Christian Socialism: Impossible Ideal or Practical Reality?

[@loZoneranger560]

"It's easy to be for equality and justice when it doesn't cost you anything" Isn't THAT the truth?! Thank you so much for this, Rich, Laura and Bruderhof!

[@kellylorang6845]

Adding 'Christian' in front of socialism is the key here. As you said, it's putting others' needs before your own. I don't agree with government socialism because that is about power and who has it/doesn't have it. I love that that the Bruderhof is about choice. The choice to join or, as in the case of the young when raised in Bruderhof, the choice to leave. A true Christian walk can never be brought about by force.

[@pjmpjm1000]

I would say I respect any Christian group that desires to voluntarily live in community with each other.

[@hondafreedom9329]

I am so incredibly disheartened about how the elderly are treated. I am retired and spend at least half my time caring/helping my mother. I cannot imagine - and will not ever put my mom into a "home." It is not easy within the larger society to do so which is incredibly sad. I wish I lived in a community such as Bruderhof.

[@safehaven2763]

You are absolutely right...we are an all self society. With that "freedom" comes isolation and disconnect-the opposite of what we are created to be. Oh but this works out great for the economy...adda boys n girls, lonely, lonely, lonely....fill your void, buy, buy, buy. Monetary riches for country...desparate souls. How can anyone possibly lose if they choose to love each other? We are all a heartbeat away from tragedy so yes, we DO need each other.

[@RowanBlake]

I almost gave up on the Christian faith because of the way that it is practiced today. Most of it does not seem very Christlike to me at all. But I found these videos this week and I have to say the way you practice your faith is how I have always thought Christianity should be practiced. For many years I felt called to community life but I didn't know there were any in existence. I am grateful to have found these videos and I am looking forward to the day when I can visit. Thank you.

[@Bruderhof]

Thanks Karen. Looking forward to that as well - Rich

[@elizabethwittig3930]

Feeling very emotional listening to this as my 95 year old dad is in hospital following a stroke and fall. Due to covid I can't visit him, he is due home soon but I'm afraid as I'm going to be on my own with him except 2 hours a day (4x30min visits) from paid carers. Please pray cos I need strength from somewhere. Your society has a much kinder way to include people. When he passes I will be alone.

[@Bruderhof]

So sorry to hear this Elizabeth. Will be praying for your father and for you for comfort and consolation during this difficult time. - Rich

[@elizabethwittig3930]

@@Bruderhof thank you for your prayers they are a great comfort. His name is Walter.

[@suzylovesmambo]

The best thing about your community, imo, is the living arrangements which reach beyond the nuclear family. It's just so much more natural and a good use of resources. It also relieves the pressure form your partner from being "home", i.e. the only one you see all day.

[@lynette6085]

What a beautiful picture of Christ’s love.

[@RedSonja.]

I shared this video because i think yr guys insight on looking after our elders is so true but his personal philosphy on distributing our energy is so eyeopening.

[@taraburke826]

Thank you for sharing this beautiful and important love for the elderly.

[@kaykalda9674]

I spent much of my childhood in nursing facilities visiting several people and taking some to church with us

[@jessicamiller1548]

Such a great video and refreshing perspectives!! I, too, am so bothered by how the elderly are discarded by our selfish society!! One question regarding the childless elderly couple referred to in this video. It brought up a question about adoption and the Bruderhof community. If a couple wanted to, are they allowed to adopt? Is it up to the couple to pursue this or do they have to go through leaders to receive a decision?

[@Bruderhof]

Yes we have a number of couples who were unable to have children who have adopted with the support of the community. - Rich

[@ruthlaurie-hopper3489]

I am impressed by your care of others. I would like to join the community because I like the values you express but am I considered too old at 62. I feel young with much to give still. I was a social worker. Would I be accepted?

[@Bruderhof]

Yes you would!

[@keelyemerine-mix1051]

Yeah. This looks like Jesus. And I need to explore and live it more. I thank you.

[@MurmilloTV1]

You both have good analysis/-es.

[@hundo9314]

Such a loving thing to do.

[@EmWarEl]

Zero snark in this question: I would assume that it is impossible as a community to eliminate any reliance on the capitalism of the wider world, since the system of capitalism makes possible and provides access to so much. Like, there would be no KZbin or affordable computers without the whole apparatus of capitalism. So is this primarily a focus on Christian socialism within a body of believers, or do you believe that capitalism is inherently wrong in any setting?

[@Bruderhof]

We live in the world we live in so yes we have to operate within the capitalistic framework but as individuals we're committed to rejecting the profit motive.

