Our Critics FAQ
Can people leave if they want to?
Of course. No one is compelled to stay who does not want
to stay. In fact, no one is compelled to join or give up
his possessions who does not want to. We are a social order
of volunteers. If someone loses his willingness to participate,
he is free to go. We do not pressure people to stay in a
life that they don't love.
Who is this Gene Spriggs?
Gene Spriggs is one of the founders of our Communities.
He is a former high school teacher from Chattanooga, Tennessee,
who desired to share his sincere beliefs with others who,
like himself, longed for a spiritual life corresponding
to the actual gospels. He did not have a plan to create
or form an international commonwealth of tribes, nor did
he foresee an organization of many clans in many locations
all sharing a common spirit, united in a common cause. But
as the reality of the Twelve Tribes emerged, he knew in
his heart that the God of Heaven wanted "a people for His
own possession" (1 Peter 2:9). In the Community we know
him as "Yoneq" (the Hebrew word for "sprig", pronounced
as "yow-nake").
If your life is so wonderful, why do the TV and newspapers
have such bad things to say about you?
Journalists are taught that they must present both sides
of every story, regardless of whether they personally believe
one side to be a lie. This is called objectivity, but it
is actually economics. Readers are drawn to conflict and
controversy, for it sells newspapers. False or exaggerated
charges are printed because false or exaggerated charges
were spoken. And, sadly enough, some people even make a
living out of circulating such charges.
So, why are these bad things spoken if they're not true?
When people live closely together as in a marriage or
family, sometimes they do not treat each other as they should.
Our Master apparently knew such things would happen among
his disciples, because He commanded them to repeatedly forgive
one another. It is a fact of human relationships, however,
that those who do not choose to forgive usually do not choose
to remain with those they bear grudges against. It is also
true that those who do not forgive find it hard to resist
speaking ill of the unforgiven ones. For this reason exaggerated
accounts of some of our failures to love and care have come
to the attention of the press.
If something you have read has raised genuine questions
about our safety, health, or sanity, you are welcome to
personally write or visit us and express your concerns.
We will be happy to hear you out and respond.
Do you believe the end of the world is at hand?
While we do believe that this world is coming to an end,
this belief does not lead us to isolate ourselves, to stockpile
weapons, or to consider suicide. Instead, it leads us to
demonstrate the life that will fill the earth in the next
age: a wholesome, peaceful, tribal life.
Do you stockpile weapons?
No, we don't even have hunting rifles or archery sets.
Our Master said in Matthew 26:52, "All those who take up
the sword shall perish by the sword." We have no need to
defend ourselves.
Do you break up families?
No. Selfishness breaks up families. That is why half the
marriages in this country end in divorce. We call people
to deny self and follow Yahshua as it says in Luke 9:23.
Families who obey His commands do not break up. But if one
family member desires to be devoted to Yahshua while the
other wants to live for himself, then selfishness will break
up that family. That is why our Master said, "Do not think
that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come
to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against
his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law
against her mother-in-law; and a man's enemies will be the
members of his household. He who loves father or mother
more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or
daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does
not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of
Me" (Matthew 10:34-38).
Aren't you teaching "another Gospel" calling people to
be saved by works?
We are saying that no one can be saved apart from obeying
the Son of God, as it says in John 3:36, "He who believes
in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the
Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
Do you share wives along with everything else?
No, we uphold the standard of a lifelong marriage covenant
between one man and one woman. Outside of the marriage covenant,
sexual relations are sin, and we do not approve of sin.
Do you practice mind control?
No, we practice self-control. We do not approve of manipulation.
And besides, it would be senseless to manipulate people
into believing something they don't want to believe, because
they would just quit believing it sooner or later. Instead,
we share our convictions in a straightforward manner. If
sharing our faith causes others to have faith, then they
will be controlled by the same love for our Master that
we are controlled by (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).
Do you put things in your drinks to alter people's mental
state?
No. We do drink herbal teas such as hibiscus, yerba maté,
and peppermint. Although such herbs may be considered stimulants,
we avoid mind-altering substances like alcoholic beverages.
Doesn't your leader teach members to lie to courts, police,
or other public officials?
No, we do not teach or encourage anyone to lie. This charge
is a serious distortion of our teachings and practices.
If a person wants to join you, does he have to give all
his things to the group?
If a person wants to join us in the Commonwealth of Israel,
then he wants to voluntarily share all that he has. Our
Master told a story once about a man who found a very valuable
pearl. He said that for joy the man sold all that he had
and bought that pearl. It is just so for everyone who believes
in Yahshua. They are thrilled to find a life worth living
and do not hesitate to freely give all that they have and
all that they are to meet any pressing need. If a person
feels only obligation or pressure about their money or property,
they shouldn't give it. Such giving is not from faith. We
believe that whatever is done apart from faith is sin (Romans
14:23).
If someone leaves your group, can he get his things back,
or be reimbursed?
Not usually. We do not encourage light or impulsive commitments.
If people convince us that they have the faith to forsake
all they possess, like the first believers in Jerusalem,
then their property will be put to use for the benefit of
the community. We believe such giving will bring no regret.
If later on someone realizes that he was not serious about
his commitment, he is free to leave with whatever property
he still has or we can locate for him. But if what was freely
given has been either used up or spent, then it is gone.
To the best of our means we will help such a person leave.
But as far as his days, months, or years of contribution
to our life, there is no getting them back. What he gave
in good faith, we used in good faith. It is similar to a
person leaving a church after years of attendance and contributions.
Such a person wouldn't even think of asking to have their
freely given tithes and offerings returned.
Do you believe that God speaks to everyone or just through
one leader?
God speaks to every human being through the conscience
about issues of right and wrong. Beyond this there is a
grave danger in any leader (or any individual) thinking
he hears from God on his own. Our Master said, "For where
two or three have gathered together in My name, there I
am in their midst" (Matthew 18:20). We have confidence that
our opinions are from God if we find confirmation in what
our brothers say. So you could say that God often speaks
to each of us in an audible voice - the voice of one of
our friends who love us.
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