Appalachian Trail Cult | Staying at the TWELVE TRIBES Hostel
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- Опубліковано 16 лют 2022
- The Twelve Tribes are an emerging spiritual nation made up of 12 self-governing tribes. Some would call them a cult though. During my Appalachian Trail thru hike in 2019 I ran into the cult who operates close to the 2,200 mile trail in both Harpers Ferry and Rutland Vermont. My interaction with them was odd but back then I didn’t know the darker history of the group. In this video I go over my experience of what happened when my tramily and I stayed with the group. We interacted with the twelve tribes at both trail days in Damascus VA and Rutland VT. Towards the end of the video I conclude with the information I learned in part one and my experience while staying with the twelve tribes.
TO WATCH PART ONE - • The Twelve Tribes & Th...
FAIR USE NOTICE:
Under Title 17 U.S.C section 106A-117 of the US Copyright Law the use of the copyrighted material in this video is constituted as ‘fair use’. Allowance is made available for purposes of research, education, criticism, commentary, teaching, and news reporting. Under the Copyright Law ‘fair use’ This video contains copyrighted video and pictures which are made available for educational purposes and is transformative in nature.
It is important to note that some of the commentary in this video is my opinion. Though most of information was compiled using reputable sources and experiences I do state my opinion on some aspects of the 12 tribes. It is important to not take my opinion for fact but do your own research and come to your own conclusions.
ALL INFORMATION WAS EXPERIENCED IN THE SUMMER OF 2019
Footage & Photos:
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The Common Sense Farm on UA-cam
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Man, these were tough to watch. I grew up in something similar, and the negatives FAR outweigh any positives. It has taken years to realize what happened, and undo the damage. So glad you did this!
Well the 12 tribes says it all , there are lots a nutters out there thanks for the warning.
@@alisonhilll4317Iguess you can call this fishing
Our ancestors left us a story called “The Gingerbread House” in order to warn us about people like this.
Yep
I act found a abandoned ginger bread house i the 1970s in the woods of north west NJ
This story is to keep children out of the woods
They’re (being almost any cult) initial extreme kindness is called love bombing, and that story is a great analogy
You mean “Hansel and Gretel”?
I'm 68 so I've seen this kind of "community" decades ago. I think your video will help some people. Cults are something to run from! 👍😎🇨🇦💜
My mother ( dead now) was a Baghwan Shree Rajneesh cult member. But it was the consequence of her growing progressively nuts, not the cause.
@@lioneldemun6033 rajneesh were nuts
@@Arthurian. New Age people quite inoffensive ( save maybe that controversial character Sheila)
@@lioneldemun6033 completely batsh#t. Used homeless people to affect the politics of the area. The leader was pure evil, having the single largest rolls Royce collection on earth.
I'm a loner but not willing to commit myself wholely to anyone or anything. Which is why I'm a loner. I'm also very suspicious of people who try to be my best friend right away.
I'm a Christian but instead of going to church I choose to read my Bible in solitude. I think this makes me less likely to fall for a straight up cult, but I definitely understand why some people do.
I am 100 percent agree
Well first off, they are not trying to be your best friend, they are showing you kindness and even love, yeah that is weird to most people which seems more like a problem to me then actually being nice to someone. Second, if you do read the Bible then you should try re-reading the gospel. That's the new testament. If you read what Jesus instructs his deciples (followers) NOT to do is to worship in solitude. But instead to be together, in fellowship, and to love one another, and not have a need amongst you and to keep the sabbath. And much more. This is exactly what they are doing. Anyone that calls themselves a Christian or claims to go to church should have the highest respect for the twelve tribes. They live each and every day according to the scripture. And a final point, They are also trying to be welcoming in the hope that you will also join the community because that too is part of their beliefs because that is what is in the Bible! The problem is not the wonderful individuals of the twelve tribes communities, the problem is all you pathetic sinners puking your ignorance on UA-cam.
People are naturally self-centered. If you notice someone giving you a lot of attention and "kindness," you know they have an angle. It's just like wealthy "philanthropists"...yeah, they all mostly have a self-serving angle. I'm a life-long loner too...and you can't trust formal, organized religion or movements. They all get co-opted and become cults centered on people and politics...rather than what their original expressed aims were.
I am with ya on that. Im very introverted and follow Christ teachings, but I don't attend any churches. I also do a lot of research on church history as well as some of the Lost books of the Bible, like Enoch. Going into a church building never made me feel any closer to God.
@@skylarsartnphotography3450 Just make sure you pray to Jesus for salvation of your soul. Simply reading the Bible and following his teachings isn't enough to get to heaven.
I live near their Hillsboro farm. Harpers ferry area. Go to their deli often. Became close with a family of 5 who worked the deli for 2 years. One day they were there, The next day they were gone. When i asked where they were, the other members said they were needed at our other community ,thats all. Never heard from them again and we had each others numbers. Sat down and chatted with each other twice a week for 2 years then gone in the night. Literally.
Dang. Was the phone disconnected or they just never answered/called again?
Great question
People move all the time. Chatting at a store isn't a relationship.
