The Amish Mennonites, or Amish for short, is a religious order that tends to keep to a rigid set of standards creating a simple lifestyle than many in the modern world do not understand. To an Englishman, as they call those who are outsiders to their way of life, many are aware of certain stories and myths about the Amish from books and movies. Most portrayals are seldom accurate and at times way off base. To set the record straight, one needs to get the facts from the Amish. Since the Amish are not on the Internet, there is a record of them as recorded by friends and associates of these people.
What is the history of the Amish?
Many of the beliefs of the Amish can be traced through the roots of the Anabaptist and Mennonite history from the mid 1600's.
The Anabaptists believed that only adults who have confessed their sins are capable to make the decision to be baptized. They believed in remaining separate from society at large so as not to become mixed up with non believers. They were well known for their peaceful ways as they would not take another human life neither in self defense or acts of war. The Anabaptists were very evangelical about their beliefs and went to the public to preach their beliefs and convert new members into the faith.
These beliefs, in an area largely populated by Catholics and Protestants, were not welcomed. Many of these Anabaptists were killed for being heretics. Those who survived attacks migrated to Southern Germany and parts of Switzerland.
Menno Simons, a Catholic priest from Holland, joined the Anabaptists. From his teachings, he created a loyal flock of followers who were named Mennonites.
Jacob Amman, a Swiss bishop, broke away from the Mennonites and his followers were known as Amish. Ammann had views such as the wearing of the untrimmed beard, uniformity in dress, foot washing and prohibition of attendance at services of the state church.
The Anabaptists, Mennonites, and the Amish have split many times since the formation of these main units. They share the same basic principles of Biblical doctrine, but they differ in the ways they worship, exact biblical interpretation, dress, language, association with the world, education, and technological preferences.
Groups of Amish and Mennonites settled in Pennsylvania during the 1720's since the majority of the population were of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), who were tolerant of other religious beliefs and would not persecute them. Similarly, the Friends, also opposed to violence and killing, were killed and persecuted by the Puritan settlers. They settled in the Pennsylvania area in the mid 1600's to maintain a holy experiment in living in peace centered in the city of Philadelphia (city of peace.) The biggest community of the Amish has always been in Lancaster County.
Most of the European Amish Mennonites eventually came back into the original fold of the Anabaptist faith. In the United States and Canada, many still maintain the rigid code of Jakob Amman. The few Amish settlements in Europe exist in Bavaria, Galicia, Holland, Montbéliard, and Volhynia. The Amish colonies in the United States and Canada can be found in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, New York, Nebraska, Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and South Dakota.
The different colonies of the Amish in the United States and Canada brought over their specific paths from the part of Europe where they originated. Therefore, although they believe in the basics of the Amish Mennonite ways, they vary in their Ordnung, or unwritten code of laws.
What do they believe?
While exact specifications of beliefs will vary from one group to another, these are the beliefs that most will agree.
They believe that without faith, it is impossible to know God. In this faith, they believe in the Holy Trinity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit which is eternal. God created the world in six literal days and rested on the seventh. He formed man from the ground and called him Adam. Out of Adam's rib He created Eve therefore the wife is to be in one union with her husband. Adam was formed in the likeness of God and placed in a high position above all of His other creations.
Adam and Eve fell into temptation to break the command of God and were condemned to sin and death. This blemish would pass down through all of their children. They were driven out of the paradise and made to toil the harsh fields of the earth in order to survive knowing one day they would die. In compassion for the condemned creation, He sent His Son to redeem them from becoming eternally lost.
They believe the One who would save the world was conceived in the Virgin Mary through the Holy Spirit to be born in the house of David. This Alpha and Omega was there in the beginning and will be there in the end, is Jesus, God's Son. This Word became flesh and lived a perfect life in order to become a Holy sacrifice for condemned mankind. He was crucified and died, He was buried and resurrected on the third day. It was in this way he became the only salvation for all from the days of Adam to the end of the world if they would only make a decision to believe in and obey God.
Since all are born into sin, one must understand the word of God and repent from their sinful ways, believe in the Gospel and transform their lives in order to receive salvation. One must put off the habits of the old ways and start to live like the new man they are in Christ. For this reason, only a reasoning adult is able to make such a commitment leading to baptism by water.
