A commune, from the Latin word Communia, meaning a large gathering of people sharing a common life is an intentional community of people living together, sharing common interests, property, possessions, resources, and, in some communes, work, income and assets.
Probably the most defining difference between a monastery and a religious commune is that communes allow for both sexes and children. Monasteries’ were single sex and, at least in theory, celibate. Religious communes were not.
In addition to the communal economy, consensus decision-making, non-hierarchical structures and ecological living have become important core principles for many communes. Whereas monasteries have a hierarchal church structure of authority
The functions and purposes of communes where essentially no different from farming communities and villages of times past.
Some of the earliest examples of religious communes date back to 16th century with the founding of such groups as the Hutterites founded by Jakob Hutter in 1536 who, like the Amish and Mennonites, trace their roots to the Radical Reformation of the 16th century.
Many of these have survived into the modern age with branch communities all over the world.
While these religious communes centered on agrarian production, most entered business and manufacturing as well.
The Shakers, a religious sect, maintained one of the longest and most successful experiments in communal living in the United States. It was founded by Mother Ann Lee in Manchester, England. She and a group of followers settled in Watervliet, New York in 1776. By the mid-19th century, the sect grew to over 6,000 members living in 18 major communities, as well as 6 shorter lived ones. Although their numbers began a steady decline after the Civil War, one Shaker community remains active today in Sabbath Day Lake, Maine.
Shaker communities ran farms using the latest scientific methods in agriculture. They raised most of their own food, so farming, and preserving the produce required to feed them through the winter, had to be priorities. It was reported that their livestock were fat and healthy, and their barns were commended for convenience and efficiency.
Shakers also ran a variety of businesses to support their communities. Many Shaker villages had their own tanneries, sold baskets, brushes, bonnets, brooms, fancy goods, and homespun fabric that were known for their high quality. They were also famous for their medicinal herbs, garden seeds from the Shaker Seed Company, applesauce, and knitted garments.
Another such example was The Oneida Community, a commune that lasted from 1848 to 1881 in Oneida, New York. In addition to farming, the community began the manufacturing of silverware in 1877. Secondary industries included the manufacture of leather travel bags, the weaving of palm frond hats, the construction of rustic garden furniture, and game traps.
The Oneida Community dissolved in 1881, though several members incorporated to continue running the silverware business which exists today as Oneida Limited.
Key lessons learned from the religious/spiritual communes are that food self-sufficiency, combined with running manufacturing workshops and small businesses, provided them with economic independence.
In addition, none of the communes became
militant like some of the monastic orders, and yet managed to survive through
the American Civil War, though many were raided by passing armies and bandits.
This is no doubt partly due to these groups all being devoted pacifists.
Finally, the early American communes were
anti-slavery and did much to buy and free slaves and assist in their escape via
the Underground Railroad. Many also took in orphans and transients, and women
were universally treated as equals and many played key roles in the women’s’
emancipation movements.