So youre either a member or an apologist. Got it
Lived with the Tribes for 2 years before walking away. I'm glad to see videos being created to expose the truth.. unfortunately the rabbit hole of this group is unbelievably deep
What made you walk away? What lured you in? Was it a fmle member of the Tribes?
@@the_gilded_age_phoenix8717no it had nothing to do with a female member. I did get very close to things and people way to quickly and definitely started to get groomed...there's so many things these videos never cover...I wish I could share my story with someone looking to make a more deeper documentary
Four Common Techniques Used by Cults:
1) Identify stressed, emotionally vulnerable people who have tenuous or no family connections, or are living in adverse socioeconomic conditions
2) Love-bombing recruit with affection, flattery, and validation
3) Once recruit is enticed, cults then isolate the recruit, like on a weekend retreat, where the recruit is immersed in the cult’s ideology over the course of a few days with no outside contact
4) Maintaining control by iteratively subjecting the cult recruit to terror and love
And taking away their finances and often the cult is far away from society, unable to just simply walk away.
So essentially theyre predators.
You just described my former husband. So glad to be free.
Just like AA
Sounds like cults are just giving what society stopped giving. Seems good to me.
Nope, some others telling me I can't sleep in same bed or room as my spouse, HUGE red flag. They suck you in by being nice then begin slowly condition you, such as the clothes, then the rules until you're brain washed along with peer pressure.
I agree 100% Wooley689.
It's like the metaphor of the frog put into a pot of cold water, slowly warmed so it doesn't jump out before it's cooked.
Just like left wing media over the last 20 years.
Well said
It's obviously to keep people from fucking and making noise because there's a deli underneath.
Looks to me like a very good unbiased overview of your experience with this group. Nice work and thank you for putting all this together and sharing.
I’d rather pay for a place to stay than be told what to do and separate from my husband. That’s a big hell no!
We agree, but think of those nice fresh pojamas you'd get to wear! Hahaha!
@@peteshallcross787 "Will join for pajamas and an early curfew !" would be my T-shirt.
They feed you, then yousit around their fire, and then judge their way of life. Your experience was that they were “a little off”. Off according to whom? Nice.
Hmm. No black people. Don’t worry I will join
Yerba mate 🧉 my favorite!
Oh wait! One black girl with flute.
I can’t have kids but how they going to know?
Oh wait too black people 😮
“Count Dracula laugh”
@@diversitylove5460 Haahaha YES! I wanna be there when you put in applications for your whole family to join....PLEASE???? Looks like you'll all have a GREAT time and they're gonna LOVE IT!
Four reasons the trail is an excellent recruitment site: relatively high representation of:
Test one : you are deficient in resources (aka attracted to something free)
Test two open to strangers inquiring into their personal beliefs
Test three people in life transition or who do not even have an established path.
Test four people who self- separated from their family, friends or Co workers for an extended period and may be comfortable to being integrated into a new group
Test five a young person with limited life experience, possibly limited interpersonal defenses, and some degree of naivete.
Test six someone who is on some level rejecting of mainstream society.
Out of this group some proportion will be ready to be recruited.
Great comment and insight
You don't see many Handicapped people or elderly folk in the group ??
Disagree with one point. A true non-conformist cannot be recruited in a cult where they have to conform to be accepted. They can dress different and try to be "unique" but they do that because they are looking to be noticed and eventually accepted. Maybe they were scapegoated in their family and are still looking for that acceptance.
@j1017bi Im sure they were sent somewhere..i saw someone say they can send kids without parents..total hearsay..but plausible. I dont trust people much..really don't trust these guys lol
@@JakeKoenig so, is it safe to say you are an athiest ?
Very well done videos.
Also that’s the nicest I’ve ever been told to take a hike.
😂👍❤️🇨🇦
I know exactly what it is like to be in a cult. I was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints from age 9 to around age 22. I am glad that I got out of that cult.
I’m an exmo as well. The indoctrination through childhood was hard to shake. I’m proud to say my family was part of the original group, and today we don’t have one practicing member. We have even gone as far to have our names removed. If you haven’t done that yet, I would strongly recommend you do. The church likes to over inflate its numbers. They use these numbers in recruiting new members. Cheers to getting out!
@@the-salamander4truth Enjoy your hot beverages and caffeine. I remember interacting with the missionaries and joining "The Church" briefly. I rented a house in a lonely part of the Shenandoah Valley...and ended up forming kind of a friendship with a couple of missionaries around my same age. Soon, the church sent a girl to my house and she was coming around all of the time. I got baptized and went to the church a few times, but then got lazy. As soon as I missed a few church meetings...I never saw the girl or missionaries again.
Later, I moved to Miami. I had some difficulties, lost my condo and was reduced to living in my car for a few months. Well, another couple of missionaries found me living in my car. I talked to them whenever they came by and asked for some food. They said I needed to give them offerings and god would provide for me. Soon after, I stopped interacting with them. Moral of the story: they are nice and give you stuff for ulterior motives. In the end, I think LDS is a cult run like a business that benefits a few key elders.
