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onemangang
Guest
I am not familiar with Amish theology, but I think the world would be a far better, more peaceful place, if people lived as they lived. Food, Clothing, Shelter and God, there is such beauty in simplicity.
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Angel_Gabriel
Guest
It’s called rumspringa…I asked my husband about it but he doesn’t know of any places in the surrounding areas (Indiana/Ohio) that practice it. It’s a Pennsylvania dutch term so perhaps it’s more common around the Pennsylvania area.
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Angel_Gabriel
Guest
In theory I agree with you…but the Amish have their problems too…abuse is one of them. My mother in law was abused by her father and no one did anything about it b/c men control everything and don’t respect women at all…
simplicity is great but the Amish are not without sin…
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Stephen_W
Guest
Please keep in mind, Amish, & Mennonites, & protestants, & even Catholics all have within thier midst, shall we say ‘less than sincere’ members. We know both very devout and very worldly members of the Amish faith. We know of Amish woman who are subjucated by thier men, and know some who relish thier unique role. We even know a ex- Catholic priest who joined with the Amish (topic for another thread - but pls pray for him) because he was drawn to thier pious, monastic way of life.
Also, you cannot paint them with such a broad brush. The Amish split off from the Mennonites and both groups have been continually splintering ever since. There are Amish groups who look and act like mainline protestant groups as well as ulta - conservative groups who avoid any contact with “English”. I come from a group originally called “The Conservative Mennonite and Amish Conference” started by an Amishman in the 1920’s to allow Anabaptist groups to fellowship and address common concerns. Obviously, the effort failed. I no longer am with that group, now split into two, “The Conservative Conference” and “The Biblical Mennonite Alliance”, but if you where to visit a church in either group you would not be able to spot any trace of their Amish roots. Or much conservative about either one.
Point is, for every group that bans something, there is another that accepts it. The collective concious of the group (or for some groups the bishop’s) decides what to accept or disallow based (mostly) on how it will affect the lifestyle of the group with the idea that Jesus and the church are the center of the groups life. Some are way off base ( I know an Old Order Mennonite group that believes if you drive a car you will go to Hell) , some are just sincerely trying to live out a scipturally sound life to the best of thier ability.
Also, you cannot paint them with such a broad brush. The Amish split off from the Mennonites and both groups have been continually splintering ever since. There are Amish groups who look and act like mainline protestant groups as well as ulta - conservative groups who avoid any contact with “English”. I come from a group originally called “The Conservative Mennonite and Amish Conference” started by an Amishman in the 1920’s to allow Anabaptist groups to fellowship and address common concerns. Obviously, the effort failed. I no longer am with that group, now split into two, “The Conservative Conference” and “The Biblical Mennonite Alliance”, but if you where to visit a church in either group you would not be able to spot any trace of their Amish roots. Or much conservative about either one.
Point is, for every group that bans something, there is another that accepts it. The collective concious of the group (or for some groups the bishop’s) decides what to accept or disallow based (mostly) on how it will affect the lifestyle of the group with the idea that Jesus and the church are the center of the groups life. Some are way off base ( I know an Old Order Mennonite group that believes if you drive a car you will go to Hell) , some are just sincerely trying to live out a scipturally sound life to the best of thier ability.
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Stephen_W
Guest
Not an official practice here in PA, but very common. More like Dad turning a blind eye to junior’s pick up behind the barn. Usually harmless. We saw more wild “beer partys” among the Amish youth in Indiana.
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Angel_Gabriel
Guest
lol! I suppose that could be true…my husband has a picture of his father in a wagon with a six pack between his legs!
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Stephen_W
Guest
There is a video, sold to tourists here in Lancaster, PA, “proving” that the Amish are un-regenerated, of a pretty wild party involving Amish youth. By thier dress, the youth were from Kentucky (each group adopts a standard dress).
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Keith_W_OR_USA
Guest
They believe using the technology is worldly. It is just a strange practice of the sect, but they really are the ‘salt of the earth’ type people.
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vsedriver
Guest
I’m not sure what you mean by ‘small’. We’re surrounded by Amish. The largest concentration of Amish is in Holmes County OH. First time I ever saw a buggy traffic jam was at the Mt. Hope auction.
Like any community there are good and there are bad. It is a hard life and many choose to leave. They are not the only sect that practices shunning. But a simpler lifestyle has many benefits for both body and soul.
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couponfit
Guest
I will not answer for the Amish. But I will answer this question from a catholic point of view. Many orders have taken vows of poverty, and celibacy, withdrawal from the world, silence, and even whipping themselves to purge their own flesh.
