Talk:Renaissance Community

Copyright problem removed

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Stubified

Hi Folks!!, I've stubified the article. The whole thing has been completly unsourced as far as I see since it was created and that is not ideal in a mainspace article. As a historical article it would be great if there was sources. Perhaps if somebody writes a book on the commune. That would be cool. However, unsourced content cannot remain in a mainspace article, even in a purely historical article So I've stubbed it. Lastly, less of the WP:NPA or personal vendettas. If see any more of that I'll take the editor(s) up to WP:ANI immediately. Wikipedia is not place for vendettas. scope_creep^Talk 09:28, 13 November 2023 (UTC)

I agree. Since I, the author, have been on the receiving end of this vendetta, I want them to stop as well - immediately. As far as sources, what would satisfy that requirement? Dbrown1793 (talk) 00:25, 16 November 2023 (UTC)

I would like to unstub the article as it doesn’t work the way it was done. If you need it shortened, I’m happy to comply. I will give you source materials tomorrow. Dbrown1793 (talk) 00:35, 16 November 2023 (UTC)

Michael Metelica

There seems to be enough coverage for an article on Michael Metelica. There seems to be quite a lot on his in gbooks. scope_creep^Talk 09:38, 13 November 2023 (UTC)

Personally, I have no interest in writing about him. The history of the Renaissance Community is more important and relevant. Dbrown1793 (talk) 00:32, 16 November 2023 (UTC)

Article should mention that the leader's dominance, bullying and harsh punishment kept members in fear

This fear was reinforced toward the end of his tyranny by his connection with a notorious and violent biker gang. He had a pitbull and weapons. It wasn't until his heroin overdose and hospitalization that remaining members were able to get rid of him, finally. Mikalson (talk) 18:57, 2 January 2024 (UTC)

 Not done You must provide verification from a reliable source. It is not enough to provide original research or an opinion. Peaceray (talk) 01:43, 3 January 2024 (UTC)

This article should mention how the sexual predatory behavior by the leader encouraged and emboldened some members to follow their leader.

Visitors and perspective members seeking spiritual enlightenment were often preyed upon by members who abused their power. Mikalson (talk) 19:29, 2 January 2024 (UTC)

 Not done You must provide verification from a reliable source. It is not enough to provide original research or an opinion. Peaceray (talk) 01:44, 3 January 2024 (UTC)

Child abuse

This article would be better and more factual if it mentioned that former children of the commune picketed the release of the commune documentary because of the abuse they suffered. The film was made by a former member. Mikalson (talk) 01:35, 10 January 2024 (UTC)

@Mikalson: ω Awaiting verification from a reliable source. Please provide a citation if you have one. We cannot just put something in based on hearsay. Peaceray (talk) 07:13, 10 January 2024 (UTC)

I understand. I mention facts that are known by the author but he carefully avoids. Mikalson (talk) 08:34, 10 January 2024 (UTC)

Actually, this is NOT a known fact to the author (myself) and seeing that Mikalson has made many past unsubstantiated if not blatantly untruthful accusations on this site, I'm gratified that Wikipedia is finally questioning her posts for lack of factual evidence. Wikipedia is not the National Enquirer and they demand facts instead of hearsay. Mikalson was a former member so I would request that her posts be continually questioned for their veracity. Dbrown1793 (talk) 20:07, 12 January 2024 (UTC)

"More Than Friends. Women's stories from Brotherhood of the Spirit "

This book was reviewed in the Greenfield recorder (Greenfield, Ma.) and I quote: "Some of the stories describe abuse of women, and even some children, by the commune men". Mikalson (talk) 03:26, 13 January 2024 (UTC)

I believe the bibliographic information & whole title is as follows:

• Smith, Patti (2020). More Than Friends: Shaped by Flower Power: Women's Stories from Brotherhood of Spirit. Gill, MA: Light Publishing, Inc. ISBN 978-0-578-69943-1. OCLC 1257306990.