Really good video- thanks for a great perspective and open minded thoughts.
It's ok to call out a cult if they match criteria of being a cult, such as:
1) no questioning the doctrine or dogma
2) control over one's personal life
3) dissent or disobedience is met with punishment, either physically or socially.
Taking away all their finances and not letting them seek necessary medical care, not even natural medicines. I feel these are even more important as that can kill them and even quickly.
So... either side of the modern political spectrum?
Soooo the modern political left?
Sounds like the criteria used to ban people online.
@@searchforthetruth1998
Maga cult of personality.
That was very interesting. The way you presented this group was very well I didn’t feel I was being lead one way or the other, but got a well rounded view. Thanks
I must have been very lucky to not have run across any persons from this cult on the mt Laguna portion of the PcT or any of that trail.
Compliments on a very fair presention. I had an encounter with them in Salem NY. The difference there was that the conversation went went almost immediately into belief systems. As a believer who came to Christ back in the day (shortly after a tour in Vietnam) I found the episode reasonably comfortable to process. Do note, though, that their doctrines do depart from the scriptures in some pretty important areas.
Once again, I appreciated your ability to keep to the facts while being reasonably kind.
I know nothing about The Twelve Tribes, im curious as to an example of why you said their doctrines depart from scripture!
I love videos like this! Thank you for sharing your research.
Thanks for watching 😊
Got here randomly and completely by accident (I don't even really hike). This was a very interesting video. I enjoyed it.
Very cool topic choice and very informative. Thanks for sharing your experience, Tara.
Thanks for watching!
Very informative , honest and fair summary of this group / cult.
I appreciate your respectful and informative treatment on this cult on Trail.
I was totally clueless. Thank you, Candy Momma❣️
...And you still are! All this information is judgmental and incorrect. The Twelve Tribes are a COMMUNITY not a cult. They don't have a leader, they are completely self governed and choose to live together as a community. Kind of like a really big family.
Good video. This and your other informational/research vids (part 1 and the JJ vid) are well-researched, presented, appropriately caveated whenever necessary. I think your recounts of events seem frank and open. These are fair, useful videos.
Much appreciated!
yo -thank you for telling us to take a deep breath at the end - lol - actually helped a lot! I've watched a few of your videos now and they are super informative. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. I've learned a lot and am grateful.
Of course! Thanks for watching!
I was very interested in this vid. I haven’t hiked in 10 years now, as I’m getting older. But I’ve never heard of this group, but find it very interesting. I myself feel that all Cults are bad and only serve those on the top layer of the group. I enjoy your research. One day maybe I’ll get back on the trail til then, enjoy, take care, and be safe. Peace
Worst cult: american gov.
I appreciate this video and the way you handled it.
Thank you!
Very informative, non-judgemental and well balanced video about the topic. Made me subscribe.
I have had personal experiences interacting with members of this cult, and I truly believe in my own opinion that this is a cult, through their presence in a small town in the area I grew up. They moved in to an area of rural North Carolina that used to be a major textile and furniture producing center that has suffered tremendously because of globalization and is economically destroyed. This makes the large purchases of property and easily recruited people possible there, which probably is part of their overall mode of operation. I feel that preying on people who are down is just one of the many horrible aspects of cults and that is what is happening behind the facade of the public presence that is shown to the “outside world”. Definitely be informed when interacting with any group that seems to be offering a solution for all problems, especially if their solution is for you to completely surrender to their rules. This also includes what most of us would call current society these days, which in my opinion is a very large and institutionalized cult-stay free!
Society itself is a cult. Whenever you put a group of humans together, they start exhibiting cult behavior. Leaders, social rules/expectations, virtue signalling, censorship/bullying if you say something against doctrine, etc. & etc.
I'm not a hiker but I've watched both of your videos on TT and want to congratulate you on your work! Fair, balanced, well organized and researched, articulate and informative. Having the benefit of seeing the videos I'm tempted to say there's red flag after red flag in so many of the ways TT operates but I understand why someone immersed in the experience may not see all of them. You've done a real service to your community by shedding light on this group.
Thank you for watching!
Not at all. The fact that you keep referring to them as a cult and not as a group, community or people shows just how much of an ignorant approach you took straight off.
I always love talking to multiple people of multiple religions and always getting their perspective on things, it's definitely fascinating...... it's intriguing on how small of a world we really live in but how large of a variety of different tastes that people have... hopefully one day through my hike I'll get up there to meet them
I remember seeing the Tribe from Vermont at Grateful Dead shows in the 80's. They performed circle dances, gave away free food, and helped with people who were "tripping" too much. They had an amazing bus they drove around in. At that time, I heard rumours of them being a cult, but they seemed harmless, and just added to the wild culture that was at the Dead shows.
I remember them at dead shows too. The yeshua bus. 🤣
Very interesting and informative. I am not a thru hiker, but was at Trail Days in 2019. I don't recall seeing their setup. You said some things that resonated, like every organization has internal issues. I think the cult atmosphere is attractive to certain individuals. Not excited about their exploration of children. Thanks for the video.
