Utopias — the New Civilization Part V, Chapter One, §1 &§2
Utopian City *e2312323
Discovering the True Path of Oahspe Part V Shalam: The Father’s Kingdom on Earth Chapter 1: New Age Community Origins
1
Statement of Explanation June 23rd, 2018
The full book of which this section is a small part is not yet finished. That book is called Discovery the True Path of Oahspe.
Currently
it is but the first version. It may be several years more before it is completely finished, for example, footnotes are not standardized nor are the sources yet included. However, it is being made public, one section at a time, and even though some errors may still be found in this book of research. The motivation for doing this is to admonish right now all who mistakenly and blindly follow those who work to make Oahspe into a religious cult, thereby seeking to glorify themselves instead of really practicing what Oahspe emphatically advises. In essence, Oahspe was channeled for the new age for three main purposes: (1) to teach every person how to hear the Creator’s Voice directly without the need of a priest or seer, (2) to teach all the importance of making sacrifices, of achieving good works of service for the benefit of those in need or in darkness, and (3) to begin to work together to establish communities that are developing in Oneness with the Creator and in Harmony with the angelic heavens.
2
Discovering the True Path of Oahspe Part V Shalam: The Father’s Kingdom on Earth Chapter 1: New Age Community Origins §1
Intro to Oahspe’s Utopia
Utopian City *e2312323
Shalam is the save-the-world utopia wistfully dreamed of by the writers and readers of Oahspe.
For many Oahspe readers, the
spiritual community as described by Oahspe is perceived as unique, ideal, and yet potentially achievable. There is inherent in many new age seekers the desire to ascend into heavenly realms here and now. Why cannot all of us live in a “dream” community while still yet 3
mortal? This kind of Aquarian-Kosmon perspective can be noticed in new age seekers who have never even heard of Oahspe. For instance, the 1960s “hippie” communes were one kind of expression of such heaven-and-peace-on-earth lifestyles. Many, many more of such communities exist, past and present.
Interestingly, for myself and many other Oahspe readers, our initial reaction to reading text in Oahspe concerning The Father’s Kingdom on Earth was likely that Shalam as presented was that of being so remarkable — an original first-of-its-kind community —
long
overdue for being attempted since it would bring our world into a kind of paradiscal state. However, by no means is the utopia of Shalam, as described in Oahspe, nor the one as created in New Mexico, the first or even necessarily the highest spiritual path community in conception or application. A little further on, the §2 section shall examine new age path communities from the past.
For the search for the spiritual path is the search for truth. This has been the central clarion call for those willing to explore the new age bible Oahspe.
I can recall as a youth, while walking in my
neighborhood woods, being immersed in a sudden fiery burst of prayer where I asked for the real truth of what the universe and our lives together are all about — no matter what. That sincere prayer was answered, when a few months later, I began reading Oahspe. 4
Over the past century or more, many Faithists have literally attempted to create Shalam-style communities. Others such as myself, have had visions of the Shalam that is to be. Here is one such vision:
I Looked Up*99999999999999
I looked up and saw white clouds swirling. Out of the center of a revolving firmament, a shaft of light shone down. It also seemed like a spaceship was just behind these clouds. Then the words given in the next paragraph were proclaimed as the vision unfolded. This Single Ray of Light met our world where flames of darkness swirled to stop it, yet it soon pierced the darkness and where it fell on our earth, there sprang up green circular gardens filled with children and flowers playing together in great joy.
Then another and another light issued forth from the ship, piercing the darkness of the world at hundreds of locations around the world. The same resulted in each case — gardens of happy families who were together.
Then in a sudden stellar burst of angelic light, the garden communities united themselves into a Radiant Constellation Cosmic. 5
From this Heavenly Radiance, our whole world became illuminated, with no darkness remaining. Our world had become a star shining brightly into the universe.
