1. The Methernitha Christian Alliance

• Within the Christian Alliance you will find a circle of friends, founded in the early fifties of  century, the members of which live according to christian principles. They abstain voluntarily from alcohol, nicotine and drugs.
   
• They are not organised like a club; there are neither assemblies or meetings, nor demonstrations. They have  no "Guru" and there are no subscription fees; neither do they advertise, nor do they try to win someone over.
   
• The members of the circle of friends live at different  places in Switzerland or abroad. Contacting each other is absolutely voluntary. The village of Linden in Switzerland is only one of the possibilities where they can meet when and if desired. Some members of the circle of friends founded a cooperative at Linden.

2.  The Methernitha Cooperative

• Methernitha Cooperative was registered in 1960 with the Swiss Commercial Register as a legal entity.
   
• The organisation was laid down in Articles of Association. All regulations adhere to the Rules of the Swiss Federation.
   
• The Cooperative is a residential joint venture work group operated on a democratic basis. Administration staff are chosen from the members in a  general meeting.
   
• There are about 140 members in the Cooperative at the moment.
   
• The Cooperative is a social model, inspired by and based on the good old maxim of companionship and mutual help. Within this circle it follows the maxim: One for all - all for one!
   
• The objective of the Cooperative is to  work together for their livelihood.
   
• The Cooperative is interdenominational: Each member is free to exercise his own religion and beliefs. There are also members who belong to one of the Swiss churches.
   
• Members of Methernitha are bound to their own moral obligations in all actions and decisions.
   
• Anyone can become a member of the Cooperative who accepts ist rules and is willing to do his best in supporting the aims of the Cooperative. Members may give up their membership at any time.
   
• Each member furnishes her/his rooms according to own taste; everyone has a telephone and a TV-set. Methernithas own studios transmit  programmes at  regular intervals.
   
• A well-fitted central kitchen and several dining rooms are installed.
   
• Washing can be done in two common laundries. Seamstresses are on hand for necessary sewing, etc.
   
• In case of illness and the aches and pains of old age, medical and geriatrical care is available from officially-recognised personnel in a common nursing home.
   
• The proceeds from all work and operations benefits the Cooperative and the livelihood of its members. The Cooperative pays for social security contributiones and taxes. Instead of wages, payment in kind is made, plus pocket money. Beside this all personal expenses are paid by the Cooperative.
   
• The members’children are taught by officially recognised teachers who are also members of the Cooperative. The school is regularly controlled by a Governmental School Inspector. Pupils desiring further education may choose external schools or colleges.
   
• Leisure time is used individually. Workshops and rooms for handicrafts are placed at everyones disposal. Many of the members use their own cars; there are also several cars at common disposal. They are used for journeys and excursions too. The Cooperative owns a few holiday homes; peace and quiet can be found there and also at the internal Moos Park.
   
• The Cooperative is owner of a club house which may be used by all members and visitors. Gatherings and meetings are held there, but at the same time it serves as an archive for the history of the Methernitha Cooperative and the Methernitha Christian Alliance.
   
• The members of Methernitha are always aware of modern times; they are ready to meet the challenges of nowaday. Everybody tries to solve his own problems, but at the same time looks out for solutions on shared problems. All members are aware of their  responsibility within the social sphere and the balance of nature, and accordingly an exemplary heating-system, based upon the incineration of wood-waste, was installed. The Cooperative pays regular taxes; the members serve in the army, work for civil-defence organisations and are even members of the voluntary fire brigades. Political engagement is left up to the individual.
   
• The Cooperative understands itself as an extended family unit within the human society. The members are free citizens of the Federal State of Switzerland (Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft) and feel that they are bound to its liberal constitution.

Methernitha is something outstanding. The evolution of human society has always forged ahead via groups and individuals who ventured to live a life beyond everything considered to be the norm, groups and individuals who lived unlike the majority of mankind. To human society these groups and individuals appear to pose a threat. The human society resists these groups by pillorying them. Half-truth and untruth are used to describe them as a sect. This is not only discriminating, but also very seldom true.  Like all prejudices: no one seems to know the realty. The ignorance and the readiness to condemn are used by certain groups to their own advantage.

Vicar Donald Hasler, theological representative of the Reformed Protestant National Church of Bern-Jura delivered an expert’s opinion on behalf of Protestant Synod:

• "The Methernitha Christian Alliance cannot be regarded as a sect. The three caracteristic features are lacking: revelations apart from the Bible; totalitarianism; claim to exclusivness. Methernitha has almost no revelations apart from the Bible. At the moment there is no totalitarianism, which seemed to be there at the establishing period. They do not claim exclusivness, as for instance "Jehovas Witnesses" do. In other words: they accept any other church, different convictions and religions. Contrary to all other sects and sect-like associations there is no uniform doctrine."

RC priest Eduard Gerber, a knowledgeable observer of religious groups and sects, who knows Methernitha by own experience, writes about the a.m.certificate:

• "I myself find the statement (of D.Hasler) well balanced and justified . . . . "

A certificate of the local authorities of the village of Linden, signed by the Mayor and the Parish Secretary, says:

• "The Community of Methernitha makes no bad impressions at all within our rural commune; we have good relations. They work ad live within their community. Their products are of high quality and are partly globally well known. There are no fences or walls between Methernitha inhabitants and the village. The inhabitants - roughly 120 people, including children - have their own free opinion and philosophy and also have their personal freedom and freedom of action which they never try to impose on other people. On a positive note one has to take into account that their suuporters will be looked after in old age and, if necessary, be provided with medical care and social welfare until death."