I have wanted to post this on CS for awhile now but knew it would not fly even though I think it is a question that goes to the heart of homesteading and that is how personal/religious beliefs affect how people homestead.I do not want to start a feud here nor am I looking for a bunch of conversion requests or opinions, but real views on how you all deal with it.

As a self taught student for over 25 yrs on different religions and lifestyles I have come to the opinion that not all religions are or even can be compatable with true homesteading thinking and beliefs. I see it very hard to be a true homesteader,(with beliefs of self-reliance,ex-authoritarian living,can do it all myself,etc) and be a true follower of Christian beliefs as well as Islam and some of Judaism. I myself am a ex-believing Christian and consider myself a Deist with natural living beliefs/opinions and it seems to me to be more in keeping with homesteading than the others do. What say ye?

-- TomK(mich) (tjk@cac.net), September 12, 2001

Answers

I'd like to hear why you think Christianity is incompatible with homesteading. I consider myself both, in that I follow the example of Jesus Christ, have accepted his sacrifice for my sins (been born again, if some are more comfortable with that phrase), I live the teachings as best I can. I also homestead. I'm not an isolationist, I wouldn't turn away someone in need, but I also advocate being prepared. I believe we have a mandate to be good stewards and not exploit the land. If I can be really nosy, how does one become an ex- believing Christian? Did you cease to believe Jesus existed, that he was the Son of God, that he died for your sins? If others chime in, I hope this discussion can continue without condemnation, but with an honest exchange of beliefs. I doubt any of us will change each others minds, but it would be interesting to understand why some make the choices they do.

-- melina b. (goatgalmjb1@hotmail.com), September 12, 2001.

Given your definition I can see why you feel Christianity is hard to reconcile with homesteading. Perhaps the answer is in the definition. I personally feel that Homesteading fits right in with Christianity. Christianity is about depending on God rather than on man. The Lord controls all of nature. The homesteader depends upon God's creation for food and housing and family. When I homestead I depend more upon the Lord for my livelihood and less upon the Worldly things of Man. When I homestead I cannot help but see the handiwork of God in everything around me, and in the blessings he bestows upon me day after day.

Little Bit Farm

-- Little bit farm (littleBit@compworldnet.com), September 12, 2001.

Hello Tom, For God sake Tom, religion has nothing to do with whether or not you are a "true homesteader". Jethro Kloss,(author of Back To Eden) was a minister and he was an excellent example of a true homesteader. Helen and Scott Nearing, (author of Living the Good Life) were Athesist/Communisist and they were the examples of what many homesteader believe in and follow. My neighbor is an Athesist and he has been susistant homesteading for over twenty years. My other neighbors are Baptist and they have been homesteading for nine years. I am a Scientologist and have been subsistant homesteading for a couple of years. Christian morals do and do not come into play according to the sole views of the individuals that prastice them. Now, I would say that a strong amount of self-determinism is needed for a homesteader to survive. Self-determinism is developed by doing as much for your self that you possibly can. If a Christian, Athesist, Scientologist, what have you develops his self- determinism from his personal religious convictions then it is true that religion plays an important role in homesteading. But, as a homesteader myself I can assure you that I did not rely on L Ron Hubbard to plant my gardens, or build my house, or feed my livestock, or any of the endless list of daily chores needed to keep my subsistanably here in the Ozarks. Sincerely, Ernest

-- http://communities.msn.com/livingoffthelandintheozarks (espresso42@hotmail.com), September 13, 2001.

I think whenever you become dependent on nature and the elements you become more "in tune" with the things that are...well, out of your control...so, it only stands to reason that your beliefs will give you, if not in reality, then mentally, some of the that control back. American indians are a great example of the consumate homesteaders relying soley on nature, thus their beliefs.

Oh, everyone has a belief system; even if they are aethiest, they still believe in that and not believing becomes their belief.

Sure, religion is compatable with homesteading. Religion is also compatable with any other type of life...even a the life of a terrorist. Go figure.

-- JimR (jroberts1@cas.org), September 13, 2001.

TomK,

Just so want to make a comment for better understanding. If one is a Christian it becomes more than a "religion", it becomes a relationship with Christ, the Son and God, the Father. It is very easy to become one with Nature when you know and love the very creator of all of Nature itself.

As a Christian I believe God expects us to be very good steward of His earth and all that is in and on it, so again, this is very compatible with being a Homesteader.

-- Terry - NW Ohio (aunt_tm@hotmail.com), September 13, 2001.

Gotta agree with many of you . . . some of my most religious moments come when I am outside, exploring our ranch, and witnessing some of nature's most glorious sights.

A really nice sunrise or sunset(is there any other kind?), a rain storm, following a set of animal tracks to see what that animal was up to, the list is endless. It isn't that church doesn't bring out the religion in me; it is more that my reverence for God's (or whoever you choose to thank for your bounty) somehow becomes more meaningful when I am outdoors.

I am NOT a student of religions, but have been led to believe that leading a life of helping others, being a good parent and friend, is common among most religion core beliefs. Maybe because of the differences in some minor details keeps us from seeing that "common denominator". My .02.

-- j. r. guerra (jrguerrs@boultinghousesimpson.com), September 13, 2001.

Hello J.R., I agree that one feels closer to our supreme being when one is outdoors. I have felt many moments of spiritual pleasure with the first sprouts in my spring garden. The birth of a chick, the full moon rising over our ridge, a big Indian sun setting on a clear evening, etc. Church seems so artifical compared to the real thing. Sincerely, Ernest

-- http://communities.msn.com/livingoffthelandintheozarks (espresso42@hotmail.com), September 13, 2001.

I haven't forgot about this post and will reply soon.

-- TomK(mich) (tjk@cac.net), September 15, 2001.

Some religions are more heirarchical than others, and in condensing our communication with the divine thru a priest, minister, doctor, etc. we give up some pure essence in exchange for form. People who like the form, formality, ritual and community have to be more economically linked-- they are supporting a church, etc. There is synergism in that. On the other hand, it is a distraction if one is comfortable with direct being in the natural world. Old religions, before religion was captured as a political tool, are more respectful of not coopting people into a common blended voice. I like that individualism, and feel claustrophobic or hollow in some of those structured settings. I guess it depends on how the homesteader sees her/his connection to the world organism. Some folks need to be part of the world heart pumping, and some are just hanging out waiting for evolution, when their mutant gift will be needed. I'm a Unitarian Universalist, sort of, in a native american animistic cultural- influenced community-- buddhist in altruism and rational/scientific in upbringing with a strong southern baptist family in my life, living with an agnostic eastern-influenced stoic who grew up in a very charismatic snake-handling tongue speaking little sect with itenerates (sp.) & lay preachers. We have a nice strong diversity of philosophical elements to draw from, and my guess is that many homesteaders have mulched up a blend of many sources into a land- ethic compatible worldview. (To me, Allah and God are one (kinda cartoony) so it seemed weird to hear America praying for revenge. If I prayed in a way different than planting seeds and letting things live, I'd be saying, "I'm outside this quid pro quo thing. I know about the house rule Thou shalt not kill."

-- Kathy(ok) (cathart@tah-usa.net), September 16, 2001.

I'll be praying for you.

-- Micheale from SE Kansas (mbfrye@totelcsi.net), October 15, 2001.