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JRKH
Guest
Thanks.
I found the program I was referring to. It was a National Geographic program called "Amish on break. Five Amish teens spend four weeks in the UK.
I can’t remember where they were from.
The program was quite good. The interactions were genuine and it can really help one see how permissive and evil the “world” is compared to a more sheltered and “faith filled” life.
Peace
James
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Stephen_W
Guest
Good link. That is dealing with the Old Order Amish in Lancaster,PA, but even then only in generallities. For example, the link says Amish worship services are held every other Sunday, but that would depend on the size of the district. A large district with fewer members might meet only once a month, while a small one with many members might meet weekly. There is also “church” Amish that keep a meeting house instead of holding services in each other’s homes.
Stephen Scott, an Old Order River Brethren, has made studing Old Order and conservative groups a life long persuit and has written many books on the subject. Check out “www.goodbks.com” (sorry, my current group bans computers in the home, and I haven’t figured out how to post links yet).
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JRKH
Guest
Thanks Stephen. 
We have a small Amish community living hear us.
I have found them to be very friendly and outgoing people. Any “issues” are really on my part - not wanting to insult, or not understanding there “ways” etc.
As with most things, it is best to begin from a position of respect.
Others have posted some negatives…Sin…which exists in every community everywhere. We Catholics are just now coming out of a long and scandalous ordeal.
Perhaps, because I grew up in a semi-rural area, around farms and farm types, I have a “soft spot” in my heart for the Amish lifestyle.
I also find it slightly humorous that there is, among some, a strong desire to “get back to the land” (the “mother earth” types), but the Amish have been doing that as a community all along.
Peace
James
We have a small Amish community living hear us.
I have found them to be very friendly and outgoing people. Any “issues” are really on my part - not wanting to insult, or not understanding there “ways” etc.
As with most things, it is best to begin from a position of respect.
Others have posted some negatives…Sin…which exists in every community everywhere. We Catholics are just now coming out of a long and scandalous ordeal.
Perhaps, because I grew up in a semi-rural area, around farms and farm types, I have a “soft spot” in my heart for the Amish lifestyle.
I also find it slightly humorous that there is, among some, a strong desire to “get back to the land” (the “mother earth” types), but the Amish have been doing that as a community all along.
Peace
James
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Cat
Guest
At the moment in the United States, especially among evangelical Protestant women, several series of “Amish Romance” novels are extremely popular.
The magazine Christianity Today actually did an article about the “Amish Romance novel” craze.
The basic conclusion of the article seemed to be that the novels idealized Amish life, especially Amish romance. There is one series that is supposedly well-researched and therefore accurate. But most are just fantasy.
Here’s a link to the online CT article about the Amish romance novels: christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/april/loveamishromances.html
From these novels, you certainly wouldn’t get the idea that the women are abused. May I ask if this is still done and overlooked in Amish communities, or is this something that has been phased out of Amish communities? Thank you for clarifying.
I only know a little about the Amish. We have very small community of them in Northern Illinois, tucked away on a few breathtakingly-beautiful farms up near the Wisconsin border. My dad knows them because he has lived all his life in this area of the U.S. He says that their rule is to take care of their horses before they take care of themselves. And it shows–as you drive by their farms, you have to slow down and admire their gorgeous horses–they are a picture! I keep thinking that there has to be a good horse story on those farms that would be suitable for a Hollywood family movie.
Interesting thread. I think we should strive to learn from the Amish, and follow their example when it comes to the good things that they do (e.g., staying out of debt, which my husband and I don’t do
), taking care of our property and animals, having larger families if possible, trying to live a simpler lifestyle and spend less money on “junk,” and living modestly when it comes to our personal appearance.
But I think we need to be careful not to get caught up trying to follow an Amish way of life that really doesn’t exist except in those romance novels. And I think we should be careful not to condemn technology as sinful–as far as I understand, technology is morally-neutral. Frankly, on a cold winter Illinois morning like this, I like using my potty instead of a chamber pot (which would eventually have to be emptied and cleaned–echh!), or trudging out through the foot-high snow to a freezing outhouse! Ditto for my nice hot shower–I don’t relish the idea of a once-a-week Saturday night bath in a tin washtub in the kitchen! And this computer is kind of nice, too!
The magazine Christianity Today actually did an article about the “Amish Romance novel” craze.
The basic conclusion of the article seemed to be that the novels idealized Amish life, especially Amish romance. There is one series that is supposedly well-researched and therefore accurate. But most are just fantasy.
