Leaving The Hutterite Colony, INTERVIEW

August 11, 2007 · Filed Under Hutterites · 11 Comments  
Hello All

Please see the e-mail below from a fine lady from Medicine Hat, AB who recently contacted me about a request she has.

I personally spoke with Gail and she has given me permission to post her request on this Blog.

If you are a Hutterite who lives in the area who has either left the colony or joined please contact Gail.

If you prefer to voice your thoughts here instead, then by all means do so.

BTW:  Here is a special SHOUTOUT to Marty. How are things?

Have a wonderful day my friends and STAY SAFE.Jerry

Below is the original e-mail..

-------------------------

Hi Jerry - my name is Gail Jansen and I am a writer with the Prairie Post Newspaper, in Southern Alberta, Canada.

It is with great interest that I stumbled upon your blog.  I am interested in doing a story on Leaving the Colony (about someone such as yourself that chose to leave the colony), with a possible follow up on "Entering the Colony" (about someone who was not born Hutterite but rather joined later on in life) and wonder if you mighthave contact names or information for people in Southern Alberta, who might be willing to share their stories with me.

You may contact at me at this address, or at the following contact information:

Gail Jansen

Medicine Hat News/Prairie Post3257 - Dunmore Rd. SEMedicine Hat, AB

(403) 528-8630 (bus)  (403) 952-6688 (cell)email:  gjansen@shaw.ca gjansen@medicinehatnews.com

Thank you for any assistance you may be able to give.

Sincerely,Gail

Tags:

What is the Iraq War Solution?

April 29, 2007 · Filed Under Hutterites · 12 Comments 

I know this video has nothing to do with HutteriteBlog.com but it has everything to do with it because the Hutterites live in this Country, of course the Canadian Hutterites are excluded here, but you get the drift.

Just wanted to share my thoughts. This is a response to a friend of mine on YouTube, (1938superman) hence the reference in the video

The war is Iraq is very sad, but so is not being able to live in Peace at home.

Have a great day.. Pray for our soldiers today..
Jerry

Tags:

Hutterite Video Series #3 – Why I Chose To Leave The Colony

April 22, 2007 · Filed Under Hutterites · 12 Comments 

Hello My Friends..

I am not sure why the audio in this video is out of sync but you will notice it is.. YouTube has been screwy lately so I apologize for that..

Comments and Questions are appreciated as always..

All My Best
Jerry

Tags:

Update: The video has been removed

April 9, 2007 · Filed Under Hutterites · 18 Comments 

EDIT:

This message as sent to me by the user who uploaded the video that this Blog Post was originally about…

————-

Message: Just an Update. I have deleted the Video of offense. A little History on the video for you.

We at NeF had a School Assignment to create a video of controversy. After hearing a drunken story from a friend we decide to use it as a base for our video. Without any research or anything else we went ahead. After having are video previewed for the assignment, we were all expelled from are media Studies class and Suspended for 2 weeks from all other classes. We are sorry for the people offended and all the others that may have been disgusted with our video. There is no way we can really apologize and I hope that some day we can make peace with what we did.

-NeF

———————————

Tags:

The Agape Love of "This Man"

April 6, 2007 · Filed Under Hutterites · 3 Comments 

Hello Friends

I woke up this morning grabbed my cup of coffee, called my mother, as I do certain days, and she asked me if I knew what day it was..of course the first thought that entered my mind this morning was the significance of today’s sacred holiday within the Christian Community..so bless the soul of the mother, they always know what their children are thinking, and I truly believe that if it ever came right down to it there is not a single mother in the world who would not relive the “Crucifixion” for their children.

I knew I had to find a video about the AGAPE love “One Man” showed for all of us (his beloved children) so I searched YouTube and I found this amazing piece by YouTube user liveforeverprod.

He actually made this video as a tribute to his Grandmother.. and I thank him for his beautiful work..

The video is from Passion of the Christ and the song is titled “This Man” .. It is sung by Jeremy Camp

Please have a safe Easter weekend..

Blessings
Jerry

Tags:

Drunk, Blond, Blue-Eyed College Boys & Hutterites

April 1, 2007 · Filed Under Hutterites · 16 Comments 

At 8:07 PM, March 31, 2007, Andy Asked The Following Question..

