A Comparison of the Amish to Catholics

[ChadS]

Long Journey wrote:

I agree that it takes time and effort to understand almost any group. I would never have become Roman Catholic without taking time and making a real effort to understand the Church. I had read a lot about Catholics, both good and bad information. I knew people who had left the Church and were very bitter. And I could write a book of stories from people who knew someone who was Catholic and wanted to pass on what they had heard or observed.

I became Catholic because of R.C.I.A. classes and attending Mass. Because I really wanted to know about the Roman Catholic Church, I went to the source of good information.

In order to intelligently discuss “the similarities and dissimilarities between the Amish and Catholics,” one would need to go to the source of good information about the Amish which is the Amish community itself.

While the Amish are a closed society, they aren’t a secret society and a they live among the “English” and have substantial interactions on all sorts of levels with non-Amish. Finding out information about their lives and beliefs isn’t difficult and it isn’t always necessary to do first hand sociological research by living among them to get reliable information. The Amish have been around for long enough and live in plain sight of the rest of us that useful information can be gotten from books, magazines and cookbooks about their lives.

Even without knowing Amish or ex-Amish it’s possible to learn enough about them to make useful comparisons.

ChadS

 

[Holly3278]

Holly 3278 wrote:

And…

I didn’t accuse anyone of lying…but would you want others to learn about the Catholic Church from those who had left the Church and others who only “knew someone” who was Catholic?

If you truly want to learn about the Amish, spend time among them.

Tabbey, I apologize if you felt that I was accusing you of accusing anyone of lying. That certainly was not my intention. Anyway, I posted this thread because it is a casual interest of mine. I really don’t have enough of an interest in the subject to pursue Amish people to quiz about their religion. To be honest, I’d be afraid that some of them might take offense to that. That said, I am not taking what people say here about the Amish to be the “gospel truth” as some would say. In other words, I am not taking everything here as completely and totally factual. However, I do believe that it is probably relatively accurate material that is being posted here.

Anyway, as I said, I posted this only out of general interest. I am not harming anyone with this thread so I really don’t understand your objection. That said, you do have the right to feel the way you want to and I hold absolutely no ill will towards you for this. I am just more confused about your response than anything.

 

[tabbey48]

Holly3278 wrote:

Tabbey, I apologize if you felt that I was accusing you of accusing anyone of lying. That certainly was not my intention. Anyway, I posted this thread because it is a casual interest of mine. I really don’t have enough of an interest in the subject to pursue Amish people to quiz about their religion. To be honest, I’d be afraid that some of them might take offense to that. That said, I am not taking what people say here about the Amish to be the “gospel truth” as some would say. In other words, I am not taking everything here as completely and totally factual. However, I do believe that it is probably relatively accurate material that is being posted here.

Anyway, as I said, I posted this only out of general interest. I am not harming anyone with this thread so I really don’t understand your objection. That said, you do have the right to feel the way you want to and I hold absolutely no ill will towards you for this. I am just more confused about your response than anything.

Holly, There was never any ill-will in anything I wrote on this subject. I do have a deep love for the Amish and Mennonite people and their way of life. I believe that it is wrong to discuss any person/group of people without them having a chance to give first-hand information. I have read too many of the “comparisons” of various faith groups that were very unfair. Fundamentalist Protestants sometimes do it…even Catholics do it from time to time.

I have read many of your posts on CAF and have a deep respect for you. But I STILL do not think we should compare faith groups when we can’t get really good (name removed by moderator)ut from both sides. Forgive me if I caused you any confusion or hurt with my opinions.

 

[Ceil-1]

I respect the Amish in every way except that they don’t vote.

The area I grew up in has been settled by Amish galore. They are eyeing my parents’ homestead. My father has already sold a lot of land to them.

They are very interesting people. And, they can have cautious, but, positive relationships with us “English”. My mother sent condolences to the family of the lady who made my family some quilts, who died of cancer. She and the lady would have pleasant exchanges, albeit superficial, back and forth.

There is a few communities of Catholic people who live just like the Amish (on that model with the funky dresses and everything). They even have a website. If I think of it, I will link it.

 

[LongJourney]

I really don’t have enough of an interest in the subject to pursue Amish people to quiz about their religion. To be honest, I’d be afraid that some of them might take offense to that.

The Amish that I have met appreciate any questions about their choice of lifestyle. Their answers often express their philosophy and attitudes towards the “English” way of life. They are not unfriendly people, just cautious.

Going to another thread, if it weren’t for the Amish, this state’s rules on homeschooling would probably be a lot more restrictive.