< Out of the darkness, into the Light, do My Children of this new age come. The Light of all My Children shall unite, that darkness shall be no more in My Garden, this world, nor within My Children. Let all who would find My Light, turn to Me, and they shall make this world a Garden of Light that shall bear the fairest fruits and flowers this world shall ever know. All Light, All Beauty are My Gifts to My Children, who share all they have with those in need. Let no darkness come between you and your brothers and sisters. Rather look to unite the good that is in each of you, and you will find that the Light and Goodness in each of you will grow to accomplish My Will: which is that My Children shall blossom ever in Love for one another and all the Universe.>
6
ยง2 The Era of Utopia
New Harmony Buildings Present Day (1825 to 1829) *3232323238787878
7
The Amana Colony (1854 to 1932) *3232329999999999999
The Shakers at Worship (1772 to 1920) 8
*33929282828888
Amish Family, 2012
(1730 to Present Day)
*3392911188
Civilization might be described as the foundation of communities for the united purpose of improving our lives in all ways. Throughout the tens of thousands of years of recorded history, humankind has engaged in continual united-efforts to make our lives happier, more prosperous and more fulfilling.
It is easy to discern the vast technological improvements that have raised the standard of living from eons past to the present day. Less easy
to
discern,
however,
have
been
the
societal-ethical
improvements that have taken place over the past 20,000 years. 9
Are people happier than they were in millennium past? Are they more moral? More spiritual? More or less like the angels who abide in the heavens above?
Having lived in the undeveloped world for a number of years, where the highest technology was unavailable, it is not necessarily true that modern mankind has been either more moral or happier despite what seem to be advances in science and manufacturing. My conclusion is that citizens of modern society are regressing in these areas, not advancing.
Many past generations of the past few centuries would agree with me; that modern civilization has not necessarily made people happier or more fulfilling.
Their viewpoint was that despite the best
efforts of their nation and local communities to come together for the betterment of all, they have nonetheless failed to foster truly spiritual, fulfilling lifestyles. At best, economics, conveniences, and technology have been successfully fostered.
Therefore, being dissatisfied and yet unwilling to simply endure their current living conditions, there have been, especially in recent centuries, pioneering efforts to create and recreate new communities and societies that would foster the best spiritual, philosophical and educational elements possible in each person. 10
Such social-religious movements were encapsulated in The Great Awakening movements from the 1700s to the present day.
These
new communities, also known as utopias, while having been seriously or fatally flawed in various aspects, nevertheless, have been started up in the thousands over the past few centuries. Each of these communitiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; members perceived serious flaws or evils inherit in their current-day society and so sought to circumvent or escape from the negative consequences of belonging to their regular societal communities of the time, through establishing a new religious-philosophical-spiritual order of how to live in the most ideal manner possible. *838388
For from times primeval, we humankind have been seekers of our unfolding immortality, â&#x20AC;Ś of how to achieve salvation â&#x20AC;Ś and of our place in the universe. We have been seeking how to answer such timeless questions as:
11
What is the meaning of life? Is there life after death? Who is God?
For only to the degree that answers to these questions may be discovered, have any correspondingly been able to achieve their dreams, to develop a real happiness and inner peace.
Nevertheless, in order to discover these kind of answers — those which are the real spiritual truths — in order to be “saved” — multitudes have joined or been coerced into or even most commonly, been born into a multitude of religious groups and mystical paths. The result has found the majority of these persons falling more under the sway of darkness and bondage rather than the original goals: universal light and personal freedom.
In truth, we have been seeking heaven itself, and yet for some even more so — sometimes seeking heaven on earth as well. This second case may be aptly summarized as millions of Christians have prayed for thousands of years:
Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done On Earth as it is in Heaven* 3212111 12
With the possible exception of the Amish and the Quakers, the Christians and other
world religions have failed to deliver any unto
some kind of utopian community — where earth becomes heaven, so have millions sought to build their own utopia, or at the least, escape the violent or freedomless oppression of the world religions.
This phenomena of utopia-creation took off many decades before Shalam came to be, before it was even idealized in Oahspe. To demonstrate this, let us consider some of the utopia of the 1880s.
It should be kept in mind that this utopia summary table is far from comprehensive when in fact hundreds of such communities were attempted just in the 1880s alone.
