The Amish, who are also called “The Plain People” or Old Order Amish, originated in Switzerland in approximately 1525. They originated from a movement called the Anabaptist movement. Jacom Amman was the leader. This happened during the reformation in the16th Century Europe. They believed in holding on to traditions and keeping themselves separated from the world. He was stricter about this than other Anabaptists of that time. The Anabaptists were against the union of church and state and also against infant baptism. They felt that each individual should make this choice for himself when he or she is old enough. They felt the age for baptism was about 18 years. This disagreed with the laws of the time. It was illegal to be baptised as an adult in the 16th century. Many Anabaptists died backing up their beliefs. They also held their worship services in their homes instead of in a church. Many organizations fought them because of their beliefs, from the government to the Protestant and Roman Catholic churches.
The Amish once belonged to the Mennonites, who were named after Menno Simons, a Dutch Anabaptist leader. The Mennonites were persecuted in thier native country, Holland and fled to Switzerland.
Later, in 1693, there was a split from the Swiss “Mennonite” Brethren in 1693. This split occurred mainly because of the practices of foot washing and avoidance. Today there is no organized Amish movement in Europe.
The Amish migrated to the United states in the early 1700’s. The majority arrived in Pennsylvania, this was part of a ” Holy Experiment” organised by William Penn, which is said to have saved the Amish from extinction. They have enjoyed religious freedom from the time they arrived in America until the present, with only a few minor glitches, which have been resolved in court cases.
Since their arrival in Pennsylvania the Amish have been living in accordance to their religious beliefs. They live very simply, holding on to the way of life of the 1700’s. This includes dress, language and technology. In the 1860’s, the Amish held a series of conferences in Wayne County, Ohio to decide how to deal with the pressures to live a more modern life. What resulted was a split into a number of divisions, ranging from the conservative Old Order Amish, the New Order Amish, and a few more groups which are more conservative than the Old Order.
The Old Order is the largest of the groups. They use few modern conveniences. For the most part they shun the use of motor powered equipment. However, on occasion they will use tractors with steel wheels to pull large equipment on the highway. And, it is rare to see tractors being used in the fields, except in climates that are too hot for horses. Very few of the Old Order use indoor plumbing and running water.
The New Order maintains many of the Old Order practices. However, they are considered the most progressive of the Amish groups. Some of these New Order Groups use telephones, regular air filled tires for their tractors, and even electricity in their homes.
Some extreme cases are the conservative Swartzentrubers, and the Nebraska Amish of Central Pennsylvania who do not use indoor plumbing, or motorized machinery of any kind. They also wear even more conservative clothing. The Nebraska Amish, for example, do not wear suspenders or bonnets, and will not even allow screens on their doors and windows. Over 90% of the current Amish population, are from the original emigrant ancestors. There are less than 10% converts included in the total membership.
Today there are between 100,000 and 150,000 Amish in North America. The largest group resides in Holmes County, Ohio. Other areas of concentration for the Amish are in Pennsylvania, northern Indiana and Iowa. Fewer still are to be found in the eastern and mid-western states and Ontario, Canada. All together, the Amish are said to have communities in 24 states. When most people think of the Amish, they think of the Amish of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, who are said to be the most well known due to the large amounts of tourists that travel there, and a movie, “Witness”, which was filmed there in Lancaster.
The Amish, among themelves, speak Pennsylvania Dutch, which is a variant from German, or Deutsch. It is also common for them to use High German, or Hoch Deutsch in worship services, and they learn English in their schools.
Men wear beards, as is the laws of the Hebrew Scriptures. They are said to not grow moustaches, because of their association with the military, which they want nothing to do with.
