Christian Anarchism

[a higher way]

Hi everyone!

When I began to be drawn to Christ, back in 1989-1990, I was led to some powerful writings by Leo Tolstoy, and in particular, "The Kingdom of God is within you." The term "Christian Anarchist" came from this work, even though he himself never used it.

 

Looking through some webpages, such as this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_anarchism , I realize how much of what I believe is really more centered on "Christian Anarchism" than anything else!

 

I'd love to hear all your thoughts!

 

Blessings,

brian

[Jeannot]

Hi everyone!

When I began to be drawn to Christ, back in 1989-1990, I was led to some powerful writings by Leo Tolstoy, and in particular, "The Kingdom of God is within you." The term "Christian Anarchist" came from this work, even though he himself never used it.

 

Looking through some webpages, such as this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_anarchism , I realize how much of what I believe is really more centered on "Christian Anarchism" than anything else!

 

I'd love to hear all your thoughts!

 

Blessings,

brian

 

Have you red THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A CHRISTIAN ANARCHIST, by Ammon Hennacy of the Catholic Worker group?

[a higher way]

Have you red THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A CHRISTIAN ANARCHIST, by Ammon Hennacy of the Catholic Worker group?

 

Hi Jeannot,

Thanks for the reference. I've read a bit now about him here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammon_Hennacy

I can't find any links to his writings, so I wonder if they must be bought..?

What I've read so far is very interesting, and I agree with most of it, if not all: pacifism, christian-anarchism, following the teachings of Jesus, Ghandi, etc.

 

I think that Christian-Anarchism is very close to Christian Mysticism, since both believe that God must direct each individual, and so there is a requirement of some type of "inner experience."

Christian mystics, I think, would say that neither the church or any other authority can give man the inner experience of God. So they basically support the idea of "free thinking" or "free leading by the Spirit" in order to grow in Christ.

 

The church/state both try to "control" man and his heart, and both seem to fail quite miserably.

 

Blessings!

brian

[Spillersman]

Wow! I just joined the forum and was coming here to post about Anarchism or what is called libertarian socialism. I started studying anarchist thought about 2 years ago. I know about the various schools like mutualism, collectivism, communism, syndicalism, etc. I tend to like aspects from all of them and would support a blended community. I think you might enjoy Kropotkin, Dorothy Day, Proudhon, and some others along with Tolstoy. I'm probably closest to mutualism. I'm currently working on a book which takes in libertarian socialist ideas and makes them practical for everyday people. My focus is on taking such views to help lesson poverty and empower the poor in our society. I'm going to avoid the A word as well as the s word. (anarchism and socialism) because they are not very well understood. I call my view coopeativism. I'm putting the book together now. My core values are local communities; direct democracy; organic societies over institutionalism; greater equality; liberty/voluntarism; cooperation over coercion; solidarity; mutual aid; self sufficiency; and dynamic flexible approaches.

I think coopeativism is about empowering people rather than bureaucracies and institutions. I support worker cooperatives as an alternative to traditional corporations. I also support housing, education, and food co-ops. Hey email me Spillers36@hotmail.com