At any rate, just as spiritualism in
the 1880s became a worldwide movement to enlighten — and yet at times deceive — many tens of thousands, so too would the utopian movement also at times bring about a higher harmonious communal lifestyle for several hundred thousand — yet even more often, decimate or even destroy the lives of its participants.
One easy conclusion to make is that the new eras of spiritualism and utopia-building were fostered by the heavens above and were planned by the divine powers as a new spiritual transformation to 13
change the world for the better. I say “for the better” — despite the frequent tragedies that occurred to thousands who participated in such new age lifestyles — because both paths are paths to greater spiritual attunement and ascension — for the individual and for the world.
In truth, there is no alternative to real knowledge and real community — the elements of resurrection — otherwise only anarchy and sinful bondange can, has, and will result. Simply taking a look at our current societal collapse would help one to realize just that.
For the paths of spiritualism and utopia are a sign of the maturing of our world where all persons and peoples must learn how to discriminate the true from the false, and how to set themselves and others free from the darkness and tetracts by which mortals or spirits so often intend to enslave and harm those who would listen to them.
Basically, a new era of civilization has begun and this beginning can be measured as lasting several centuries, the “dan” of the new age of Aquarius-Kosmon. Fortunately, this will be an era of greater and greater light, love and harmony, though not without the dark entities, the beasts of religious and political tyranny,
seeking to destroy all
before their time is ended. Some American Utopian Communities in the 1880s*1098765 14
Year
Colony Name
USA State
Founder
(Duration)
Begun
Notes
and ended
Christian Bible-based yet nevertheless, an even greater emphasis is placed on personal commitment to one’s inner light, to pacifism, and the equality of all races and sexes. Quakers (Friends) (363+years)
Endured deadly persecution, even execution
Mary PA, NJ, Fischer DE Ann Austin
1656 present
to for their beliefs, in the Quakers’ early stages, especially in Europe, but also in America. The Quakers
founded
communities
superb
which
were
rural
farming
preponderantly
successful. Worldwide communities in the hundreds of thousands of members exist, with about 87,000 members in the USA currently.
Christian Bible-based with formal worship in the members’ homes. Their core values include
pacifism,
nonresistance,
manual labor, and rural life.
As with the
to Quakers, Amish were murdered in Europe and so sought to escape persecution by taking present haven in America, particularly in William 1730
Amish PA (299+years)
humility,
Jacob Amman
Penn’s religious protection laws of the time in Pennsylvania.
Amish in the present day
number several hundred thousand belonging to several sects, with the older order being the group that rejects modern conveniences.
15
God is male-female. Second Coming of Jesus. Self-sufficient
communities,
skillful
in
all
related rural-farm life professions. Major Shakers NY (138 years)
Mother Ann Lee
1772 to
values included celibacy, pacifism, care of orphans, equality of sexes. Shakers were
1920
especially
known
for
their
ecstatic
spontaneous prayer, dance and song during worship. At its peak, over 20 communities and over 4,000 members.
This was a Harmonites Village. The Harmony Old
Society
Economy Village
PA
George
1824
Rapp
1906
is
a Christian
to theosophy and pietist society in Iptingen, Germany,
in
founded 1785.
Inititially
celibate while generating revenue via
(82 years )
rural
and industrial enterprises.
Nashoba TN (3 years)
Frances Wright
New Harmony
IN
Robert Owen
(4 years)
1825 to
An abolitionist, free-love community in theory but freedom was only obtained by slaves
1828
1825 to 1829
earning enough money to buy their freedom.
Harmonites
Village.
Naturalist
research
achievements.
A libertarian socialist community that broke New
away from the Old Economy Village because
Philadelphia Colony
PA
Bernhard MĂźller
1832 to 1833
1 leader declared himself the messiah. This group would later on move to Louisiana in order to be
(1 year)
latitude.
