Thinking back on it, my first exposure to a 'planned community' was my parents' church. It was a large protestant domination in the American Midwest made of Southern transplants. Most of them came north to get better jobs than hoeing cotton. I will say this, it was the most cantankerous back-biting, back-stabbing bunch of people I have ever encountered outside a work environment. Although the church claimed to have close to a thousand members, it was the magic 150 who showed up and did the work. So it fits Orlov's definition. It might be why I never sought such communities out of any type. I had plenty of bad experiences listening to my mother whine about the other church ladies to make me never want to go anywhere near it again.
My parents were hardcore church attenders. How often did they go? Let me put it this way, I came of age in the 60's and 70's, but I still have no recollection of what TV shows were on Wednesday night (prayer meeting) or Sunday night ( evening services). So I can see how a religious community could be a determent.
I will point out that this community did not have any kind of farms or industries to support itself. They were not like the German Amish groups mentioned above. Everyone was expected to have a job, support the the family, and dump ten percent of your income to the church. There weren't any of the common 'Mega-churches' around back in those days.
I understand Vaun's reluctance to join some group just to give up your freedom. On the surface, it doesn't seem worth it unless you get to have multiple brides. . And you'd have to support those. However, Master Roosh has pointed out that, in his study of the civil war in Bosnia, people who tried to go it alone didn't last long. Those who had extended networks had a better chance of survival.
My parents were hardcore church attenders. How often did they go? Let me put it this way, I came of age in the 60's and 70's, but I still have no recollection of what TV shows were on Wednesday night (prayer meeting) or Sunday night ( evening services). So I can see how a religious community could be a determent.
I will point out that this community did not have any kind of farms or industries to support itself. They were not like the German Amish groups mentioned above. Everyone was expected to have a job, support the the family, and dump ten percent of your income to the church. There weren't any of the common 'Mega-churches' around back in those days.
I understand Vaun's reluctance to join some group just to give up your freedom. On the surface, it doesn't seem worth it unless you get to have multiple brides. . And you'd have to support those. However, Master Roosh has pointed out that, in his study of the civil war in Bosnia, people who tried to go it alone didn't last long. Those who had extended networks had a better chance of survival.