. I also don't give a dollar to every homeless person I meet or trash religion despite my own beliefs.As for enjoying a stay at this farm and being told by people who have never been here that this place is evil - I'm not sure where the bigger problem here lies. Perhaps if you're among the crowd attacking these people in a YouTube comment style way, you should consider taking physical action if you truly feel so strongly about it. Perhaps start picketing the Amish communities around the world and shame them into what you believe in because obviously you're superior in every way.Seems to me that this is a knee jerk reaction to hot words like cult. It's easy to hop on the morally correct high horse like its cool. Try stepping out into the world and stop holding people to double standards. Give it a shot. Come to this farm, have authentic conversations, and stop judging people you don't know so harshly. Spreading generalized accusations at people you've never met doesn't seem to do anyone good.If anything, that drives a non beneficial wedge in between progress. Those in the community will only naturally have a self defending response. Those on the other side will be more likely to fall into a judgemental paradox. I know I was hesitant to be among these people due to judging them as culty without evening knowing what they're about. In the end I remembered that they are still human beings and they don't mean you any harm. It's good for your own sake to get out in the world and interact with all kinds of people.That includes giving some of you "nuts" out there a chance.