Self-Sufficiency vs. Homesteading

[Diavolicchio]

I've also noticed that you never find diehard homesteaders who are athiests. Most seem to be strongly devout Christians. I'm guessing if you're choosing to live a lifestyle where you're constantly teetering on the edge of just staying afloat, with no one to rely upon but yourselves, that you sure as heck better place faith in a higher power, otherwise you'll go mad.

Thoughts?

 

[Ldychef2k]

Hmm. From what I read here, I think maybe you have a third lifestyle to add to your mix: The survivalist or the prepper.

I am a combination of self-reliant and prepper, if that matters. I have a home, a garden, alternative methods of cooking, a small cache of precious metals, water storage, and a means to defend it, if need be. I am working on making or buying a solar generator. I am doing some of this in order to live well with my vastly diminished (now by 80%) income, and am also motivated by the uncertainty of our future economy.

Anyway, I think your comment below might refer to survivalism/prepping.

I just think that when it gets to the point where someone's kids go without basic essentials because the parents are convinced they need to buy more ammo for the bomb shelter that it's gotten a bit out of hand. Yes indeed, there are many people who identify as homesteaders for whom this doesn't apply; I'm simply sharing my general overall impression.

Just my 2.

 

[Wifezilla]

i keep telling friends that doctors should stop prescribing anti-depressants and start prescribing chickens

Or quail! LOL

I've also noticed that you never find diehard homesteaders who are athiests. Most seem to be strongly devout Christians. I'm guessing if you're choosing to live a lifestyle where you're constantly teetering on the edge of just staying afloat, with no one to rely upon but yourselves, that you sure as heck better place faith in a higher power, otherwise you'll go mad.

Thoughts?

I am an atheist. Not sure how that plays in to things for me.

 

[Ldychef2k]

Are we sure that all of us have a "choice"? Well, maybe we do: Choosing to work to support ourselves rather than relying on public assistance. I qualify for all manner of aid, but refuse to live on what other people have earned. Yes, that takes faith. For me, faith has done FAR more than any social program!!!!!

And hoping not to go too far off topic, but I am figuring out that the motivations behind the lifestyle are quite diverse. Folks seem to be in the self-sufficient (or whatever they call it) lifestyle for a whole lot of reasons: Financial or employment circumstances, environmental concerns, health issues, religious beliefs, and so on. My personal motivation is fear, and beyond that I will not speak, as it is a politically charged motivation as well.

I'm guessing if you're choosing to live a lifestyle where you're constantly teetering on the edge of just staying afloat, with no one to rely upon but yourselves, that you sure as heck better place faith in a higher power, otherwise you'll go mad.

Thoughts?

 

[miss_thenorth]

I think this board is more of a home for people who are happy where they are in there homesteading/ SS life. We have many Christians here, some very devout, but also have pagans, panthiests, atheists, etc. We have people here who are more to the survivalist mentality, and some who are just frugal and trying to live on less.

We all share things in common though, such as food preservation, animal husbandry, frugalness, leaving a smaller footprint on this earth, renewable energy, and getting educated to new and exciting things we might want to try, either for hobbies, health, sustainablility etc.

I think we all have something to offer the next person, and we all can learn from each other. Just becasue one has a different view of things is no reason to get all judgemental, but instead it is a reason to discuss and learn. I know I have learned a great deal just 'talking with my friends' here.

 

[Diavolicchio]

I think this board is more of a home for people who are happy where they are in there homesteading/ SS life. We have many Christians here, some very devout, but also have pagans, panthiests, atheists, etc. We have people here who are more to the survivalist mentality, and some who are just frugal and trying to live on less.

We all share things in common though, such as food preservation, animal husbandry, frugalness, leaving a smaller footprint on this earth, renewable energy, and getting educated to new and exciting things we might want to try, either for hobbies, health, sustainablility etc.

I think we all have something to offer the next person, and we all can learn from each other. Just becasue one has a different view of things is no reason to get all judgemental, but instead it is a reason to discuss and learn. I know I have learned a great deal just 'talking with my friends' here.

Again, please don't get me wrong here. I'm not denying the fact that the majority of people have a faith in something. I'm simply acknowledging that from personal experience, I've never met a die hard homesteader who wasn't fiercely devout.

I enjoy this forum because the people within it seem to be pretty inclusive by nature; they acknowledge differences as simply an opportunity to see a different point of view. My brief period of time in the Homesteading forums left me feeling as if I had to become a clone in order to be accepted. There seemed to be a palpable fear of the unknown and intolerance toward opinions or people that differed from themselves. That, in my book, is not a good thing.

 

[miss_thenorth]

I just reread my post, since your response confused me (doesn't take much, lol)

Just becasue one has a different view of things is no reason to get all judgemental, but instead it is a reason to discuss and learn.

This was not directed at you. What I was trying to say is that, collectively, we would not get all judgemental simply because someone has a different view.

I have not been to other HS forums, but I would like to think that we are a unique bunch here. We all have a lot to offer and gain from this froum. and the diversity of our member make it a greater place.

 

[Farmfresh]

Like missthenorth said there are all types here on this forum.

Christians for sure, but also atheists, agnostics, Jewish, pagan etc.. This is probably the only place I have ever been where people seem to let people each have their own beliefs (or disbeliefs!) and still be friends. Yea US!

Some stock up for survival and some of us are just plain old CHEAP. Still, we all are willing to share how to make that cheese or grow that good old mater. Wish the rest of the world was as kind and considerate as most people here seem to be.

 

[valmom]

As for me, I am middle aged, allergic to bread, blind as a bat and very arthritic. I figure when TSHTF I will be sitting blind as a bat in some corner unable to move around. I will BE the crazy old cronie that folks go to to learn how to make some soap or clean a bird for supper. No sense in me buying up bullets when my hands will be too swollen to pull a trigger!

That's what I'm planning, too. I'm going to be the crone who knows HOW to make a warm blanket from sheep and how to weave baskets to carry stuff in, and how to tap and boil maple sap. I'm going to be valuable because of my knowledge.

 

[Farmfresh]

Long live the crone!