Thanks for the information Tara, I am very much into hiking and exploring new places and meeting all kinds of new people, and it's crazy how snake like some are, so it's good to have a heads up about who's out there. I am on the west coast, minutes from the Pacific trails so that is where I have done much of my hiking, and I have just had my second surgery on my spine which didn't go well so now I need another because I fell down after my last surgery and ended up breaking my back so as much as I love hiking I may not be able to do it again for a while. But again thanks for your information, stay safe and hike on.
Great series. I almost fell for the secrets of this cult. Thank you!!!
Thank you for watching!
This was a beautifully balanced video than you for your insightful kindness and reasonable critique
I’m fascinated with cults, have read about and watched many documentaries about them , never heard of this one til a month ago, great job exposing what they are about
It's great that you offer information so hikers aren't caught off guard or misled!!
Thank you mama Flipper 😊
I’ll take that! 🤗
Looks like nothing is free. I am glad they live their truth and you live yours. Thank you for sharing and being so respectful of other communities.
Very interesting. I lived with the 12 Tribes for over a month in Florida while on a hitchhiking trip with a friend. Your report was very accurate and made me laugh at times as I reminisced. The group in Florida was a kind of halfway house for delinquent members. The food was amazing, they genuinely seemed to care, buy in the end, definitely a cult. We were personally told by a leading member that the group came out of Campus for Christ ministries. After taking a year for intense study and a deeper search for truth, half the group became Eastern Orthodox under the Antiochian Diocese, while the other half started a proto-community which evolved into the 12 Tribes over time.
I'm in Florida.....where is the place located?
@@MeatPuppet1962 West Palm Beach
@@Buffenmeyer thanks.
My hiking partner and I stayed at the Yellow Deli Hostel in 2020. We had a very different experience. They did not try to talk to us about their beliefs at all. I think there were two reasons for this. One was our age. We were in our late 50s, and mid 60s. I’m sure we were too old for them. Secondly, it was COVID. The hostel was actually closed, but they would allow one hiking group to stay.
I'm 60 and I was WONDERING if they'd even bother trying to recruit an older member. If I were a cult, putting energy into accumulating more elderly members seems like NOT the wisest use of recruiting resources.
Yeah they like to target the young and emotionally vulnerable.
I remember them trying to recruit me in college when I was at a yellow deli, but they stopped when I informed them of my lack of religious beliefs.
You're too old and smart for them. They want the young impressionable kids, not old folks like us. We're too smart for those weirdos. Sorry, just calling it like it is.😊
@@jamierupert7563 I'd say it's a thing of wisdom and experience over intelligence, but you're definitely not wrong lol
@@jamierupert7563 🤣
Very informative Tara… I think I will do some vlogging on them when we pass through Rutland. I’m gonna do some more “digging” into them. Definitely not gonna spend the night, but will be visiting & see what “vibe” we get!
Thank you so much for sharing this! 🥾🥾⛺️❤️
I'll be watching for that one Whiskers :) Thanks for watching! How are you and Happy Hippy feeling? so close to starting!
Good choice Whiskers
@@taratreks We are very excited & ready to put boots on the ground!!! Thank you very much for following us!! It means a lot!!🥾🥾⛺️❤️
@@HikingWithWhiskers of course! Y’all are at the top of my watch list for the AT in 2022
Good video's, thank you for sharing! Particularly enjoyed part 1!
I've actually read/watched a few things on the 12 tribes before, first off I like true crime so a lot of times cult related stories kind of wedge right in that same little corner of literature somehow lol...
But also I live right off of the AT, today I'm about 45 minutes from the trail... and if you thru hiked the AT you've actually hiked through my Hometown in Northeastern TN... & we do have an (unrelated) Hostel so you might have even stayed 🙃... so Chattanoogas "quite a hike" (get it? Bad mom joke Lol)... but trail days in Damascus VA is nearbyish... ive been several times, it is a fun festival, live music and what not... but now ive never actually interacted with any members... as you say they seem to target hikers...
So anywho 12 tribes is just like a known thing in this area... but like a known thing no one seems to know much about lol...
This was super informative, I feel like I have a better understanding of the belief system and maybe why some of the more "problematic" things you hear are... things... lol...
Thanks again for sharing!!!
I lived with the twelve tribes for 6 months. I stayed at a farm in valley center, California. Really interesting experience. Aiesh ( not sure how to spell his name) was working at the yellow deli in vista, California there. He came out there because the tribe was looking to get him married. So funny to see this
I was a walker at one point and sent out to recruit people and hand out free papers walked the PCT
Very nice story based on solid research. Thank you!
I tag Frozen to do an AT story next. 😉
Perhaps something as scary as the lost town of Glastenbury. 💀
Thank you for your comment!
Nice part 2 on your experiences and opinions 👍
Thanks! 👍
Thank you for the openness and honesty.
Wait. So you knew they were a cult but still went through with your stay?
Great video, I had some encounters with them in Warsaw Mo.....they made a strong hold there for a while .at a known vacation spot ..this seems to pe a preditory plan. Also, I find it funny you say all that then say, but it's ok to sleep in their house and eat their food.
