Neo-monastics in North Carolina, de-growth and a theology of enough

Abstract

This article examines one intentional Christian community's attempts to live a life that eschews consumerism and material growth for a life focused on spiritual growth and collectivity. I articulate intentional Christian living, often referred to as neo-monasticism, with the de-growth movement. I do so to offer insight into the practice and pragmatics of de-growth's broadly understood call to revalue the ideals of life in an effort to reduce consumption. Neo-monasticism and de-growth have much in common including the critique of consumerism, individualism and increasing inequality. Both also promote relationships, locality, sharing, slowing down and quality of life over efficiency and incessant work. Drawing on four years of research with one residential Christian community, I suggest that the most challenging aspect of sharing a life together and slowing down is not simply consuming less or pooling resources but rethinking and living social values not driven by a consumerist-growth paradigm. While some de-growth advocates, such as Serge Latouche, promote ideals of harmony and oneness, in practice, living simply and sharing a life together is challenging and conflictual, even when religiously inspired. Key Words: De-growth, neo-monasticism, emerging church, millennial generation, Christianity, sharing economy RésuméCet article analyse une tentative d'une communauté chrétienne intentionnelle de vivre une vie qui rejette la consommation et la croissance matérielle, et qui préfère une vie concentrée sur la croissance spirituelle et la vie communautaire. Je précise que la vie chrétienne intentionnelle, souvent désignée « néo-monachisme », est liée au mouvement de décroissance. J'associe ces deux pour offrir une connaissance de la pratique et de la pragmatique au sens large de l'appel du mouvement de décroissance pour réévaluer nos idéaux de vie dans un effort de réduire la consommation. Le néo-monachisme et la décroissance ont beaucoup en commun, y compris la critique de la consommation, de l'individualisme et de l'accroissement des inégalités. Ces deux promeuvent les relations, la localité, le partage, le ralentissement, et la qualité de la vie au-dessus de l'efficacité et le travail incessant. En tirant des données acquises pendant quatre années de recherche dans une communauté chrétienne résidentielle, j'insinue que le défi le plus difficile de partager une vie communautaire et inciter le ralentissement ne s'agit pas de simplement consommer moins ou de mettre en commun des ressources, mais de réviser et vivre avec des valeurs sociales qui ne sont pas entraînées par un paradigme consumériste croissant. Alors que certains partisans de la décroissance, tels que Serge Latouche, promeuvent des idéaux d'harmonie et d'unité, en pratique, vivre dans la simplicité et dans le partage d'une vie commune devient difficile et conflictuelle, même si elle est inspirée par la religion. Mots-clés: Décroissance, néo-monachisme, église émergente, génération du millénaire, le christianisme, économie de partage ResumenEste ar...

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