Bootstrap wrote:Wayne in Maine wrote:
I found this quite fascinating, as it describes (from my own and from other ex-members observations) the characteristics of the former elder of the Bruderhof Communities. In a real sense it gives me some hope for reform of the organization if the cult-like characteristics were a result of the leader's personality disorder. Though I have long observed of the Bruderhof a "group neurosis" that reflects the neurosis of the top leader. It is as if the personality of the leader becomes the personality of the organization, making me wonder if the Bruderhof is incurably corrupted.
Which characteristics did you see in them? How did that play out?
I do believe all the traits listed are descriptive of their former elder, I am amazed to see how well this fit him. The particular traits that have rubbed off on the communities are their sense of importance (or at least the importance of their publications, events, activities an their leaders) in the world, their sense of entitlement – of being above the law even, their finely honed and even brutal lack of empathy (not only toward outsiders, but toward fellow members), and the use of others to achieve their ends.
It might actually come down to something entirely different, that is, the characteristics of the organization lead by a Narcissistic personality may not be Narcissistic, but bolster the leader inside the organization and to the world at large. Christoph Arnold wrote none of the books attributed to him (I know exactly who some of his ghost writers are) but the Bruderhof still lifts him up as a great author whose books won awards and were read in 20 languages by millions of people. He was not a great counselor, but an abusive bully in the way he handled those in his pastoral care. He destroyed many families and saved few.
With his recent death, many hurt people (expressed in private forums) are struggling with the reality they experienced that contrasts so sharply with how the Bruderhof and its admirers represent him.