Comments on: Uncorrupted Christians?

By: Nathaniel Braun

Nathaniel Braun — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 20:06:51 +0000

I spent a few weeks with the Twelve Tribes in Winnipeg. All I really have to say is, best group of people I have ever met in my whole life and definitely the best lifestyle imaginable. If you are looking for something “bigger than yourself,” I can definitely recommend you check it out. It beats joining the army, and I don’t know anything like it in today’s day and age. Today’s New Age and hippie/Hindu pagan teachers pale mightily by comparison… Just my 2c.

By: Eric Christopherson

Eric Christopherson — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 17:29:32 +0000

I first met the Twelve Tribes in 1989 and first heard about them in 1984. Through the years, they’ve been kind to me as a visitor, member, and ex-member. Over the years, I’ve shared many criticisms of their life together. I currently visit one of the communities in New York State. What I mainly see is love for God and one-another. Many people like myself have left because we didn’t want to work as hard or face things in ourselves that surface when you live closely with anyone, whether it be communal living or a marriage. Am sure the communities have also made their share of mistake as well. I’m still closely examining this lifestyle and find it interesting. The love I see is genuine, and the intent to live as the early New Testament believers.

By: Joanna

Joanna — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 18:04:21 +0000

Linda you shouldn’t judge them before you have even taken the chance to get to know them. They actually do NOT turn away the needy. Frequently people come to them with nothing and they clothe and feed them. A friend of mine was homeless and living in a shelter and though she told them she didn’t want to join them even though she was very fond of them, they would bring her meals and clothing. You may not agree with them but they are good people.

By: Eric Christopherson

Eric Christopherson — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 18:07:59 +0000

I’m an ex-member of the Twelve Tribes communities who first joined in 1990, and have visited on and off since then. Through the years I’ve had good and bad things to say about them. It was easier for me to shift blame onto them, versus taking a good look at my own ways that sometimes hurt or failed others. So far, no one has been able to show me a more meaningful life. Their life isn’t for everyone, and they don’t claim that it is. The only way to really understand their culture is to simply visit and get to know the people. They seek to follow Yahshua-Jesus, and I agree with them that Christianity barely resembles the love and community of the first followers and communities of Jesus. I give them credit for what they are doing.
Having been conservative Mennonite for four years and lived with Hutterites, I see healthy similarities. Be prepared to work hard and be honest with yourself and others. They have given up everything for Jesus and one-another, but their church is open to the needy 24/7. They took me in when I had nothing and have been some of my best friends.

By: D. E.

D. E. — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 21:16:51 +0000

I just spent over 6 weeks with this group of people at their Virginia community. They are a wonderful giving people. They bend over backwards to help you and spare no cost or time. Soon i will be back with them after i resolve my worldly issues. D. E.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:51:02 +0000

This was an interesting article. It reminded me of that one (I believe was a) Christian family in the movie “Son of Rambo”. The Twelve Tribes[in this article]reminded me of that movie that I’v recently seen.
As one who was and is born Catholic, I don’t 100% agree with this lifestyle, but I still think that we should all learn to accept everyone–no matter their group affirmation or class or religion or race or gender, etc. Shouldn’t we all love another?–isn’t that what Jesus told us in one of his two greatest commandments? Just a comment to this interesting article.

By: Chezikah

Chezikah — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 23:53:57 +0000

As a former member of the tribes, I am very disappointed with this article. They are NOT a Christian group but hate Christianity and all that it represents. The Twelve Tribes believe Christianity is apostate, fallen and corrupt. Here are some quotes from their founder Elbert Spriggs concerning his beliefs about Christianity. These teachings are widely disseminated throughout the various communities! “Christianity is a mountain, a high place, where you worship idols, a false place of worship.” “The Christian church is good for nothing – not even good enough for the dung heap.” Please don’t give your readers the impression that this group is a continuation of the first church that started at Pentecost! THEY ARE NOT CHRISTIANS!

By: Bill McGarvey

Bill McGarvey — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:47:03 +0000

Thanks for your comment DGT. We did a story on Shane a while back. It can be found here: http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/the-simple-way/

By: DGT

DGT — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 07:37:33 +0000

From the article this group sounded really great. A quick look around their website reveals some disturbing things. They are against racial integration, discourage interracial marriage and have some pretty kooky theories about the innate qualities of each race. I encourage you to go their website and read some of their own statements on these matters.

If you are looking for a little more faithful witness of real Christianity I suggest looking up Shane Claiborne and “The Simple Way” community in Philadelphia. I highly recommend his books “The Irresistible Revolution” and “Jesus for President.” There are Catholic groups doing this sort of thing too.

By: Amber

Amber — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:10:31 +0000

First of all great article! Its great there are people in the world that would do such, but personally I wouldn’t do it. I can live my christian life with jewelry & makeup. So I don’t see it as such a bad thing to do if you can actually go through with it.

By: Valentine Chase

Valentine Chase — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:07:59 +0000

I guess who are we to judge,,thats not whywe are here on this earth !

By: Amy Meeks

Amy Meeks — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:19:38 +0000

Amazing article. Just how many people in today’s world could “give up” their world to do this? I think these people are for the most part trying to live the life Jesus would want.

People in today’s world are too consumed with themselves and should take a few minutes to study their life…. We should commend people of the world such as The Twelve Tribes for glorifying the world with love and goodness.

Wonderful Article!

By: Cal

Cal — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:43:36 +0000

Great story,in a world full of “greed”, it is nice people do care and want a,”simple life”. Not new video game,car,outfits. Most People, buy what Hollywood Sells,ads products,shows,films,”lifestyles”,we do not need.What makes “The Right Christ ” ???look??
People,All are a product of ” Time and Place” ?
All are in error ?? Jesus today would look modern !!

By: Linda

Linda — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:56:29 +0000

OK this is just silly. This isn’t religion but rather a bunch of nutbags who decided to withdraw from the world. And they aren’t living as Jesus intended–they only give their resources to people who think like they do. If some starving non-believer needed a buck they’d probably refuse them because they weren’t part of their hippy cult.

By: Gideon

Gideon — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:31:23 +0000

Not to be too cynical but when Penderass asks if people would spend more time with their children or perhaps invent cure for cancer if they stopped watching tv than the only response I have is “Would you invent a cure for cancer if you stopped praying for 8 hours a day?”

Horses for courses.