OPEN LETTER TO JOHANN CHRISTOPH
Thouts and reflections, Advent 2005
We are living in a time of advent, a time of ecpectation and love for
all people on this earth.The world is tossing and turning and suffers
under the many disasters of our time,
hurrican's, tsunami's and here in Holland fearful snowstorm's, that
broke down the electricity and left many places without electricity,
light and warmth.
During the last month some very disturbing news has reached us, by
e-mail as well as by telephone ,about young adults leaving the
Bruderhof, either out of their own accord or forced to leave. We were
shocked to hear, how some of those young people were dumped in far
from home places and this in a completely irresponcible way. They were
not taken to friends of the Bruderhof, schools or safe housing, but
instead these places, -- which were carefully selected before hand -
were often in criminal, poor slum areas of the cities and towns, far
away from any one known to them. Also these Young adults had to
promise, not to make contact with any ex- Bruderhofers, schoolfriends
or family.
Fathers and mothers took their young daughter's and son's away and just
left them with $50 to their name, to find their way alone in the big
wide world. The reason for these actions seem to be, the questioning of
community-born -children, about the leadership of Johann Christoph
Arnold or/and sexual curiosity about life.
At this time it makes us think how much has changed within the
Bruderhof Communities, since Eberhard Arnold ( E.A.) gave form to his
convictions of faith, to live a life of peace , faith and love for all
men on this earth.
At that time: E.A. believed, that when a person has fallen into sin,
he/she needs a time of time to repent and find his way anew into the
membership of the "Gemeinde" ( church ).
According to the hutterite regulation's this would be a time of
exclusion. This exclusion took place in the middle of the homesteads in
a small cabin, were that person had to rewrite old hutterite script
into the letters of our time. E.A said: At this time the sinner needs
our love more than ever, we the Church must carry the sin with him
together and chelp him through this time of need, so that he can come
to repentance., joy and forgiveness.
Today:
The Bruderhofs own members or their children are taken to far away
places and left in shattering, loveless, lonesome and increadable
situations as not to "infect" more members with their sin, Whole
families are places in poor houses and have no food.
This is from the devil and a satanic-invented punishment.
At the time of E.A.:
It was E.A, deepest longing, that after repentance, forgiveness should
be given and forgotten. He said at such times: The past sin is forgiven
by the church and God so we have to let it sink to the bottom of the
sea to never surface again.
Today:
it is a fact, that since the 1960ties all sin's or accusations of
sin's, are registered and archieved, so that they can be used at any
time in the future , to discredit a brother, sister or youth.
This to is a satanic method to keep record of all memebrs regressions
For us, the books of George Orwell, make it clear, as to how far the
free spirit of the bruderhof is cought up in its own evil. The 2 books:
"Animal Farm" and "1984"
seem to have so many parallels with the Bruderhof today.
Animal Farm:
First Stage: After the evil farmer left, the animals where extatic.
Happy and full of joy they made new plan's for their future. They trust
each other and promise, that they will always be equal and helpful to
each other.
Second Stage:
The pig's set themselves up, to be more equal than the other animals,
this results in suspicion and distrust towards everyone and everything.
Third Stage:
(for us since 1960 )a time of dictatorial power comensed. The animals
were intimidated,deperated, isolated in complete distress and
exclusion.
On the Brderhof whole families were sent packing in order to reach a
state of purity, and not infect the pure with their evil thoughts.This
caused traumatic experiences to many
Even weapons were used to defend the leadership by the Bruderhof
foremen.
Absolutely impossible during the time of E,A, life!.
In th e book the dictatorial powers were finaly sent away, but trust
was broken for ever.
What will happen on the Bruderhof next? Has the time come finally that
young people will ask or force changes to come about? Will they fight
for the right of personal ideas and plans? Will they fight for an open
life for each individual, to develope their own mind and personallity,
which would be a blessing to the Community?
Second book: "1984"
We find this book incredible it gives so much food for thought. The
idea that "Big brother is watching you" comes close indeed, if we hear
the stories of the last lievers!
How much freedom is given to the new Bruderhof leaver )17 18 and 19
years old?
Will they always have the feeling, that they ara followed by computer
or letters to their families being intersepted ? Will they have to live
in fear instead of finding their feet?
A frightful thought, that the Devil himself has taken hold of the
Bruderhof leadership
To us it seems quite possible that the devil sneaked in ,deguised as
the Holy Spirit
and little by little the Satan got mor power especially in the
Brotherhood, who should be alert, trustful and loving. If the members
do not speak out at such atrossities, surely the Holy Spirit will leave
them - and then what!
At this advent time all out thoughts go back to Bethlehem where 2000
years ago the christchild was born. Christ came to bring a witness from
God's love to all men on earth
and this is Christianity today - still much, very much to do!
85 years ago E.A. lived his life in faith and poverty to reach all men
with the message of Jesus Christ as the Savior. The small Community
lived in peace, trust and love in the time of the late 1930ties in
Germany, and were a beacon for light and love.
How is his memory believed today?
Is it still viable and capable to unite with all men that wish to live
so, even the own
Bruderhof born children! Is there not too much anger against them for
reasons they do not seem to understand.
Hans and Bette