16
located at the proper biblical
Oberlin Colony
OH
John
J. 1833
Shipherd
to Christian community based on communal
1843
ownership of property
(10 years)
George Brook Farm MA (5 years)
and
1841
Sophia
1846
to A Transcendent community whose members share a mystical outlook on life
Ripley
North American Phalanx
NJ
Charles
1843
Sears
1856
to
A rural-farming, community based on the profit-sharing / performance wage ideas of Charles Fourier, a French philosopher.
(13 years)
A community based on "Practical Christianity", which
Hopedale Community
MA
Adin Ballou
1842
championed
such
to as temperance, abolitionism,
1868
rights, spiritualism and
(26 years)
ideals Women's
education.
The
community finally closed due to financial insolvency.
A Transcendent community which excluded all Fruitlands MA (1 year)
Amos
1843
Alcott
1844
to
animal products and labor. Most of the members knew nothing about farming nor wanted to labor at it, and so the commune soon ended.
Skaneateles Community
Society for NY
Universal Inquiry
1843 1846
to Abolitionists but otherwise equally divided as to atheism, free love, rejection of government authority, the renunciation of private property,
17
(3 years)
vegetarianism.
The division in their beliefs
and harshness of living conditions forced the communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s closure.
One of over 300 Fourier Society communities. This one started with over 300 members. The land had been already richly developed by the Sodus
Shakers, who left because a canal had been
Bay
Phalanx
NY
Sodus Bay 1844 Fourierists
to proposed to reach this site. Nevertheless,
1846
religious dissension gradually destroyed the
(2 years)
community as half were Christians and half were new thought / new agers, disagreements over when to work and what to eat what to produce tore the group apart.
A Fourier Society community that prospered so much that financial gain became the chief
Wisconsin Phalanx
WI
Albert
1844
to concern of its members. In 1850, the members
Brisbane
1850
unanimously agreed to sell the land at a high
(6 years)
profit, with many of its members leaving for the California gold rush.
Clermont Phalanx
Followers OH
of Charles Fourier
(1 year)
A Fourier Society community which after 1844
to failure, was followed by two more settlement
1845
attempts that soon failed as well, due to the flooding of the Ohio River.
Originally composed of Quakers, A Society for Prairie Home
John
Community
Wattles
1844
Valentine
1845
(1 year)
OH
O.
Universal Inquiry and Reform community,
Nicholson
to
continually sought to bring in new members from prisons, poorhouses and the homeless. The inclusion of the criminal and immoral, while noble in aim, resulted in chaos and
18
violent attacks for the original members who ultimately soon quit the community.
Union Home Community
IN
John Wattles
O. 1844
to
1846
The OH
John Wattles
O. 1846
which never became financially viable and so soon was abandoned.
(2 years)
Brotherhood
A socialist spiritualist farming community
to
1847
A socialist spiritualist farming community which was destroyed by a flood on the Ohio River.
(1 year)
A Fruit Hills OH (7 years)
Orson Murray
S. 1845
to
1852
farming
community
based
on Owenism and anarchism. Maintained close contact with the Kristeen and Grand Prairie Communities. It failed due to disease and to economic failure.
Vegetarian-community whose main industry was the lumber and timber trade. This group, and half-dozen others, were created by the A Kristeen Community
IN
Charles
1845
Mowland
1847
to
Society for Universal Inquiry and Reform community organization. The values of this society included being advocates of education
(2 years)
reform, womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rights, and a non-sectarian humanistic
religion.
They
were
staunch
abolitionists.
Bishop
Hill
Colony
A Swedish Pietist Christian commune known IL
Eric
1846
Jansson
1862
(16 years)
to
for its hard-working dedicated members, close to 2,000, many of whom were immigrants persecuted in Sweden. The community ended
19
when its members decided to divide all its holdings equitably among all members to avoid ruinous financial obligations.
A Fourier Society community which disbanded Spring Farm Colony
10 WI
Fourierite Families
(2 years)
1846
to
1848
over disagreements over where the colony should
be
established
and
over
their
application to become incorporated being turned down by the territorial legislation.