The common attire for an Amish woman is a plain colored dress, with long sleeves, a bonnet and an apron. It is said that at death, a woman is normally buried in her bridal dress
Land is of prime importance to the Amish. The Amish live off of the land, and are mainly farmers. They also engage in other common professions, most of which duppor an agrarian lifestyle. These include, black smiths, buggy and harness makers, cabinetmakers, and carpenters. All of these professions assist the Amish in living in accordance to their lifestyle. One problem they face is the increasing price of land, and the scarcity of land to be found today. These conditions are forcing some Amish, primarily younger members, to seek work outside of their community. Some have found work in factories, restaurants, and local stores. It is becoming more common for some Amish to shop in these stores. They purchase things, which are essential the Amish lifestyle and things they cannot produce themselves.
Another important thing for the Amish are their families. This included not only their biological family, but also their church family. They spend much time socializing, and visiting one another. However, more distant relatives and friends do stay in contact by mail. As family members gets older, and wish to retire from farming, they move into a “Grandpa House”. This private residence is typically near the main farmhouse. The elderly do not quit farming all together. They continue to work at chores to help around the farm.
The Amish choose to live like their ancestors did a century or more ago. They live in more or less normal houses, which are typically large in size, in order to support a large family.
The various Amish groups live with different degrees of technology according to the practices of their specific order. Their farms are usually run without the use of electricity and telephones. Many homes use wood or coal to fuel their stoves, which then provide them with heat. It is also common to find cooking stoves which use propane, kerosene or wood. For light they generally use Kerosene or clear gas lamps.
Another stereotypical feature found in Amish country is the windmill. It is used to pump water for use on the farm or in the household. Some of the more modern Amish use gasoline engines to power pumps with pressure tanks, which then supply running water for bathrooms and kitchens. However in more traditional houses it is still common to see a hand pump. The usual means of heating water is either through kerosene-fired water heaters, or by pipes running through the kitchen stove. The stoves are usually fuelled either by wood, kerosene or propane. For those Amish fortunate enough to have a natural gas line on their property, they are permitted to use gas to heat their homes, power their refrigerator and provide light at night. That is however, only for those who feel that those modern conveniences are not hindering them in their spiritual lives.
The way they decide what modern conveniences are appropriate and which are not is a complex issue. First, the Amish freely choose their lifestyle. They therefore have to decide where each community will draw the line. They weigh their decisions, and if they do choose to take on a new convenience, it is for a specific purpose. For example, they might accept a ride in a car, if they had urgent travel needs, for instance getting to a doctor. Another example is the phone, an Amish family may have a phone in their home, but they wouldn’t use it like the average American. It would be there to make important calls, like to make orders for the farm, or to notify distant family members of a possible illness or death in the family.
A traditional day-in-the-life of an Amish man, looks something like this: He gets an early start, waking at approximately five a.m., he then proceeds to the barn where he feeds the animals, milks the cows, and prepares the milk for being delivered to a local dairy. He then returns home to have breakfast and prayer time with the family. He then does field work, depending on the season. A typical day for an Amish man begins at sun up and not finish until sundown, with only a break for lunch.
A traditional day for an Amish woman, also begins at five a.m. She helps with the milking and prepares breakfast for the family. Her varying daily duties include laundry and working in the ” kitchen garden”, which is usually bright and full of colorful flowers. It is also common for the man to help with the garden. Other duties are kitchen work, harvesting vegetables for meals, preparing children for school, packing lunches, ironing, washing dishes, by hand of course, baking, cooking and depending on the season canning food, and making jellies and jams.
Sewing is also a main chore for an Amish woman. Most is done in August while preparing for the children to start the new school year. Almost everything is sewn at home, from the men and boys’ pants and shirts, to the women’s coverings and bonnets, dresses and aprons.
Amish women wear a traditional head covering, white coverings are for the married women, and the unmarried women wear black coverings. There is also a black hat that is more of a bonnet, and it is worn over the covering when in public. The Amish now purchase a few things that they do not manufacture at home. These include such things as hats, socks, under garments, work gloves, and things along those lines. Men’s Sunday suits are usually purchased and specially made by an Amish tailor, who makes his living sewing for the Amish community. Some stores sell traditional Amish clothing, which are also sewn by Amish seamstresses and placed in the stores for sale.
