Like many minority and religious groups, the Canadian Doukhobors suffer from conflict created by disengagement between their younger generation and their elders. In the small community in the West Kootenay area of British Columbia, the Doukhobors of Krestova, who are known for their zealousness in their faith, are not immune to this intergenerational conflict and disconnection. This may be seen as a divided path; one path of Devotion (the older generation) and the other path of Knowledge (the younger generation). There are many issues at play in this situation. This study is an attempt to explore the varied influences affecting the relationship between the older and the younger generation of Krestova Doukhobors. My many years of personal experience in being part of the Krestova Doukhobors affords insights unavailable to others. The collection of personal interviews and narratives about issues of significance affecting the Krestova Doukhobor community and an analysis of results are utilized to generate a multi-faceted look at a complex issue. Beyond this study, as the Krestova Doukhobors have indicated through the interviews, if the larger community feel these issues need to be discussed at community meetings, then community meetings will be called, the issues discussed and means sought to create a way for the Krestova Doukhobors and their younger generation to build bridges of reconnection and healing in the Krestova community.;Anything that sheds light on this divided path of knowledge and devotion, this cross generational gap in the Krestova Doukhobors, and which leads towards, if not resolution, at least a mitigation of the disconnection in the Krestova Doukhobors, night also find parallels or application to other groups or peoples experiencing similar issues. That is the intent and the hope of this study.
展开▼