[@Ralfrobot]

I’ve gone in two years from full time active adult , fit and healthy , to ... being a potential hospitalisation on my death bed or die alone at home from lack of hospital treatment - so I never thought this situation would get me so quick I’m not even elderly yet , but I think a lot of us who are entering middle age now are being forced into early retirement or early old age ..... which I don’t find I can actually do - especially - as I’m not even pensioner yet

[@cityhomestead4490]

This is one of the things that bothers me too in today's society. I offered my grandmother and mamma to live with me the last months of their life. Sadly they chose to be alone. I don't know why but they did. I visited them as often as I could.

[@harisbbbbaaa]

the older you get.. things changes

[@SarahAndSomeGuy0098]

Quaker midnight!! How many former Quaker's are in the Bruderhof?

[@michaelgibbs3147]

Baby Frida! 😀

[@pusherw2861]

😍 love it

[@hesedagape6122]

Apart from people perjoratively calling people living in communes socialists, what you are practising is rather communalism. Difference is socialism says if we are all poor we are all rich and communalism says if we are all rich we are all poor. That is why Christian monastics swear the vow of poverty. By giving up private property and concentrating on their needs they actually accumulate property. The Soviets and other hard core Socialists struggle because it works well when everyone is poor and the rich give up their goods to make life better but when property accumulates to a critical level everyone wants his own share.

[@Ralfrobot]

One minute I was being me .... life was steadily getting interesting , and better - next minute pandemic , I’m suddenly regarded as middle age , older and must be very careful or I will die , .... nobody here living with me , and the only option you have .... are you will likely die alone ... so you see I didn’t think I’d be going through this two years ago , I was an active adult , now I’m seen as a potential death statistic because there will be little chance getting treated in hospital and I’ll have to somehow get well on my own at home by a miracle - , otherwise , stay trying to get on top , almost impossible to do when you are no longer twenty years old

[@victorl.bracamontilla2987]

question, what is your view on the twelve tribes communities?

[@sarajanerussell9181]

A perfect example of ' on earth as it is in heaven'. X

[@JonathanAllen0379]

Both capitalism and socialism are materialistic, godless, modernist and antitraditionalist. DISTRIBUTISM (LOCALISM) is the solution.

[@dhrubamaharjan8732]

Laura made a nice joke.

[@VictorLepanto]

I have to wonder about how you call yourselves "socialist" & yet you are actually part of a PRIVATE corporation. You might not like the Bruderhof group you are part being referred to as a corporation but that's what it is. Some people, probably years b/4 you all were born, got together formed the Bruderhof as a legally recognized enterprise & began to go about their lives as part that corporation. You in effect inherited that corporation & have continued it. This corporation is tied to your personal spirituality, your religion. More power to you all. Socialism is usually understood to mean state ownership, state control of all business enterprises, like the farms & other industries you run to support your personal lifestyles. if we had any more towards real socialism in our nation I believe you'd find your private little communal initiative severely impinged on by that state. The great moral good of the concept of private property is that it means you have the means of sustaining your own life, all the clothing, food & shelter & means of making a living, under your own personal private control. That is what "ownership" actually means, the power to decide what will be done w/ the means of sustaining your own life. If someone else controls all the stuff you need to live then you necessarily become like a slave to that person. When the state which rules over you owns everything you need to live then your choices in life are reduced to do what the state says or starve. Go ask the Ukrainian peasants on that point. As for healthcare & elder care, in Britain their socialist medicine scheme is already run by what is called a "death panel," which is literally responsible for cutting off care for people in severe medical conditions. This is especially true for elder people who are routinely denied medical care which is done as a matter of course here in the U.S. Your private initiative doesn't prove anything on a broader social level.

[@hesedagape6122]

The word they are looking for is communalism.

[@suzylovesmambo]

It doesn't prove anything? That's a stretch. It proves that people thrive and when they're in a community. The Bruderhof model could be replicated within many faiths.

[@VictorLepanto]

@@suzylovesmambo People can indeed live together, they can do so in many ways. It seems probable that few people would be willing to live this way. We do need to bring people together more in a sense of community. Too many people are living isolated lives. In the libertarian culture of this day, it is difficult to form a strong sense of community w/ others. Perhaps people could have many layered approach to community?

[@suzylovesmambo]

@@VictorLepanto I disagree with your second sentence. For the vast majority of our evolutionary history, people have lived in tight-knit clans. Money, solitary living, internet, and a host of other things we take for granted as just parts of life are extremely new to humans. I guess its impossible to prove, but I suspect that more people would be okay with this than they realize.

[@VictorLepanto]

@@suzylovesmambo If they would be, why don't they?