A Christian whose
utopian
socialism
community
practices included communalism,
polygamy, building the New Jerusalem since Oneida Community
NY
John
H. 1848
Noyes
to
1880
Jesus’ second coming was thought to have occurred in 70 AD. It ended over internal power struggles and the younger members
(32 years)
rebelling over statuatory
rape “underaged”
sex so that they could engage in traditional marriage.
A group of egalitarian communes based on the French
utopian
movement,
primarily
consisting of French immigrants. The colony flourished after some tribulations but the Icarians LA (50 years)
Étienne
1848
to morality of its members who indulged in sinful
Cabet
1898
behavior such as in using drugs, alcohol, tobacco or refused to work or stole and sold community property, or satiated themselves in gluttony, all of these
ultimately
led to the
disbandment of the utopia.
Amana
IA
The Community
1854
20
to
The Amana villages were built one hour apart when traveling by ox cart. Each village had a
Colonies
of
True 1932
church,
Inspiration
a
farm,
multi-family
residences,
workshops and communal kitchens. The
(78 years)
original founders were skilled farmers and builders from Germany who were seeking to escape persecution. These 7 villages peaked in population at 1,800 and in total assets of $1,800,000 in 1908. The communal system continued
until
1932,
when
the
Great
Depression and earlier fires had destroyed much of the communitiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; wealth.
One of the more successful utopias of the century, as a Christian utopian commune, which became known for its orchards, food, Aurora Colony
OR
William Keil
1853
to
1883
music, textiles, furniture, and other crafts as well as its communal lifestyle and German traditions. It peaked at 600 members and
(30 years)
dissolved because its leader, who legally owned all assets, died without any legal contingencies set up.
A
community
based
on free
love
and spiritualism which was not cut off from the regular society where most of its members
Free Lovers at
Davis
House
OH
Francis
1854
Barry
1858
(4 years)
to
earned their income. Its members were 10 men and 10 women. Nearby locals protested the going-onâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in the community vigorously and the nearby law enforcement arrested most of its members, forcing them to leave the country.
Reunion Colony
TX
Victor
P.
Consideran
1855 1857
to A utopian socialism community consisting of French, Swiss, and German immigrants. They built their community from scratch with no
21
(2 years)
t
outside help and only the materials and supplies
they
themselves.
had
Initially,
transported despite
the
with harsh
conditions, the community remained upbeat and united. However, as Considerant became more and authoritarian, deep resentments and a lack of trust developed, and so the community ended.
Vegetarianism had become for the first time popular in America. It was seen as healthy and anti-oppressive.
This community never got
off the ground though 50 vegetarian families
Octagon City KS (1 year)
Henry
travelled to Kansas to start the community.
Clubb
Poor planning, poor housing, and a lack of
Charles
1856
to resources meant that the families had to
DeWolfe
1857
choose between abandoning the community
John
or starving to
death. Incidentally, the
McLaurin
founders planned to build 8-sided houses because that shape was more economical and harmonious; however while this was planned, nothing was ever built save for the most primitive shelters.
Workingmen'
A community based on socialism, in this case,
s
Followers
Co-operative
of James
1869
Bronterre
1874
KS
Colony
O'Brien
Colony
KS
William Fey
just 6 families from London. It suddenly ended when infestations of grasshoppers began. Families then deserted the colony for nearby cheaper land.
(5 years)
Progressive
to
1871 1879
A Russian to Located near Cedar Vale. communist colony known for its strange mixture of atheism and liberal Christianity.
22
(8 years)
Fell apart through the domineering and sometimes cruel manner of its founder, William Frey.
A utopian socialist community Located near Danish
Hays which was founded by Danish socialist
Socialist
Louis Pio, convicted of treason and later
Colony
KS
Louis Pio
1877 only
bribed by the police to leave Denmark. The colonists found the emptiness of western
(3 weeks)
Kansas too oppressive. Thus the utopia only survived a few months in 1877.
New
age
bible
Oahspe-based.
