What is the relationship between religious belief and practice, and community as depicted in The Hutterites in North America? And is community possible without religious belief, and vice-versa? Hutterite colonies or communities evolve around the belief that absolute authority resides in a single supernatural being, an omnipotent God, who created the universe and placed everything in a divine order and hierarchy. All events are ordered of God and nothing happens without the knowledge of God. Hutterites also believe that only through continual submission of the self to the will of God in communal living can the individual attain eternal life after death.
             Hutterites' religious belief is that they must live communally. Material goods and wealth have no meaning. Everything belongs to the community and everything is done for the good of the community. Hutterites are a selfless, not selfish, people. Their society is communal and modern in its technology and productive features, but adherence to religious authority prevents a distributive economy based on material wants. Food is consumed in a communal setting. Clothing and most needs of the individual are distributed. A communal corporation for the welfare of the colony and its people holds any profits made from outside commerce with the outside world. Patterns of reciprocity between individuals and families are made possible through monthly allowances to individuals from the colony. Because of these beliefs the relationship between religious belief and community is very strong.
             The Hutterites and their colonies are very structured. From early childhood through adulthood, there is a hierarchical structure primarily based on gender and age. God is Lord over man, man is over woman, and the elder over the younger. Man has power over animals. Man is ruler over material things, inventions and machines, and he may use them as long as the proper relationship and function are...