I am unable to locate the book in a library or for sale. Do you know who has distributed this book? Peaceray (talk) 04:39, 14 January 2024 (UTC)

Butler Books PO Box 7312. Louisville, KY 49257 Mikalson (talk) 17:40, 14 January 2024 (UTC)

Sorry, That's PO box 7311

And the zip is 40257 Mikalson (talk) 17:43, 14 January 2024 (UTC)

The page at Butler Books:

• "More Than Friends: Shaped by Flower Power: Women's Stories from Brotherhood of the Spirit". Butler Books.

Peaceray (talk) 19:52, 15 January 2024 (UTC)

Thank you. Mikalson (talk) 23:04, 15 January 2024 (UTC)

Victims have posted accounts of abuse on a private commune site that the author has been a part of.

I respect their desire for privacy and perhaps they will one day make their stories public. That's up to them and what they feel is best for their healing. Mikalson (talk) 03:40, 13 January 2024 (UTC)

For them, it is best that they take care of themselves. For Wikipedia, we need verification from reliable sources. Please see the Wikipedia:Hearsay essay. Peaceray (talk) 04:42, 14 January 2024 (UTC)

Author here. No, they have not as I not only watch the site continuously but have posted entreaties for the members of this community to hold a group meeting to deal with these allegations so we can find the truth with those who were allegedly victimized. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Dbrown1793 (talk • contribs) 14:31, 16 January 2024 (UTC)

Book written about The Brotherhood of the Spirit

Communal organization and social transition: a case study from the counterculture of the sixties and seventies; Barry Laffan

Laffan, Barry

c1997 Mikalson (talk) 19:18, 5 June 2024 (UTC)

ISBN:9780820411934

ISBN-10:0820411930

Publisher: Peter Lang Inc. International Academic Publi

Mikalson (talk) 19:39, 5 June 2024 (UTC)

Here is a formatted citation:

• Laffan, Barry (1997). Communal organization and social transition : a case study from the counterculture of the sixties and seventies. New York: P. Lang. ISBN 978-0-8204-1193-4. OCLC 647092340 – via Internet Archive.

However, I could not find anything when I searched on Brotherhood or Renaissance, I could not find anything relevant. @Mikalson:, do you have page numbers? Peaceray (talk) 20:03, 5 June 2024 (UTC)

I found the book on sale by searching the title and there are several summaries. The Brotherhood of the Spirit is not mentioned but I recall reading this book years ago and it is mentioned in the book. The author lived in a nearby commune and spent much time at the Brotherhood interviewing and observing. It was written for his Phd. It is far from flattering but perhaps accurate. Mikalson (talk) 21:21, 5 June 2024 (UTC)

As I recall the entire book focuses on The Brotherhood of the Spirit. Mikalson (talk) 21:26, 5 June 2024 (UTC)

If it does not mention the Brotherhood of the Spirit or the Renaissance Community, I fail to see how it could be used as citations for this article. Is this one of those texts that changes all the names for privacy's sake? Peaceray (talk) 23:07, 5 June 2024 (UTC)

I am trying my best to find the book. I apologize if this is not the correct one. I will provide information when it is found.

As a member of the Brotherhood of the Spirit I remember this man studying us and bought the book later.

Perhaps the book I cited here came after his PhD thesis when he focused on our group.

I am interested in digging up information about us that were written by "outsiders" in order to preserve a less biased history. Mikalson (talk) 00:21, 6 June 2024 (UTC)

Michael Metelica interviewed toward end of life.

Minds Eye: A Liberal Arts Journal Spring 2006 "Troubled Prophet: The Life and Death of Michael Metelica" by Thomas Weston Fels

  North Adams State College-Periodicals, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts-Periodicals Mikalson (talk) 19:54, 5 June 2024 (UTC)

Here is the formatted citation for that:

• Fels, Thomas Weston (Spring 2006). "Troubled Prophet: The Life and Death of Michael Metelica". Mind's Eye: A Liberal Arts Journal. North Adams, MA, US: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts: 5–39. ISSN 1098-0512. OCLC 1047962228.

@Mikalson: It would be beneficial if you learned how to properly indent text. Please see Help:Wikitext#Indent text & WP:INDENT. Peaceray (talk) 20:16, 5 June 2024 (UTC)

Thanks....I will try to improve. Mikalson (talk) 21:22, 5 June 2024 (UTC)