T.L.D.R. they are scary but recommend using them for free stuff....I'm just dying here.
Unfortunately, cults tend to treat outsiders with free food, lodging and other things. But, everyone has to remember that this is how cults suck people into their religion. You really are not getting anything for free. If they get one or two people to join out of a group, their job has been successfully done. Your videos and studies were very respectfully done but very informative. Great job. I will say that this trail out of the 3 has the most opportunity for these cults and people who pose threats to thru hikers. It’s beautiful country. But, you’re in a whole different world of Appalachia folks, most very kind and helpful. But, there are those out there who take advantage and are looking to harm. Be safe in your travels and keep the great videos coming.
The Twelve Tribes have a sailing ship called the Peacemaker that occasionally visits our port city of New London, Connecticut. They are pretty low-key during these port calls, and their ship which they open for tours is beautiful and inspiring. But having spent the first few of my years as a believer in what amounted to a cut-rate cult, I can say that very little surprises me about nearly any group's practices. One never really knows how a group operates from outside of it. I wish to stress that I have no personal negative experience with the Twelve Tribes, and I will give anyone the benefit of any doubt that exists, whether or not I share their beliefs. But some of the concerning aspects of their beliefs and practices which you highlighted in your previous video are entirely too familiar to me. While I am sadly not an AT hiker, it seems to me that y'all share a lot of common qualities that potentially (or actually) toxic faith groups regard as indicators of ripe targets - a desire to detach from the mundane aspects of a hyper-industrial/commercial society, a sense of community built on that desire, a love and respect for nature, and an openness to new experiences and ideas. Discernment will always be a critical skill when navigating the bewildering array of belief systems out there. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and research, and for your care to remain objective and truthful.
Child abuse ends a child's life, peace and endures life long struggles. I do not feel bad for people who get off on harming children and adults. We need and must use our voice against this occult or any occult. I am here, struggling every day after MASSIVE therapy I absolutely will not be silent when crimes are committed against children and women. If we know something is wrong we must speak up. Thank you for speaking up.
I did some work for 12 tribes (telephone work) in Boston. They had a spot in dorchester called common ground. One of them shadowed me the entire time I was there working and kept asking me strange questions, to the point where I had to tell him, flat out, I wasn't interested in joining his cult. I wouldn't say he was angry... but his demeanor went from oddly happy to oddly annoyed. I was never concerned about my safety, but I was ready for anything. I felt the need to get the hell out of there as quickly as possible. Soon after that, a story broke in the news about them being shut down and stories of abuse of women and children came out. Your characterization of there being something "off" about them is spot on! I encourage anyone to stay clear of this group.
My father and Gene Spriggs were friends and went to school together. He was in my parents wedding. When he started building his "family/cult" he tried to get my parents to join. Gene tried to get my mom to work for him at the Yellow Deli here in Chattanooga, Tn.
I’m from Monteagle TN which is only an hour away from Chattanooga.. I Google mapped “The Yellow Deli” just to check it out and noticed there are several of these places.. are they all owned by the same guy? Therefore all Yellow Deli’s tied to this Cult family? I’ve seen people mention Common Ground as another name of some of there locations. Does the one in Chattanooga offer a Hostel?
@@brianhobbs4212 I don't think it has a hostel. Chattanooga is the home of the very first Yellow Deli. The first one was on Brainerd Rd. and later moved to McCallie Ave. It is a very unique place! The food is great and the people are very nice!
@@cheryltraylor3498 Hi, Cheryl -I grew up in and currently live in Chattaboogie too. I was a teenager in the late seventies, and visited both locations - the Yellow Deli was the first one and the Aereopagus was the one on McCallie. I remember in those days that cults were thick on the ground - Krishnas in every airport, Moonies trying to sell you stuff on the street, not to mention the Protestant fundamentalist evangelism we grew up surrounded by. I found the Yellow Deli folks to be very friendly, open, and absolutely non-confrontational, a real and welcome relief from the rest of the fanatics trying to shove their own brands of salvation down your throat. The food was great, too!
@@kennelboy386 There's a myriad of videos on UA-cam alone documenting homophobia, misogyny, racism and child abuse at the Chattanooga locations alone. While the same can be said of many other religious organizations, not many of them force you to dissociate from your non-church member family, make you give everything you own to the church and require you to only work for them and for free. Those that do are easily identified as cults. No matter how good their food might be, I'll continue to not support their subjugation of the powerless and not patronize any of their businesses.
Thanks for your post, I’m sure some will think it is an overreaction to a harmless group of people. Those who do might want to find the story of Rashnesspuram of Central Oregon in the 1980’s and the effect that cult had on the Wasco County community. From my personal exposure to the Baghwans, I see a lot of parallels to your description of thr Twelve Tribes.
I am a strong supporter of our Constitutional right to practice our religious choice as we see fit, but am an even stronger believer in the limits of how we affect others with that choice. Thanks for all the work you put into researching this topic and developing your presentations.