A traditional Sunday in the Amish community includes a visit to their church. The size of their congregations is usually about 300. They conduct their worship services in different homes biweekly, not in church buildings. Before church, they would get an early start, since they have to take care of chores like feeding their animals, milking the cows, and preparing lunch. They typically leave for church around 7:30 a.m. After the church service, they have some social time, visiting with other church members and their extended family. They still have obligations at home, and must return in the late afternoon to tend to the animals. However, even during the week, they make time to visit with neighbors and family members.
The Amish quilt is famous throughtout the United States and the world. They use these colorful, artistic quilts to decorate their bedrooms. They are also made as a source of income and sold to tourists. Tradition tells us that each woman creates a small imperfection in each quilt made, to confirm the imperfection of man.
One of the many things that Amish people do not partake in, or support is photography. They believe that pictures violate Exodus 20:4, “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that…is in the earth…” Another concern is that pictures could promote self-pride.
The Amish, like the average US citizen, pay income and real estate taxes. They are, however, exempt from social security taxes if their community farms or are self-employed. They do not accept public aid like welfare or retirement income. Their children receive a birth certificate when born like any other American baby. It does not matter if that child was born in the home, or in a hospital. The Amish also comply with the government requirement for registration with the social security administration and they receive a social security card just like other Americans. Regarding health care, the Amish have local doctors, or specialists that they see in their local communities.
They allow treatment using the most modern medical practices after they have tried their traditional home remedies. Because of the cost of medical treatments, and because the Amish do not use insurance plans, but rather pay for all medical costs themselves, if serious treatment is required, the Amish have been known to go to Mexico to save money. Some Amish have mutual aid funds, that members use to help pay medical or dental bills. The Amish also take part in local, or state elections that have a direct impact on them. They do not, however, participate in National elections, because they are not members of the political parties.
If a person wants to join the Amish church, that person must move to an Amish community, and live there for an unspecified time, this could mean years. One must accept the Amish and also be accepted by the Amish. It is about more than just living the simple life, one must also commit to and demonstrate the uniquely Amish religious beliefs. One must also follow the Ordnung’, or church.
The Amish interact with thier non-Amish neighbors, and fellow townspeople. It is common for them to be a little stand-offish with non-Amish until they develop mutual trust. Non-Amish people who visit an Amish area can talk to the Amish at roadside stands or possibly stay with an Amish family in thier home since some families host visitors in their homes as a source of extra income.
For people interested in having contact with the Amish, The Budget, an Amish newspaper has listings of people seeking an Amish pen pal, however, there is not a list of Amish looking for non-Amish pen pals.
Amish children attend formal school in their communities until the eighth grade. However, their entire childhood is an education. Amish parents begin training their children in their way of life, including chores, from an early age, this continues until young adulthood. They learn the necessary skills to survive, from farming to carpentry and parenthood. They learn the practical things that are applicable to their lives than they will not learn during their formal education. They want their children to have an education that produces good, compassionate, and God-fearing men. Since US public education is secular and law prohibits religious education in public schools, the Amish provide their own formal education or provide religious education at home.
In a famous case three fathers were arrested and convicted in Wisconsin because their children who were under 16 were not attending school. This case was then taken to the US Supreme Court. In 1972 the US Supreme Court in the case Wisconsin vs. Yoder, ruled that it was unconstitutional to force the Amish into high school, and that the parents had the right to limit the education of their children. During these conflicts with laws and education, some Amish migrated from Pennsylvania to other states, for example Missouri, because it had more relaxed laws.
There have been studies done where Amish children have been tested and compared to normal school children. The Amish children consistently scored higher on their standardized IQ tests.