I know you stated that we could ask you anything – well here it goes.

I live in North Dakota and have had the opportunity to meet a number of Hutterites from the Aberdeen SD and Hawley MN area.

Over the last 6-10 years I have heard, what I have always thought of as an “urban legend”, that the Hutterites would bring men into the colony for the sole purpose to impregnate their women. I have heard that it is tough to control “inbreeding” within the colony. At one point I heard that the Hutterites would look for drunk, blond haired, blue-eyed college boys in Aberdeen SD… and then bring them to the colony…

Anyway, I know it was a silly question, but had to ask. Have you ever heard this?

———————————–
I knew it would only be a matter of time before someone would ask that question. I have heard this at various social functions throughout the years.

The first time I heard this rumor was when I first left the colony in the year of 1993. I do not believe that the shock and the nature in which I was asked this question will ever wear off. This person asked me if it was true that we load our women up in Horse-Trailers and take them to town for “Breeding Day” Needless to say I was STUNNED and I knew at that point that I would have to address this some day.. Bingo.. That day has arrived.

With all the hype this Blog has created among the Hutterite Colonies you probably think that I have officially lost it by talking about this “urban legend” on such a public Blog but as I have stated before this Blog was created for information purposes so that is why I have an obligation to answer Andy’s question..

The biggest mistake people make is by never answering searing questions, no matter how uncomfortable they might be.. Not answering a question means something might be true. The media is really good at this technique.. How many times have we heard something like the following on the local or national news. “Mr. Smith has been accused of stealing millions of dollars from the Rosie O’ Donnell Pancake Fund and all calls made to his residence, his business and his mistress HAVE NOT been returned” What is the next logical human assumption… Oh my god the rumor is “true” Mr. Smith DID take all the pancake money..

Of course I would be lying through my teeth, if I did not tell you I knew beforehand…. that I would have some uncomfortable, odd and crazy questions going into this project B U T that is part of the reason I created this Blog. The time has come for someone to have the guts to stand up and address some of the insensitive things floating around about Hutterites because staying in the shadows or out of the media spotlight as Hutterites often do, only contributes to the fact that people think the Hutterites are hiding some horrible secret… My friends, I have never been one to turn the other cheek and run away scared from a tough question and I am not about to start. I know that you have heard this myth yourself and here is your chance to clear the air..

To my Hutterite readers: Go ahead and answer this from your point of view and bury this “urban legend” once and for all.

My Answer: As an Ex-Lehrerleut Hutterite I will tell you that Lehrerleut Hutterites marry all year long and they find their wife’s from the oodles and oodles of other unrelated Lehrerleut Hutterite Colonies.. They are NOT limited to marrying inside their own colony and they certainly do not take the book of moral values and throw it out the window just to keep their bloodlines pure. Lehrerleut Hutterites do not practice the “urban legend” and they never have..

Here is a tidbit along the lines of NEW Hutterite blood and the “urban legend”… A Lehrerleut Ex-Hutterite who has a child outside of the colony with an “English” girl cannot bring the child back to the colony (as a new Hutterite member) should he decide to go back for whatever reason. Furthermore Lehrerleut Ex-Hutterites cannot go back to the colony if they have fathered a child outside of the colony. That fact all my itself is proof that Lehrerleut Hutterites do not practice the “urban legend”..

I kindly ask my Hutterite friends to address this issue based on their perspective Branches.. Schmiedeleut, Dariusleut, etc…

Peace and Harmony
Jerry

PS: Andy is simply asking a question so do not shoot the messenger. This question originated from somewhere, years ago, and he was courageous enough to ask the question publicly.

Tags:

Education. To learn or not to learn

March 29, 2007 · Filed Under Hutterites · 9 Comments 


The Blog has taken the path of education, so I would like to address some of the comments, questions etc.

I will say that it has been a very positive conversation thus far and the emotion has died down and taken a back seat. That is wonderful as sometimes we get so caught up in things, that we lose track of what we were talking about in the first place..

