Gloriavale has opened the New Zealand public up to an alternative world and an alternative perspective on community living. Sadly, the public has reacted with the same sort of steaming disapproval as that reserved for serial offenders and mass fraudsters.

While we've opened our arms and embraced the brave members fleeing in their droves, we've cast aside those who remain there out of choice as being in a cult and resorting to criminal acts to illustrate our dissatisfaction with the 'sinister sect'.

The West Coast commune originally came to New Zealand screens in 2008 when it aired on 60 Minutes, but the sect has a much longer history. It started in Rangiora back in 1969, a year after its founder arrived to New Zealand having ministered throughout Australia.

They've created their own airport complete with commercial airline, as well as a meat processing factory. They're now eyeing up going international with a commune in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

But now, after several interviews over the last week and another documentary set to screen later this year, it appears they now want to shut themselves out of the public eye completely. They want the Grey District Council to restrict its main road because of damage, theft and vandalism.

While some of the principles are hard to comprehend within Gloriavale, there are some times where I feel they're on to something.

I feel the same degree of anger and disappointment with the state of the 'outside world' - or as we call it, the world. Our conquering ways have been noted for centuries and millennia. The Roman Empire, the British Empire, heck even Christianity itself has a history of conquering other cultures in order to establish itself as the dominant force.

It's then, of course, no surprise to see that even in wee New Zealand, a small sub-group are being criticised by the majority for acts the majority see as wrong within their own culture, rather than the perspective of the group.

If the fate of Gloriavale was decided by the general view of those on social media, the commune, along with The Bachelor and X Factor NZ, would not be back next week.

Again, I don't whole-heartedly support some of the principles of the commune. The issues surrounding the readiness of boys and girls to transition into husband and wife are frankly scary, while threats issued to those who contemplate leaving are of genuine concern. These have been shared by the multitudes who have left the commune recently - 22 people in the last two months, would you believe.

There's also the hyprocritical element. As former community member Elijah said in a recent interview, the hypocrisy surrounding Hopeful Christian (nee Neville Cooper)'s position in the commune doesn't help Gloriavale's image.

Add to that the issues surrounding gender inequality in the commune and there's little wonder why so many have fled.

However, there are some other godly principles that are to be admired: an unconditional devotion to God, the sharing of wealth and creating employment opportunities to ensure everyone learns valuable skills. All in a place of belonging where there's a chance to find faith-filled redemption.

It's worth remembering that just as there are 84 people who have left the commune in eight years, according to the Daily Mail there are still 400-500 people who remain. There are testimonies of people who have turned their lives around thanks to the sect, of those who have voluntarily been there for 41 years. These are people who genuinely enjoy Gloriavale.

We mustn't chastise groups because they mightn't have the same principles as we do. If we lose the capability to be open to other ideas and opinions, we'll live a more sorry existence. We would be in the world, but not of the world.

Which leads on to the second point. While openness to different opinions is important, so too is the ability to accept others' freedom of choice. Social media has opened people and groups to a world of liberated derision, where there's no sense of guilt to the malicious content thrown around.

We call ourselves a multi-cultural society. Does that convenient phrase simply feature ethnicities, or does it envelop different sub-groups as well?

Gloriavale mightn't be a big deal to us, but to a small group it is incredibly important. Just as 'emos' and hipsters are grouped together as people living 'their own ways', so too should we accept those who accept and enjoy the Gloriavale life.

The commune isn't going anywhere, and nor should it. It's just a shame that in opening themselves up to the public, they've forced themselves into isolation.

Read more about Gloriavale here.