Here’s a link to the online CT article about the Amish romance novels: christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/april/loveamishromances.html
From these novels, you certainly wouldn’t get the idea that the women are abused. May I ask if this is still done and overlooked in Amish communities, or is this something that has been phased out of Amish communities? Thank you for clarifying.
I only know a little about the Amish. We have very small community of them in Northern Illinois, tucked away on a few breathtakingly-beautiful farms up near the Wisconsin border. My dad knows them because he has lived all his life in this area of the U.S. He says that their rule is to take care of their horses before they take care of themselves. And it shows–as you drive by their farms, you have to slow down and admire their gorgeous horses–they are a picture! I keep thinking that there has to be a good horse story on those farms that would be suitable for a Hollywood family movie.
Interesting thread. I think we should strive to learn from the Amish, and follow their example when it comes to the good things that they do (e.g., staying out of debt, which my husband and I don’t do
), taking care of our property and animals, having larger families if possible, trying to live a simpler lifestyle and spend less money on “junk,” and living modestly when it comes to our personal appearance.But I think we need to be careful not to get caught up trying to follow an Amish way of life that really doesn’t exist except in those romance novels. And I think we should be careful not to condemn technology as sinful–as far as I understand, technology is morally-neutral. Frankly, on a cold winter Illinois morning like this, I like using my potty instead of a chamber pot (which would eventually have to be emptied and cleaned–echh!), or trudging out through the foot-high snow to a freezing outhouse! Ditto for my nice hot shower–I don’t relish the idea of a once-a-week Saturday night bath in a tin washtub in the kitchen! And this computer is kind of nice, too!
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JRKH
Guest
Indeed it can be a joy to see these types of farms and communities. I wouldn’t trust Hollywood with such a movie though…Although the movie “Friendly persuasion”, about a Quaker" family, not Amish, was a good one.
AgreedInteresting thread. I think we should strive to learn from the Amish, and follow their example when it comes to the good things that they do (e.g., staying out of debt, which my husband and I don’t do
But I think we need to be careful not to get caught up trying to follow an Amish way of life that really doesn’t exist except in those romance novels.
I believe that St Paul speaks to this somewhat in one of his letters. Examine all things. Keep what is good and reject what is not good
I have been in two Amish homes…Both had full baths…So you have nothing to fear in that regard.
Neither had electricity so having a computer could be problematic…
Peace
James
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Radical
Guest
the Anabaptist sect that my parents got punted from were very much of the “we are the One True Church” and “there is no salvation outside of the One True Church” mindset…Catholics should be able to relate. That sect, b/c it had set itself so apart from the world, was not influenced by public opinion (and how they appeared to those outside of it). That factor, I suspect, is one of the reasons that they had not yet adopted the “separated brethren” concept (at least as such pertained to non-Anabaptists). .
1 Thess 4:11-12 (NIV):
…and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
This is indeed a problem. IMHO it stems from two factors. First, men (including Amish ones) are strongly driven by sexual desires. Second, power corrupts and Amish men are in a position of power/authority relative to the women and girls that they encounter. As a result abuse occurs. Given that they are taught to submit to authority, when the person in authority denies that abuse occured, his word tends to be preferred over the rare victim that comes forward. Further, there is a strong tendency within the community to believe that such a thing simply could not happen within the One True Church. Again, I would think that Catholics, in particular, should be able to understand how that might work.
Your bitterness shows…good luck in letting it all go.
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Radical
Guest
why pray for him in particular? Are you sure that he isn’t where God wants him to be?
Given what the “English” are presently producing with their technology ( more than a few reality TV shows together with the porn industry come to mind), one could see a benefit or two in avoiding the “English”.
are they both active in the MCC?
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CatholicFireman
Guest
When I read this I thought of the Carthusians at the Grande Chartreuse in Into Great SIlence, althought one scene shows the abbot(?) using a computer.
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Angel_Gabriel
Guest
I will say that yes, my husband is very bitter about the Amish…probably b/c most people he has encountered are either very misinformed of them or once finding out that he used to be Amish, prejudiced against him. I honestly believe that he dislikes them so much b/c of what happened to his mom and how his dad treats his mom even to this day.
What a previous post said about their frugality certainly is true. My father in law is the most frugal person I know regarding money. He rarely spends it on anything…not even things that he needs (like new shoes.)
at any rate they have their own problems and education is one of them. My in laws only have 8th grade educations. Even when they left they didn’t pursue their GEDs like some others do (my husband’s aunts did this). This has held them back so much. my father in law has obvious learning disabilities that had he lived in the “English” world, would have been caught (hopefully). He is now out of work and can’t find anything b/c he has no skills other than being a carpenter and no GED.
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