We have partly discussed the education process in the Schmiedeleut and the Lehrerleut branches of Hutterites.. But we have not heard yet from any Dariusleut Hutterites. (I don’t believe we have anyway) If you are a Dariusleut Hutterite and you are reading this please feel free to add your education process.

Dorty Wrote: This is quite interesting, there appear to be certain branches that embrace education and even drivers licenses for the women, while the Lehrerleut do neither which in my opinion is unfortunate.

I do agree with you Dorty, I really do and I could not have said it any better..

I was very surprised to hear that the Schmiedeleut are as advanced as they are with their educations and everything…It is absolutely wonderful as it is a shame to see the stream of a humans potential never fully realized..The Schmiedeleut are tapping into that stream, and they are doing that very well…

The technology gizmo’s and the education process may vary between the Schmiedeleut and the Lehrerleut but the “Internal Religious Beliefs” are pretty much the same. Here is an interesting tidbit though..the Lehrerleut do not necessarily agree with the advances of the Schmideleut and that is NOT my opinion.. “that is what I hear among the chatter of the Lehrerleut”.. Do I agree with this… NO I DO NOT.. My hat is off to anyone who chooses higher education..

Dorty: Education is liberation,there is no doubt about that. Is it possible the reason that higher education is not pursued or encouraged by the colony leaders, is to keep the young people from leaving like yourself, Jerry?

I will be very honest with you here Dorty. I have said those same exact words many many times, because with an education beyond the teachings of the culture, people change, and the light they see is brighter, .. it takes them down a whole different path.

The real question is: “Are the Lehrereleut really trying to keep people from learning so that they stay in the comfort zone or do they simply not know any better based on their OWN education?..

I do not believe that limited education is to keep the members in the colony..because you have to remember that the elders in the colony have the same level of education as the young people do. So they basically do not know what is out there.. The Schmiedeleut comment below kinda shoots that theory.. This is an interesting debate though.

Dorty: Think about it, yourself as an example, do you think you would have stayed in the Hutterite colony had you received education beyond eight grade?

I cannot honestly answer that question at this point as I have always been one to think differently. Not quite sure why, but I am one who formed his own opinions even while I was still in the colony. I always joke with my mom .. “You grabbed the wrong baby. Her reply: “That is impossible son, you were born at home”. SIDENOTE: 99.9% of all Lehrerleut Hutterite babies are NOT born at home in these times..

My point is that for some reason at the age of 18 I decided to leave the colony. This was an abrupt decision..a spur of the moment choice, I made.. I was one of those who “would never leave in a million years”.. I was a mommas boy and I remember one day when I was 17.. My moms sister was visiting and she told my mother.. “He will never leave the colony”.. my mom smiled “I know” she said.. Maybe it was at that moment that I made a decision to be “who I wanted to be and not what my aunt thought I should be”.. I left shortly after that and the day my aunt said that, was the first day ever..that I thought there might be a chance that I COULD leave..I am mentioning this because I never forgot that remark by my aunt. Just like everyone else, I have a million childhood memories but that one for some strange reason is the one I think most about…

In my opinion education is obtaining knowledge. It opens doors that otherwise would remain closed. Education challenges one to think, rationalize, deduct and problem solve with a vast knowledge base. Please don’t misunderstand me, one doesn’t have to have an education to use ones brain, but the potential is infinite when we have direction and purpose. So many of the scientists who have gone on before us were German. I see the Hutterites, like I said yesterday, with so much potential but not the drive to pursue higher callings simply because education is not a high priority.

Hmm.. Are you sure we are not related.. (smiles)

I’m sure many of the colonies do well with an eight grade education running their industries, some seem to thrive especially in the agriculture sector. It appears they are not afraid to employ the latest in farming equipment and technology. I can’t help but wonder though, if they would be as successful in their operations if they encouraged their children to seek higher education or would they just dwindle away?

Comment By A Schmiedeleut Hutterite Blog Reader: Dorty, it has been proven among the Schmiedeleut that a higher education does not make us want to leave. Rather, it has strengthened our respect for ourselves, that is, our culture and religion. Most importantly it has forced us to make changes for the better where changes were terribly needed.