Over
$1,000,000 in financial backing. Vegetarian and spiritualism lifestyle. At its peak, about 40 members and 20 orphans. Serious internal John
Shalam Colony
NM
(17 years)
B.
disputes
Newbrough 1884 Andrew
1901
Howland
over
property
ownership
and
to community operational decisions. Virtually all agricultural efforts were complete failures. Therefore a mass exodus of almost all members after a few year, leaving only a handful of those closest to Newbrough and Howland to doggedly continue in great hardship for the next 15 years.
A
potpourri
community that George H. Home, Washington (24 years)
Allen WA
Oliver
A.
Verity
of
diverse
included
philosophies
anarchists
(who
insisted that community rules be kept to a 1895 1919
to minimum), nudists, free love advocates, and socialists. For $1, new members received 2 acres of land to use as they wished to support
B. F. O'Dell
themselves. Serious troubles began after the assassination of President McKinley in 1901, for new federal laws were passed against
23
many of anarchist or â&#x20AC;&#x153;immoralâ&#x20AC;? practices or against simply the published writings of the community, for which some of its leaders were imprisoned. After all of these conflicts, the younger generation decided to abandon the colony.
The Spirit
Fruit
Society was
a communitarian group in the United States that was organized after a period of repeated business depressions during the 1890s. The Spirit
essential philosophy of the group was based
Fruit
Society
OH, IL, Jacob
1899
CA
1930
Beilhart
to upon a belief in self-renunciation, hard work,
(31 years)
service
unto
others,
tolerance,
self-responsibility, individual freedom, and peace.
Throughout its existence, the society
never claimed more than a couple dozen members. They never actively recruited new members nor proselytized.
And so thousands of brave (or perhaps naive, in many cases), idealistic, and dedicated souls have sacrificed their blood, sweat, tears, treasure, and lives towards the creation of utopias.
And
doing so in the 1800s meant far more starting up hardships than doing so in modern times due to 1800â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s harsher, wilder environments and the absence of all modern / medical conveniences.
On the
other hand, the average rural family of such times often had the skills and temperament to successfully set up a farmstead community as a matter of course owing to the more independent old-fashioned nature-enriched lifestyles of the times. 24
As hundreds and hundreds of such communities were initiated in just this 19th century, so we can safely conclude that the heavens above, in alignment with this era’s cosmic cycle forces, inspired these pioneers to take the plunge.
It was also a time of great social
conflict where the evils of slavery, worker exploitation, religious intolerance, and women subjugation blazed away. This effectively meant that millions of Americans were leading miserable lives where they were, more often than not, hungry, freedomless, penniless, homeless, sick, and outcasts, even in “the land of the free.” So yes, there were millions of Americans ready for a very positive change.
Hence, these community founders possessed a basis for their fervent desires to make their nation and their world a better place for themselves, and for all, if only a Utopian Model Community might first be established.
No doubt such founders, despite their utopia-foundation hardships, had their share of “universal transcendence” moments, where the higher consciousness of being one with the surrounding beauty-filled nature, as well as with their new family, their “brothers and sisters” of “the new community,” were in fact, pure exhilaration.
Nevertheless, while undergoing the grueling process of establishing 25
a community, there must at times have been crushing exhaustion. There must have been nerve-wracking uncertainty about the future. Furthermore, learning to live with those few (or many) whose negative personalities and personal views might have been painful to adjust to, were also major reasons why so many quit their communes after just a few months.
A utopia by definition is a society of perfect happiness and tranquility. Thus those about to embark upon entering into the same can be forgiven for believing heaven on earth awaited them.
Thus many of
these new age workers must have been somewhat shocked to discover reality did not exactly match their idealized expectations. Naturally, it is doubly difficult to face challenges which are unexpected.
Nonetheless, we can all be invincible versus any challenge with the right determination, intentions, and faith in the Great Spirit Omnipresent. create
a
You see, besides the heavenly inspiration to join or
new
society,
these
idealists
often
held
special
spiritual-religious-political beliefs that they desired their new community to more fully unfold in its hoped-for harmonious utopia. Such feelings must have often been empowering in working to overcome the beginning adversities. Additionally, having similar spiritual goals amongst members would have a similar strengthening 26
effect.