They believe they are the visible church of God and are one with Him. They confess to be the chosen generation, royal priesthood and the holy nation known as the bride of Christ. They believe that nothing shall ever prevail against God's true church.
Just as the husband is head of the household, Jesus is the head of the Church. Within the church members are those who are assigned special duties to minister and serve the needs of the congregation. They do not believe that one member is more important than another, but that everyone has a certain duty to perform for the flock. Some duties require personal care to the members who cannot care for themselves. Others are in the service to serve the Word of God. In between, there are other positions for members. Those not in a position of an office are equally important in the congregation.
As an act of faith, members partake in passing of the bread and wine which is symbolic of the blood and flesh of Christ. As an act of humility and in example of Jesus, they wash the feet of their brethren.
They believe that marriage is a sacred promise between the husband, wife and God and to be kept holy. Those who wish to marry must choose only within their members so as to not become unevenly yoked. Divorce is not allowed except in case of adultery and the non-offending spouse determines the need, but most choose to forgive the sin. The sinner is, however, shunned in order to reconcile the sinner back to God.
All who have fallen into a pattern of sin after accepting the baptism into the faith must be chastised and be brought into submission to God with humility. Therefore such sinners are subjected to reproof to be counseled in the error of their ways. If such reproof goes unheeded, that member must be shunned in order that the sin does not contaminate the community. When one is shunned, no one may communicate, eat or drink with or in any other way socially interact with the sinner, including their own family. However, if such sinner is hungry, sick or in need, members must cater to those needs.
Members believe that wrath only belongs to God, therefore they are to maintain peace. One must never take revenge against another since that judgment is only for God to make. They refuse to participate in acts of war and will take a stand as conscientious objectors. When confronted with the threat of personal harm, they will turn the other cheek. They reason that should they resort to defend themselves is no guarantee that they will save their own life in the process. As a result in defending themselves, they could be at risk of murdering another person for which they will be held accountable in front of God. Should they die at the hand of another, they would have just been following the path of God and it would be an honorable death.
While members are physically in this world, they believe they are not to be a part of the world outside that is impure. For this reason they keep among themselves and seldom venture to the outside world beyond what is necessary.
They believe in the last days all who have been asleep in death as well as all living will have to face the hour of judgment. Those who are wicked will be cast into outer darkness of hell. Those judged worthy will spend eternity in heaven.
Interesting facts about the Amish
Since the Amish believe they are not to be conformed to the world, they decided in 1919 not to be connected with the power lines which would link them to the rest of the world. Therefore, the Amish do not have electricity. It is not because they believe electricity is an evil thing, but it would compromise the integrity of their way of life.
One must elect to become an Amish, even if they are born into this culture. Many who were born into this way of life have left it in order to live a modern life. An outsider can become a member of this order if they learn to abide by the rules, the culture and the language. For an outsider to become a member, they must be aware that they will have to cast aside their ties to the outside world and give up what we consider necessities (television, cars, radio) to live a simple life.
An untrimmed beard is the mark of a mature married man in the Amish culture. They do not wear mustaches because it is associated with the military. Since they are a people of peace, they do not wish to look like those who kill for a profession.
The Amish people in the United States and Canada do speak English when they must. Among themselves they speak a dialect of German known as Pennsylvania Dutch (Deitch, meaning German and not of the Netherlands.)
The Amish are required to obey and respect the laws of the land and they do pay all taxes except Social Security tax. Most are self employed and all take care of their own as they reach their golden years. They do not rely on welfare or any other form of government charity programs, therefore do not have to pay that tax unless they are working for a non-Amish business.
On the farms, the Amish grow corn, barley, wheat, potatoes, soybeans, tobacco and other things for use among themselves and to sell to outsiders. They do not irrigate their fields and use horse drawn equipment to work the land.
Members of this group have become use to the tourists who visit, although they wish to be left alone, unless they are doing direct business. They realize that total isolation is impossible. They do not pass judgment on the "Englishmen" as they see it is not up to them. They would like to be respected for their faith by outsiders who may stare at or take pictures of them. They do not consider themselves quaint beings, just humble servants of the Lord doing what they feel is right. Taking a picture is considered offensive since they take the second commandment very seriously that states, "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth." (Exodus 20:4)
Holidays the Amish observe include Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, Good Friday, Ascension Day, Pentecost, and Whit Monday. There is nothing elaborate about these holidays. It is supposed to be a time to fast and meditate on the Bible and their commitment to God.