Thank you for commenting! I have a very similar feeling as you. Strong believer in individual choice of religion but when highly manipulative practices come into play thats where I have some issues.
I'm sort of impressed that this group has 'an enterprise..' Livelihood is always a challenge... Family discipline, company policies.. 🙄.. Sorry to hear of any abuses.. I will try to let them know about 'Bahai'...There are some specifics that really concern them!! And if you're on a thru- hike - you can get a kind of 'reverse evangelism' going.. They might wonder - Good God!! Is everybody on the AT a Bahai?? 🤣🤣
@@shuff1111 there hasn't been mask and vaccine mandates since we found out it's all about control and not about a "virus" I don't know what rock you live under
The constitution should say “Your god/religion is your problem. Don’t make it anyone else’s.”
omgf - the Rajneeshis tried to kill people! Attempted murder, poisoning restaurants, prison time. Feed your head, man.
I grew up in a very conservative "church" and the things that outsiders can figure out is only a fraction of what actually happens. Since leaving I've talked with others and have been surprised to learn new things even though I spent 19 years there.
Thanks for making these videos. Even though they were really hard for me to watch I'm super happy that I did so that I can help others avoid some of the issues that I've dealt with since leaving my situation.
I hope in the future more people will find the strength to speak out about their experiences in the 12 Tribes. I've learned through my experience that by speaking out and helping others avoid the situation I was in I have found new strength and some of my wounds have begun to heal.
Thank you Lisa for your comment.
I just have a rule if you think someone is crazy at all get at least a kilometer away. i'll gladly hike 2 hours at night to the nearest water source to put up my hammock to get away from people I otherwise would not get sleep next to.
Masterful, balance report. So why can't those schooled for media and reporting perform with the utmost integrity as you have? Great job!!!
Because media is a manipulative cult rife with propaganda. Very little is unbiased factual reporting.
I haven't watched yet, but I'm very excited 👏 edit: thank you for this thorough research. We might eat at the Yellow Deli in 2023, but I am not game for those types of rules and requirements. I can't tell you why but the requirements to change clothes and have a bed time bothers me. I was born very independent and I don't think they'd appreciate my personal vibe. As a 40 year old woman, turning 41 on trail, the very last things I am are lost, vulnerable, or trying to find my place in this world. At least one meal or 2 if we go to trail days won't provide enough profit for their exploitation of those whom they perceive to be vulnerable.
Thank you for watching! Are you attempting a thru hike in 2023? The Yellow Deli makes great food but you are right. The rules don't sit well with me either.
@@taratreks I'm definitely attempting a hike in 2023. I'm so excited 😁
Hostels have quiet times when the lights are off in the shared rooms and people usually follow that as bed time. Staying with anyone I don’t find it odd they wouldn’t want rando’s wandering around their home and keeping them up after being hospitable enough to give you shelter and food. Changing the clothes is kinda weird but some people really don’t want chemicals like laundry scents, perfume/cologne/bug spray/scented deodorants smashed into their sheets or out and about in their natural homes. Separation of men and women-super creepy yet I can see why they works there want people having sex and alerting others to having to hear it. And I wouldn’t know what the sleeping arrangements were but having total strangers stay with them when the theres kids there really is of concern and separating women and men and having them stay in a bunked room with others of the same gender surely saved some kids from sexual abuse. There’s some serious weirdos out there. As long as the guests were ok, I gotta say I get that safety point.
Very balanced reporting, learned alot.
Awesome video good things to know
Thank you for a very interesting video. 👍
Religion is so scary ❤️Great video,enjoyed this and will be watching the first one now!
Good video , fair and balanced overall . Although we may not agree with a person or group's beliefs acknowledging their humanity is certainly a worthwhile endeavor and always a nuanced affair.
We ran across the 12 Tribes during our thru-hike across the state of Michigan on the Great Lake to Lake Trail. We had a very similar experience. Great yerba mate and the granola bars were amazing! We had no idea it was a cult initially, but within our first 5 minutes, it got really weird and uncomfortable. As we left, we googled the organization. Yep, it's a cult with some amazing delicatessens.
This was incredibly well written. It would have been easy to destroy them and you were fair balanced. I personally think people should stay away from them. You nailed it. Cults prey on people that are alone or sad and searching. They catch people when they are most vulnerable. That in itself makes them bad in my opinion.
Thank you for watching and your comment! 😊
They are not a cult. It's called a community. Strange concept to all the socialites of today.