Comment By Another Schmiedeleut Hutterite Blog Reader: I agree that it has been proven that it does not necessarily want to make Hutterites in Manitoba leave. It does however cause some of them to leave. I would say that it is less than those who are denied the opportunity.

Great dialogue and I thank you for reading.. State your thoughts..

Peace
Jerry

Tags:

What You Resist You Invite.. Why are you?

March 25, 2007 · Filed Under Hutterites · 41 Comments 

So it appears that because I have left the colony, I have lost all of my rights..

Quoting the words of fanatics like David Tschetter.. I can never speak about the Hutterite Culture because…

“You represent the Weak, the Unfaithful who start different religions, the Corrupt whose main objective is money, and last but not least, the Deserters like yourself, who have abandoned their baptism vows and have forsaken everything that our culture stands for”

Those are some harsh words from David a so called “Hutterite” (please be aware that David is a religious freak and he represents about 1% of Hutterites)..

I have not started a different religion and by the way those Hutterites that leave (or break away in groups) still worship the same God you do..

Also David.. I AM NOT A BAPTIZED HUTTERITE.. you claim to be this person of a very high intelligence level but yet you cannot do simple Math..

I have been gone for over 14 years..
I am 32 years old
32-14= 18 years old when I left..

I do not know too many Lehrerleut Hutterites who get baptized at 18 years old.. DO YOU?

Getting back to me not being qualified to speak about this..

This means that the entire world is out of whack and that NO AUTHOR is entitled to write a book about anything other than their respective profession etc..

Please keep in mind that I am simply talking about a topic which many people wanted to know more about..and I had never intended to bring out the ignorance of people like David Tschetter, etc… This was always supposed to be an educational BLOG but it has turned into a war of opinions amongst me and certain Hutterite Fanatics..

Please bear with me as I will get back on track, but..I had to make a response to all this..

Jerry

Tags:

The Secret of Life Is YOU ..The Golden Rule..

March 18, 2007 · Filed Under Hutterites · 6 Comments 

Hello My Friends..

Here is a video I put together (just the voice-over) in conjunction with the amazing film called “The Secret”..

If you have not watched “The Secret” in its entirety than I highly recommended that you do as it will affirm and connect the dots of the WHY, the WHAT, the HOW, etc.. in this beautiful thing we call.. life..

For years I have spoken about some of the concepts in the secret to my family and friends.. and watching this film confirmed that my thoughts and my passion for living life in harmony with the way the higher power intended us to live it…was right all along..

I know many of you know about “The Secret” and to those of you.. “The Secret” is not a secret at all.. For people of the Christian faith.. Jesus summed it all up in Matthew 1: 12.. For others you have come to know it as “The Golden Rule” and on and on and on.. No matter what your motivation for living a spiritual life is…. “The Secret” is found within every CORE of the belief system of the world..

“Do unto others as you would have others do unto you”
[ The Golden Rule is part of "The Secret" ]

The film on this post does not include those words but yet “We are all connected” through the teachings of the higher power, and the law of the universe, that the higher power set into motion one day..

May your life be the best life you can possibly live..

Visit This Link to see “The Secret” DVD page on Amazon.com..

Blessings and Peace
Jerry

Tags:

Update – I am going to my home colony for a visit

March 3, 2007 · Filed Under Hutterites · 29 Comments 

Hello friends.

I will be traveling this weekend to the colony where I grew up in, and then ultimately left from and I will see if I can make a video with some of my family members..of course you have to understand that the adult members cannot show their faces due to them possibly getting into trouble with the Colony..and I respect that..so I will have to figure out how to get around that.. After all I did figure out how to leave so I think I will probably figure that out as well… lol.. :)

I love visiting the family as there is nothing more precious to me than my nieces and nephews. I love them dearly and they are so excited when Uncle Jerry comes home and plays on the computer and his Verizon LG cell phone…

< that is one of angels to the left..

I thank everyone for their patience as this Blog evolves and I will be adding a lot more info in the future as well as answer your questions..Including those I received privately in my YouTube message system..

I wish you all the best..
Jerry

Tags:

Next Page »

HutteriteBlog.com

↑ Grab this Headline Animator