“Chief Justice E. Harold Hallows of the Wisconsin Supreme Court stated in his eighteen page opinion favoring the Amish: “The Amish claim, with compelling merit, that their education produces as good a product as tow additional years of compulsory high school education does.” The Court further stated :To force a worldly education on all Amish children , the majority of whom do not want it or need it, in order to confer a dubious benefit on the few who might later reject their religion, is not a compelling interest. Two more years of schooling do not help the Amish in his environment,” the Court said. “
The Amish are Christians and consider themselves born again by having had accepted Christ as their Savior, believing that He died for their sins. They believe in a personal relationship with God, and their main study book is the Bible. The Amish celebrate Christmas with friends and family, by exchanging gifts on December 25th. They also celebrate Epiphany, on January 6th, along with a Fast Day on October 11. One thing that differs in the way other Americans might celebrate, is that the Amish do not decorate their homes for Christmas.
The Amish have very similar beliefs to those of other conservative Christian groups. They seem so be almost identical to that of Fundamentalists and other Evangelical churches. They have the same views on baptism, and a literal interpretation of the Bible for example. Some differences are:
The Amish believe in remaining separate from the rest of the world.
They reject involvement with the military and war.
There is no central Amish organization, each district sets it’s own standards.
They do not evangelise, or seek people to convert like many other evangelical groups.
They have what they call the Ordnung’, an oral tradition, by which they live and that regulates the Amish way of life. (Some of the details of the Ordnung differ from district to district.)
One bit of scripture that the Amish often quote, and live by is: “Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
A traditional symbol of the Amish is the horse-drawn buggy. There are, however, many different kinds of buggies, varying from style to color. The Amish maintain strong traditions relating to their buggies and they are unique to their owner and the owner’s community. There are buggies, which have truck beds, hatchbacks, etc. Sometimes the color of a buggy tops can teach you who it belongs to. For instance, in Lancaster County, buggies that have gray tops belong to the Amish and buggies that are all black belong to the Old Order Mennonites.
The buggy of a community can also show you how conservative that community may be. Some of the things to pay attention to are whether or not they have windows, wipers, lights, blinkers, and the type of wheels.
Buggies are slow, and hard to see at night. They have been the cause of many traffic accidents. Many Amish are beginning to be required to have lights, and reflectors on thier buggies in the interest of public safety. Some groups, however refuse. The group in Harmony, MN, ended up in a State Supreme Court case. The case ruled in favor of the right to resist the use of the safety devices.
Most Amish groups come from the original Swiss immigrants. This has caused a limited gene pool. One example, is the Amish from Lancaster County, PA. They are descendants of about 200 Swiss who came to the US in the early to mid 1700’s. The Amish population has grown to 30,000 in the Lancaster County area. The Amish do not marry outside their community, and because only so few converts have joined their community, the community has been swimming in a closed gene pool for more than 12 generations. This inbreeding has been the cause for some genetic mutations. A sample of these disorders include dwarfism, mental retardation and problems with their metabolism. Also one in 200 Amish have a disease called glutaric aciduria’, type I. This causes them to be born healthy, but as soon as they catch even a mild illness they experience permanent neurological damage.
There is also a disease called Bartter’s syndrome, which starts with a lack of appetite, and other small symptoms, and later in life ends in Kidney failure. Another common disease is maple syrup urine disease, where the urine and earwax from a person with this disease are said to smell like maple syrup. This disease is deadly, and can take the life of an infant within a week. The Amish are twice as likely to get these genetic diseases than the general population. A Dr. Morton, has been studying these diseases in the Amish. He says with diet, and other interventions, he is now able to treat about 80 percent of his patients. He has also began screening the babies as they are born.
Many people are interested in studying the Amish because of this closed gene pool. There has been cooperation, and studies done on diabetes, and manic depression, along with other diseases.
I believe most people have a difficult time understanding or imagining the Amish lifestyle. It is definitely outside the norm in America. I found a recent song that represents some of the stereotypes people have about the Amish. It is called, “Amish Paradise” by Weird Al Yankovic, a comic song writer and performer. It is to the tune of “Gangster’s Paradise”. (I was unable to find the text, and therefore had to write it down while listening, so there may be some slight errors.)