You’re very wise.. great reporting…. Thanks 😊
Wow! I could write a book on my close encounters of the 12 Tribes Kind. I met the 12 tribes on River Street in Savannah, GA they were selling apple juice. Back then I was a traveling musician. I traveled all over country playing my guitar wherever I could. My full title is musician, sound engineer and producer. I was in Savannah Georgia for St Patrick's Day to share music with everyone. I'll have to try and make this as short as I can by saying in a nutshell they are a cult. One of the things you'll notice about the 12 tribes is there's not a whole lot of people of color any color in the 12 tribes. I think I saw one little black kid when I was there, But that was about it. They're even a little weird when it comes to science and technology. I noticed when they were having the kids sell the fresh apple juice and you couldn't hear the kids. I gave them a gift for giving me the apple juice, which they didn't charge me for. They even invited me over to the house to eat with them, which I did. The gift I mentioned was and old school megaphone which I made for them so that the kids could be heard. It didn't use any power and it did work and they seem to be happy on the surface. But remember, I'm an outsider and they don't take kindly outsiders. They also seem to think that they are the actual 12 tribes from the Bible. No they are not! The food that you mentioned in your video is for the sinners, that's what the 12 tribes really believe. They think, they're the only ones getting into Heaven. We are all the sinners. They're going to be surprised to see Elvis in Heaven, from what I understand Elvis was a Christian too. I'm an old school Southern Baptist. I love Jesus Christ and trust Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior with all his heart. The 12 Tribes is a cult avoid them if you can. At the same time Pray for the 12 tribes, Because they are very misguided. This Cult has forgotten the very core and center of the Bible and Christianity. God's word says in "John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Scripture does not say for God so loved the 12 tribes only. 🤔
Amen, joining you in prayer for them 🙏
What a great chance to share the gospel with them
Absolutely fascinating, never heard of them before
Very interesting story. Freaky what's in the basement?! Reminds me of the show "The Path"
I appreciate the more informative presentation than merely hiker experiences. So many are positive and therefore misleading. Some influencers won’t even call them a cult, which is very obviously what they are according to the definition of a cult.
I recently watched a podcast where the two hikers were saying they wouldn’t call it a cult and had good experiences there. They encouraged doing one’s one research, which is great, but putting such a happy face on the twelve tribes made me very uncomfortable.
very interesting, never heard of this before. good presentation .be safe. ~ JDS/CT
Thanks for watching!
In 2005 a trail friend stayed in the hostel in Vermont and only had good things to say. After my hike at the ALDA gathering in Hanover I was approached by them. I was interested and asked what they were about. Afterwards the same two members were always around me being friendly. They honestly described what life in that community was like and I had to tell them repeatedly that I wasn’t interested. In the end I needed to be firm and asked to be left alone. What they described was that I would turn over all my property and savings and they would give me a job, feed me, etc. I don’t know why they thought I was a prospect.
They are very interested in people with equity..savings, home, vehicle....
older people also have to sign o'r control o' their social security etc
in addition, you have to get their permission to leave the tt property to visit anyone;
and, you need permission for people to visit you (includin' non-tt family from "the outside")
Heyy! It's Kellie the Uber Driver! Great channel! Can't wait to dive into these videos!! 😁
hi Kellie! thanks for watching :)
Twelve tribes tried to pick me up as a homeless young man in Asheville (21m, '11 or so), they had energy bars but decided not to take me home with them after a couple of questions I had. I probably would have fell for it a couple of years earlier when I was on the at facing monsoons! I hear free labor makes up a decent amount of their business revenue. Yellow delis are pretty rad and open 24/7 excluding holidays, though I'd resist the urge to be a patron; I'd have a 24h kickass deli too if I had free labour.
Haha so true. Unfortunately rent is nearly 1500 per month on average plus other living expenses. btw that's for a cramped apartment. So the ppl you claim "aren't getting paid" in fact are being valued more than you.
Anytime someone has to use high pressure tactics to get you to agree and join with them it's a major red flag .
we stopped at the Yellow Deli in Oneinda NY, we loved the food, I did ask the lady about all the men having long hair and beard, we had a nice conversation and she invited us to join them for dinner, we thanked her but declined, loved your video, very informative, good to know because I would most definitely eat again at their deli I will just pipe down on conversation.....
So out of curiosity I Google mapped “The Yellow Deli” to check it out and I was amazed to see that there’s a chain of these places.. I’m about an hour from Chattanooga TN and there’s one there also.. so my question is “The Yellow Deli” a corporate chain of restaurants or a more private community? I noticed they all have the same look and atmosphere which is really inviting. Also did that Hostel just happen to be above that Yellow Deli or do most Yellow Deli’s have a Hostel?
The Yellow Deli is one of the communities income streams. They have restaurants all over the world associated with a specific “chapter” I guess you could say. I think that Yellow Deli is one of a couple hostel/delis.
I moved to rutland 10yrs ago and my first time at the deli was very strange. I did spend a night at the hostel once because I lost my keys and didn't have a place to stay. The whole time I was there it was like a recruiting seminar.
There is a great show on Netflix that talks deep about the 12 tribes, using people that left the group as references
@Tenbu 22 like 10yrs ago haha. Must be a deli person with that random butthurt remark
Thank you for sharing. I hope a lot of hikers dont get swayed by these practices. May God Bless you for sharing. They can find purpose by knowing more about the Catholic Faith.
Very well done Tara❤️
Thank you :)
Do you look at a fisherman or hunter with duality because he puts bait on his hook or in his trap?
Good point, that got me thinking
Keep up the research on this.. something is off there. A major network should hire you!!!
