Interesting topic. I have noted that a lot of people who eat grocery store meat think hunting is cruel. I've never understood that attitude. I understand vegans thinking hunting is cruel, but not meat eaters. So, it would seem to me that the most sustainable thing for a meat eater to do would be to learn to hunt.

I find it it really interesting that the first issue brought up while referring to an "intentional eco community" is diet. There are plenty of communities that do not describe themselves as ecovillages who are vegetarian, and there are plenty of communities that describe themselves as ecovillages who have some form of meat eating involved. Food ethics are often hot topics at communities focused on sustainability (as well they should be) but so are many other things--i.e. from where, in what way, and how much energy to procure.

I suspect that your friend is having needs come up around his diet and that addressing those specifically rather than applying them generally to all "eco communities" might be a way to go.

On a side note: I'm not sure what he means by "everyone must be equal." And on another note, any time one uses the word "must", I wonder if there's some "rule" or dogma behind it. (Speaking of "dozens of rules")

eriol

I've seen eco-Nazis, and energy-Nazis in IC's (The latter like to turn lights off, leaving you in the dark. Or, they'll turn the fan off in the outhouse in the hot summer!). But, don't be discouraged. Visit a lot.

Even more problematic, in my opinion, are femiNazis. And, the damage they do comes from gossip and spin. A male visitor or member can get a damaged reputation, all because an insecure woman convinces herself and her clique you are a sexist pig and predator. When actually, they think most men are, and jump at any opportunity to accuse one of such. Flirting. Glancing at them when they walk around buck naked. Etc. Silliest stuff I ever witnessed.

That's some pretty broad generalizations!

In the community I'm a part of, we're mostly meat-eaters who don't want to eat slave meat and slave dairy from the stores and want to see it localized and done morally. And we haven't made a single rule yet, not one! There are communities like ours growing out of Rainbow that are trying to maintain our rather more anarchist ideals and the consensus council process.

And we're forming mostly because we never could find a community that was open and free enough for us, so here we are starting one.

Love and Light,
Joshua