History

Re: Anabaptists

Twirlcan — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 08:10:54 GMT

The core of Anabaptist belief is in either re-baptism or baptism as an adult when a choice can be made.

But the bad-ass Anabaptists were the followers of Thomas Munzer who was the leader of the Peasant War in Germany, which was supposed to have divine blessing of his "communist" teachings. Munzer believed all property belonged to everyone and especially his band of looting peasants.

My favorite Anabaptist sect (and by favorite I mean crazy) was the Munsterites. They were followers of Jan Matthys who declared Munster Germany to be the "New Jeruselem" (after they had taken control of it and sacked it).

Munster! That audacity is impressive but I am glad I lived next to the Amish rather than the Munsterites.

Munster had everything that the Yankee "End of Times" religious movements were saying years later but done with alot more gore. They had a King who declared polygamy legal, they had communal organisations like "Shakers" but with beheading and looting instead of well crafted furniture. They even produced an Osama Bin Laden type guy named Jan Van Batenburg who believed not in communal property but in no property...since it all belonged to god anyway so they sought to destroy it and the "infidels" (Lutherans, Catholics, and "soft" anabaptists) that owned it.

I love bringing up the Anabaptists of the 1500s to anti-muslim bigots who assume that Al Queda and religious terrorism are a product of only islam. I was a witness to 9/11 and I would take that anyday over Munster.

What is refreshing is the intellectual heritage of such violent killers is shared by such decent and honest people such as the Amish, Mennonite and Bretheran.

Re: Anabaptists

Morty — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 06:48:27 GMT

The group of religious sects included in the category of "Anabaptist" is diverse and, especially in the early years of the movement, some are quite different from the Amish and Mennonites theologically and in practices (though, as far as I'm aware, they all claimed to believe in pacifism). They were among the "radical reformists" during the Reformation and often persecuted, however, they had significant followings and often struck back. A major point in their core theology is that civil government need not be obeyed, so they obviously ran into troubles with the State. However, it is unlikely that Anabaptists engaged in "war" - unless rebellion and rioting is to be considered war. They never, to my knowledge, were in control of any government, so a war could not possibly be waged by them.

Anabaptists

ryanpatgray — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 03:06:09 GMT

When I think of Anabaptists I think of the Amish and the Mennonites because in three of the four states I have lived in these were the largest groups that called themselves Anabaptists. My impression has always been of these people that they were anachronistic but hardworking and peaceful people. I have traded with Anabaptists and have always been treated well and fairly in these transactions. Every Amish or Mennonite person I have met personally is someone I can say not a single negative word about. From my experience they are, as far as I can tell as an outsider, fine upstanding people. However, from the historical accounts I have read and heard about via this site, it appears, that this was not always the case. Does anyone know the turning point in Anabaptist history? Was there a "revelation" that changed their ways in a more positive direction? Both the Amish and Mennonites are pacifists yet I have heard accounts of Anabaptists waging war! What happened? Rest assured, you do not need to fear that Amish people will be waging war on your local community.