Bethshean

Introduction

David
U.S.A.

Administration & Law Editor

If you are using a text only browser, there is no real content beyond this point. All you will find is search engine fuel.

We are creating a unique experience, bethshean is a unique community. Some would consider us prosperous. But, we that prosperity is a relative thing. Some of my best times have been when I had very little money but lots of freedom and time to follow my intrests. The individual must find for themselves the balence of having and needing in their life. Some needing is a good thing, it keeps one moving forward.

one needs to be their own leader and not a blind follower. If you follow blindly, you will spend your time and money fulfilling a strangers dreams and needs

What we are not

The Federation of Egalitarian Communities is a network of communal groups spread across North America. We range in size and emphasis from small agricultural homesteads to village-like communities similar to the Israeli kibbutzim.

Each of the Federation communities:

  1. Holds its land, labor, income and other resources in common
  2. Assumes responsibility for the needs of its members, receiving the products of their labor and distributing these and all other goods equally, or according to need
  3. Practices non-violence
  4. Uses a form of decision making in which members have an equal opportunity to participate, either through consensus, direct vote or right of appeal or overrule
  5. Works to establish the equality of all people and does not permit discrimination on the basis of race, class, creed, ethnic origin, age, sex or sexual orientation
  6. Acts to conserve natural resources for present and future generations while striving to continually improve ecological awareness and practice
  7. Creates processes for group communication and participation and provides an environment which supports people's development
Here is the differences between us and them:

In Bethshean:

  1. The individuals right to personal property is respected. Bethshean holds some land as common ground. The majority is in private ownership. The members keep the fruits of their labor and can decide for themselves how best to use it.
  2. The members are responsible for themselves and to the community as a whole. Social welfare is best managed by the religious leaders and not the administration. Most people don't mind giving someone a hand up and should, but very few will help a professional victim or slacker for long.
  3. Non-Violence? Members should find the most peaceable solution they can to any conflict. That said, I can think of a few situations where violence is called for. Sometimes judicial violence is a necessary evil.
  4. We agree with this. All adult members of the community must have a say in how it is administered.
  5. Bethshean is about total equality, but not the same. Each person is different. Different needs and different abilities. Bethshean allows individuals to be different, our differences are our strengths. As membership grows, new communities are formed. Each new community will be different.
  6. We agree.
  7. We agree, but it would be better said that the community is here to assist the individual's growth and objectives. How the individual participates is up to them.

Bethshean is more about the individual and the future of humanity than the community itself.

However, we could never be considered a "commune", or even a member of The Federation of Egalitarian Communities

Please remember this page and all original content is copyright   2010 Bethshean Artists cooperative. Other copyrights apply where noted.