That’s a huge compliment! Thank you
Hey Thanks great information
Thank you for watching!
Where do you go to join them and stay at there hostels or farms ?
Fantastic story Tara, haha "my lasagna is ready". Great upload.
Priorities!!
Very informative. I did not grow up in the Twelve Tribes but I can say that I spent the first 16 years of my life in a religious organization that very much resembles most of the Twelve Tribes beliefs that you mentioned. I grew up in the southern Texas branch of the Jehova Witnesses. They didn't allow sports, playing in band, dating outside of the religion, not allowed to celebrate any holidays not even your own birthday. Because of that and a bad experience with southern Baptist I have avoided all religions. I believe in God or higher power but only on my terms and my own way. Thank you for video. I live just 15 minutes from Harper's Ferry and had never heard try of the Twelve Tribes. I would gladly give through warm food, shower, and a comfy bed for a night.
I've run into some strange chracters and things on thru hikes and had an experience with a cult once.The cult I had the experience with used very charismatic people as recruiters.There was no way they could get me but strangely they got a friend of mine who was living at the time in asia.She came home as a member. Bizarre event.
thank you for commenting your experience
The Yellow Deli in Chattanooga is absolutely awesome. I love their Yerba Latte!
I've done only the northern part of the AT (really just the New England part), and have had many interactions with 12 tribes. They are nice enough, and usually polite to all. I've always tended to shy away from anything spiritual/religious and would shut them down when they would try to pull the whole recruitment thing.
They are weird as hell, and tend to just be awkward as all get out. I've learned to ignore them actively.
When I was living outside around Asheville I stopped at a 12 Tribes to rest for a few weeks. They were generous but the requirements involved to be there and little privacy taught me community is more restrictive and excessive than I want. You really are not independent there, you are required to follow not lead your own life
@Tenbu 22 poor brown baby! Lol 😂
Me and my 3 children went to live with one of their biggest communities in San Diego for about 6 weeks. As i did not choose to convert in the end, we still had an amazing time with them. I never saw any child abuse so I've never understood that accusation. The kids loved gardening, farm, milking goats, etc. That's normal for farm life with kids, not abusive. My kids loved all the people there. There was only one person that rubbed me the wrong way when we were leaving. She told one of my kids that i was taking them away from a good community and they could run away later and go back to them. I was like, seriously??? She said it right in front of me. Lol.... She was a crazy lady and most were not like that. Overall, there's many people there of different types. You'll always connect with some better than others. I got very close to some. But it is not for everyone. These people give up all things to go serve God how they think they're supposed to. If they are called a cult, then every group would be a cult, Buddhist monks, hari krishna, Mormons, on and on.... I think they only become a cult when you find yourself drinking Kool-Aid. 🤣
There's many religious groups out there that are a personal choice. Like anything. Follow your heart and spirit.
Kinda off topic but... what is that outro song? :D
A few years ago I spent a few hours on the ship the 12 tribes owns. It's a very nice ship. The women and kids said nothing and looked very unhappy. I kinda got the feeling they were begging for help. Anyway, it's a long detailed story so I won't go into it here. The two times I was at the deli and hostel were interesting. They knew I am a trail angel and asked if I would like to be a shuttle driver for them. I said no and that was the end of the discussion. Other than that there was no attempt at recruiting or trying to push their values on me.In sum I would say don't fear them but be aware and go there as a group. The food at the deli is excellent!
If you can ignore them you can get great free food is what I am hearing! I personally would sleep on the ground in a tarp tent.
They know who is a prospective member and who isn’t.
Thanks suga for familiarizing me with this group. I would love to pester them w/ religious Convo, & meet some members who grew up in this cult, if they're even allowed to talk to me. Lol
I'd imagine some are allowed and others not so much.. mostly children. From what I read they pick and choose who is the most suitable for the public
I grew up in Castleton, VT (20 min east of Rutland) I first came across 12 tribes at any music festival we'd go to (or Phish shows) After high school a good friend of mine parents moved onto the 12 tribes commune in NY. They gave up everything and stayed there for a solid 15 years. When they finally got out, they were quite relieved to have their lives back.
I shit on their bus at a phish show in the early 2000s. Seemed like alright people but gave off weird vibes. The bus is super cool though.
when ever we would see their bus pull into a phish lot we would hear people saying... "The evil hippies are here!!"
@@mck974yea, i originally felt that way, then the “lot kids” and their pharmies showed up. They were the real evil and helped turn a whole generation into junkies. Hell, they even almost killed their own god, Trey.
hi... from galax va... i subbed, cults are an issue here... thank you for bringing this to my attention
Are these folks affiliated with the 12 Tribes group in Ithaca? They also made me VERY uneasy and it was heartbreaking to catch a glimpse of the women and children, who carried themselves with a meekness and hollowness that unnerved me deeply.
Yep, same group.
It’s an international cult according to records and those who have left.
Thanks for the informative Vblog. I am a lone wolf. Maybe one of these days I will find like minds.
How is this group still around and participating in events...
Good on you for sharing this information!! Hope it saves some hikers from falling in with them.