As I walk through the valley, where I harvest my grain, I take a look at my wife and realise she is very plain. But that’s just perfect for an Amish like me. You know I shun fancy thins like electricity, at 4:30 in the morning, I’m milking the cows, Jeradia feeds the chickens and Jacob plows. Fool- and I’ve been milking and plowing so long that even Ezekial thinks that my mind is gone. I’m a man of the land, I’m in to discipline. I’ve got a Bible in my hand, and a beard on ma chin. But if I finish all of my chores and you finish thyne, then tonight we’re going to party like it is 1699.
We’ve been spending most our lives living in an Amish paradise. I’ve churned butter once or twice living in an Amish paradise. It’s hard work and sacrifice living in an Amish paradise. We sell krugs at discount price living in an Amish paradise.
A local boy kicked me in the butt last week, I just smiled ant him and I turned the other cheek. I really don’t care, in fact I wish him well, cause I’ll be laughing my head off when he’s burning in hell. But I ain’t never punched a tourist, even if he deserved it. An Amish with a tool, you know that’s unheard of. I never wear buttons, but I got a cool hat and my homies agree I really look good in black. Fool- if you come to visit you’ll be bored to tears, we haven’t even paid the phone bill in 300 years. But we ain’t really quaint, so please don’t point and stare, we are just technologically impaired.
There’s no phone, no lights, no motor-car not a single luxury, like Robinson Corouso it’s as primitive as can be. We’ve been spending most our lives living in an Amish paradise. We’re just plain and simple guys living in an Amish paradise. There is no time for sin and vice living in an Amish paradise. We don’t fight we all play nice living in an Amish paradise.
Hitching up the buggy, churning lots of butter, raise the barn on Monday, soon I’ll raise another. Think you’re really righteous think you’re pure in heart, well I know I’m a million times as humble as though art. I’m the pious guy the little Amish want to be like on my knees day and night scoring points for the after-life. So don’t be vain and don’t be wayne or else my brother and I might have to get mid-evil on your hiney.
We’ve been spending most our lives, living in an Amish paradise. We’re all crazy Mennonites living in an Amish paradise. There’s no cops or traffic lights, living in an Amish paradise. But you’d probably think it bites living in an Amish paradise.
In examining the Amish, I intended to present a summary of a group that I felt was truly outside the mainstream and definitely a part of the Lunatic Fringe’. In preparing this report, I have come to understand that even though the Amish present a truly marginal, quirky face, they are a uniquely traditional and mainstream religious group. The pre-revolutionary North American colonies were an experiment in religious tolerance Groups that were considered Fringe’ in Europe during this time were either exiled to the New World or these Fringe’ groups emigrated to the colonies in search of peace and the ability to worship and live as they saw fit.
The United States institutionalised this religious freedom and tolerance in The Constitution. What may seem like a lunatic fringe in other parts of the world, because of the prevalence of specific religious faiths, is actually a demonstration of religious freedom. At this time in history, the Catholic Church and the mainstream reformed churches, Lutheran, Church of England, Church of Scotland, etc., dominated philosophical and religious thought in Europe. These institutionalised religions had a narrow view of what was acceptable behavior and thought. This narrow view of religious expression helped populate the US with many different fundamentalist Christian sects during the pre-revolutionary European migrations.
The Amish is quite definitely a fundamentalist sect. Since they appear to outsiders to be trapped in time, quaint and otherworldly. However, their fundamentalism is not a definition of Lunatic Fringe’. I learned in my study that the Amish are traditional Christians following the precepts of their individual Orders.
Bibliography:
www.amish.net
www.religioustolerance.org/amish
http://www-personal.umich.edu/bpl/mennocon.html#amish
http://www-personal.umich.edu/bpl/mennocon.html#amish
http://holycrosslivonia.org/amish/
http://www.800padutch.com/amish.shtml