The Amish believe in modern medicine. They will get immunized, have surgery, get dental work, take blood transfusions and anesthesia, or anything that will improve their health when in need. Some women will even seek "English" doctors and have babies in hospitals or birthing centers. They believe health is a gift from God and a blessing. They do not carry health insurance in many orders and all medical costs are funded by the order.
For young people in the Old Order, courting can start around age 16. Young people will begin pairing up on Sundays after singing in the evening. The couple keeps the courtship secret, even to their family. About two weeks before the couple plans on getting married, the announcement is made to the congregation. During the announcement, the couple is not present at that service. The bride to be is at home fixing a meal for soon to be husband. Weddings take place in November and early December and usually on Tuesdays or Thursdays. The wedding is held at the bride's parents' home. The customs of the Amish forbid jewelry, so no rings are exchanged. The ceremony is simple without flowers, lavish gowns, or anything that draws away from the solemnity of the vows being made. After the wedding, there is much food which is prepared by the mother of the bride, the bride and other women. They do not hire caterers. On the honeymoon, they spend the night in the home of the bride's parents since they must help with the cleaning from the party. During the winter months, they visit with relatives to introduce the new family members formally. This is where they get the wedding gifts which are usually items to help them when their home is built the following spring.
In the Old Order, Amish men and women are to dress modestly to show humility and as to not elevate themselves above anyone else. Females wears dresses, never pants. They dress is in a solid color and its length is between the floor and half way between the knee and floor. The women are not allowed to cut their hair and wear it in a bun, covered with a white prayer cloth if they are married and black if they are single. Males wear suits in dark colors which fasten with hooks and eyes and has no lapels, trousers held up with suspenders, shirts with buttons. Amish men wear black hats which reflect their community and range from the width of the brim, the brim around the hat and the crown of the hat. In summer, straw hats are preferred since they keep the heads cooler than the black hats when working in the fields.
Schooling for the Amish vary depending on their order, though most do not go to mainstream schools. Some Mennonite groups have special parochial schools and colleges. Old Order groups elect to keep schooling within the community in a one room schoolhouse up to grade eight. Many others home school their children.
A funeral held in the Amish community is very simplistic as their way of life. The coffin is a plain, unlined wooden casket with hinges. A married woman can be buried in her wedding dress. The deceased and those in attendance at the funeral wear white. There are no eulogies or praises of the dead person, but a sermon of hope for the dead and the living. The graveside is given a simple tombstone identical to the other ones in the church cemetery.
Children born into the Amish household are considered a blessing and are honored, though not in the way an Englishman would define it. At an early age, the children are given chores and must learn the value of work and earning their keep, to do otherwise would be to leave the child unprepared for life and a disservice to them. Time at the end of the day tends to be short since they must get to bed early in order to wake up early and chores take up much time during the day. Parents do spend time with their children, tell them stories, and play with them at the end of the day. Children have toys that are most often handmade. Girls have rag dolls without a face on the head since it would go against the second commandment.
In Old Order communities, they are not allowed to play musical instruments which are considered of the world. They do sing and value the gift of natural music.
While the Amish do not use electric power, there is nothing against using natural gas to power their water heaters, stoves, refrigerators and gas pressured lamps and lanterns. This helps them live in a more comfortable existence while still maintaining separation from the world. They also do not own cars, but have no objections in riding in the vehicles of others. The reason is to own cars in their community would set up inequalities among members who could afford vehicles versus those who could not afford it. Also, it would speed up their way of life. Much like electricity, they do not see automobiles as evil, but a good tool that has the potential to corrupt their way of life.
The Amish Mennonites will not swear to an oath. They believe that no one, man or magistrate, can force them to take the Lord's name in vain by swearing to the truth in His name. They believe one must always tell the truth. Their yes means yes and their no means no. Profanity is also not allowed.
If this simplistic way of life sounds appealing to you, there are some Orders which will allow an Englishman to stay and work among their ranks as long as you abide by their rules. It is not for everyone, but if you need a fresh outlook on life, it could be an option for you.
For more information about the Amish Mennonites, please consult these web sites:
Questions about the Amish
Dordrecht Confession of Faith
Ask The Amish FAQ Page
By the way, these sites are not run by the Amish, but friends and business associates of those in these communities.
Back to the Religion section.