In line with the required inner spiritual fortitude, a review of the above communities would find that each group had a blend of philosophical-spiritual tenets that would have been their basis as to why they wished to establish a utopian community. Such shared principles would have included a mixture of the following values: spiritualism, free love, communism, rural-farming lifestyles, celibacy, vegetarianism, mysticism, abolitionism, equality of sexes, pacifism, and non-traditional, non-hierarchical Christianity.
The study of these utopia groups, whether they soon failed or endured for decades, provides an opportunity to learn how to (and how NOT to) build and prosper the new age communities of our dreams. A look at the groups which succeeded best, at least in terms of longevity and harmony, would show that following utopian societies did best: 1. Quakers (363 years and counting) 2. Amish (299 years and counting) 3. Shakers (138 years) 4. Old Economy Village (82 years ) 5. Amana Colonies (78 years) 6. Icarians (50 years) 7. Oneida Community (32 years) 27
8. Spirit Fruit Society (31 years) and 9. Aurora Colony (30 years).
Some of the major factors in these utopian communities being successful
include:
(1) Many members have community-building specialized skills in such critical areas as carpentry, farming, livestock raising, and medicine.
(2) Community decision-making power was distributed fairly equally among all members rather than only in the hands of a few elites Additionally, community operation decisions and justice were rendered in a democratic fashion with individual rights respected.
(3) The communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s setting has natural resources that can be judiciously used to sustain the colonies agricultural and energy needs.
28
(4) Community-wide acceptance of shared spiritual principles such as mutual respect, self-responsibility, industriousness, and artistically creative expression. These four areas of community-building are each essential for a utopia group to flourish.
Failing in even one area means the group
as a community will, sooner or later, fail. For example, not having enough food to eat — due to increasing weakness — will ruin the community’s capability to raise more food. It would also increase the likelihood of injury or sickness. Correspondingly, a community of abusive leaders who constantly humiliate and insult their constituents while burdening them with oppressive tasks and stupid dogma — yes, the people who live under such a yoke will consider themselves not to be in a utopia but rather in hell — and when they wake up and smell the coffee, they will leave!
Yet nothing mortal is forever, and in the end, all earthly societies, nations and cities will collapse. Based on the above research of 30+ utopian communities, let’s next summarize reasons why such social groups fail and / or are abandoned by their members.
The major reasons why utopian communities fail include: (1) Economic non-sustainability due to being unable to produce enough energy, food, and financial resources; 29
(2) Tyrannical individuals or ruling class making community life oppressive and emotionally painful for the common member; (3) A majority of members either not wanting to earn their keep, or not having the practical skill set to contribute to the economic well-being of their community; (4) In-fighting over incompatible views on diet, lifestyle, community protocol, spiritual viewpoints, and inequities in how the economic wealth was being shared; and (5) Second-generation members deciding their communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lifestyle is not for them.
Concerning community failure reason number (2), this is one of the key features of how a utopia is transformed into a cult, where the members are mentally brainwashed to submit to the cruelties and falsehoods of the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leader (s). In such cases, the mental, emotional and physical dangers for the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s members can be very extreme. Part Five, Chapter Two, and Part Six, shall cover these tragedies in more detail. Based on the convincing evidence given in Part Four, it is clear that John Newbrough and his associate spirits of the Masonic realms fully intended to run Shalam as a cult. In this Part Five, The Shalam Colony, and future renditions of the cult lodges Newbrough instigated, the cult mentality-spirituality practices will be shown in all their detrimentality. The truth is, even though the community technically existed for about 16 years, virtually everyone 30
left it in less than two years. That is, the Shalam Colony was not just a cult that drove everyone away â&#x20AC;&#x201D; it also absolutely failed as a community on many levels even with massive financial backing.
Nonetheless, the future of our world will be utopian communities where tyranny, poverty, violence, prejudice, alienation, indoctrination, and fear will be replaced by the Spirit of Love.
Prairie Crossing, Illinois, 2015 *44442222
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