The Mysterious Menites: An Inside Look at America's Hidden Community

TLDRDiscover the secret world of the Menites, an extreme Christian community that lives without high school, college, and the internet. They have a strict interpretation of the Bible and value self-sufficiency and family. Join me as I spend 24 hours with the Menites and learn about their unique way of life.

Key insights

🔍The Menites are an extreme Christian community that lives a self-sufficient and family-oriented lifestyle, rejecting high school, college, and the internet.

✝️Their beliefs are influenced by Menno Simons, a Catholic priest who promoted adult baptism and disagreed with other Protestant reformers.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Menites have large families and prioritize strong community bonds.

📵They shun technology, including smartphones, and value living a simple and modest lifestyle.

👨‍🌾Menites are skilled in farming and other trades, relying on their own resources for sustenance.

Q&A

Why do Menites reject high school and college?

—Menites believe that focusing on serving the Lord and living by the teachings of the Bible is more important than pursuing higher education.

Do Menites have internet access?

—No, Menites completely ban the internet as they believe it can lead to distractions, temptations, and exposure to harmful content.

How do Menites find a spouse?

—Menites practice courtship, where potential partners discuss their ideals and goals under the guidance of their families. This is followed by an engagement period and then marriage, which is meant to be permanent.

What are some challenges faced by Menites?

—Menites face challenges in maintaining their traditional way of life in a world heavily influenced by technology. They constantly strive to uphold their values and resist the temptations of modern society.

Can anyone join the Menite community?

—While anyone can learn about the Menite beliefs and way of life, joining the community typically requires a deep commitment to their principles and embracing their specific religious beliefs.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Introduction to the Menite community.

01:28Attending a Menite church service and witnessing their strict interpretation of the Bible.

07:39Touring the Menite school where education stops after 8th grade.

13:06Exploring the Menite lifestyle and family dynamics.

16:40Learning about the history and origins of the Menite community.

19:00Having a traditional Menite meal and experiencing their commitment to self-sufficiency.

22:14Witnessing Menite children learning the skills of farming and resourcefulness.

27:50Discussing the challenges and values of the Menite community.

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