Many a person driving along the northern Ontario, Pennsylvania, or Ohio road, and passing a horse and buggy, has had a keen interest in the Amish lifestyle. Carrying the appearance of a people from another era, the Amish maintain a largely separate existence from the rest of world through their beliefs, community, and culture.
Amish Origins
Many Amish would consider themselves to be of the Anabaptist religion. The Anabaptists participated in the Christian reformation through the belief in adult baptism as opposed to infant baptism, as was the norm in the 16th century. This school of thought also promotes the separation of church and state.
Originating from the teachings of Menno Simmons, of the Mennonite faith, the Amish parted ways from the Mennonites in the 17th century as a result of disagreements around the discipline of the church. They continue to follow a similar faith to the Mennonites, however the Amish have different standards regarding clothing, and in their methods of worship.
The Amish emigrated from German speaking countries in Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries, and settled in places such as Pennsylvania, Indiana, Ohio, New York, and other states in North America. Today, the Amish number over 150,000 people in the U.S. and can be found in several states, as well as the province of Ontario in Canada.
Amish Culture and Beliefs
The Amish follow a set of rules called the Ordnung, which is set through the different churches, which operate independently of one another, though they do follow similar teachings.
The Ordnung dictates nearly every aspect of the Amish lifestyle, including:
- the style of clothing and hair;
- the use of electricity and other technology;
- the style of buggy and allowance for the use of automobiles;
- the use of telephones; and
- the method and place of worship.
As for education, Amish children typically attend private Amish schools through the eighth grade, and are exempt from compulsory education laws on the basis of their religion.
After school is finished, Amish teens continue to prepare for adulthood by working alongside family and community members on the farm, in construction, or in another such trade for boys, and in the family home for girls.
Although English is the language used in the classroom, the Amish often communicate with each other in German, which is the primary language that's spoken in Amish homes.
Large families with clearly defined gender roles, with the male often being the head of the family, is the norm among Amish households. Divorce, while commonplace in other communities of North America, is prohibited according to Amish culture. Separation of married couples is rare.
The Amish are born, live, marry, work, worship, and grow among the members of their tight-knit community. This often creates a strong sense of belonging and purpose for the members of the Amish faith."Outsiders," or "Englishers" as they are called among the Amish, are often looked upon with suspicion. For this reason, most members of the Amish community are born into it; converts from other religions are rare.
Amish History, Culture and Beliefs
The Amish are a tight-knit community of believers, whose culture and beliefs are taught from birth. While outsiders may look upon their lifestyle with interest and longing, converts are rare.
Sources:
Hostetler, John A. Amish Roots: A Treasury of History, Wisdom, and Lore. Maryland, 1992. The Johns Hopkins University Press.
Jennifer Henderson - Jennifer Henderson has a degree in Early Childhood Education. She has worked in the field of family childcare for the past 12 years, and ...
