Twelve Tribes, a religious group that lives communally and has been accused of being a cult, has established a small presence in Ithaca, holding twice-weekly "rap sessions" in the former home of Golden Rice at 308 East Seneca Street. In the future, members say they plan to start a business and perhaps a community here. But they emphasize that they want to be part of Ithaca and that they did not come here to proselytize.
The group met with heavy criticism this spring following articles in the April 8 New York Post that accused members of its Coxsackie community of child abuse, child labor violations, racism and homophobia. In March, Estee Lauder stopped selling the group's products, and Sundance followed just before the Post report appeared.
"I think people need to judge us for our character and come and see for themselves what we really are," said Michael Porterfield, who runs the rap sessions. "I think that they won't see the evil mysterious religious group that they read about in some of these tabloids. I think they'll find good caring people who have lot to offer a town like this."
Porterfield said that Twelve Tribes communities benefit nearby areas. "People who have lived with us for years will say that we are a positive asset to the community. We restore buildings. We bring commerce to the downtown areas," he said. The group's Web site lists 29 communities, four of which are in New York state. Members typically work in cottage industries, often with their children at their sides in what they call an apprenticeship program.
The group hopes to become better known in Ithaca, Porterfield said. Currently, only a few members live here and there is no official community. Only three non-members attended the rap session this past Thursday, although Porterfield said the numbers vary, and two or three non-members attend regularly.
The sessions, Porterfield says, are not an attempt to convince people to think the way they do. "It's really just the opposite. A rap session is a time where people can get together and exchange different issues and listen to each other," he said.
Al Jayne, who's name is on the building's deed, is a member of the Twelve Tribes community in the Buffalo area. "We want to put something in there - a small cafe, or maybe a coffeehouse, or maybe a mixed use of a line of clothing and shoes," he said. A business may be open by next summer, Jayne said.