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Are the Amish a bunch of hypocrites?
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I noticed a topic on the Amish on another board and no one could specifically say just what the Amish believe, because they are becoming integrated
into the world now.
What I mean by this is they obviously have a stigma of being a separate society within society or are they?
Some people have claimed that they:
Do not use electricity.
Do not drive cars but rely on the horse and carriage.
Dress modestly.
Do not take photographs or allow themselves to be photographed.
These are just a few.
In my area there are some Amish and they definitely do not follow these rules. Apart from dressing modestly in old style clothes at their convenience, you would not be able to tell them apart. They drive cars, go shopping, sometimes dress like anyone else, and live in modern houses.
So why are they still Amish if they do not live in the ways of the Amish. Doesn't it by default make them not Amish if they live like everyone else?
What I mean by this is they obviously have a stigma of being a separate society within society or are they?
Some people have claimed that they:
Do not use electricity.
Do not drive cars but rely on the horse and carriage.
Dress modestly.
Do not take photographs or allow themselves to be photographed.
These are just a few.
In my area there are some Amish and they definitely do not follow these rules. Apart from dressing modestly in old style clothes at their convenience, you would not be able to tell them apart. They drive cars, go shopping, sometimes dress like anyone else, and live in modern houses.
So why are they still Amish if they do not live in the ways of the Amish. Doesn't it by default make them not Amish if they live like everyone else?
reply to post by ben91069
i'm not quite sure... but maybe there are different levels of amish. maybe the ones that are horse-riding, candle-burning etc etc are the fundies of the amish
i'm not quite sure... but maybe there are different levels of amish. maybe the ones that are horse-riding, candle-burning etc etc are the fundies of the amish
reply to post by ben91069
Are you sure they're Amish and not Mennonite? Even amongst Mennonites, there are at least 7 different "flavors" and varying levels of restrictiveness.
So I'd say the Amish and Mennonites are probably no more or less hypocritical than most of the rest of us.
Are you sure they're Amish and not Mennonite? Even amongst Mennonites, there are at least 7 different "flavors" and varying levels of restrictiveness.
So I'd say the Amish and Mennonites are probably no more or less hypocritical than most of the rest of us.
reply to post by yeahright
While it is true that the majority of religion is hypocritical, the Amish are very distinct in their separatist ways, so when they integrate with the rest of society it does not leave much left of their sect to stand on.
Now whether they are Mennonites in my area, I do not know. There aren't many of them around here but they flourish in other parts of the state, so unless you are privy to where they come from and their circles it is hard for one to say. I suppose I could ask one of them at some point when I see them at Taco Bell, but I seriously do not care if they claim to be either Amish or Mennonite. It is just telling to me that many of their younger generation seem to be straying away from them. Someday, they will just be history - I am sure.
While it is true that the majority of religion is hypocritical, the Amish are very distinct in their separatist ways, so when they integrate with the rest of society it does not leave much left of their sect to stand on.
Now whether they are Mennonites in my area, I do not know. There aren't many of them around here but they flourish in other parts of the state, so unless you are privy to where they come from and their circles it is hard for one to say. I suppose I could ask one of them at some point when I see them at Taco Bell, but I seriously do not care if they claim to be either Amish or Mennonite. It is just telling to me that many of their younger generation seem to be straying away from them. Someday, they will just be history - I am sure.
reply to post by ben91069
Amish, Mennonite, et al all have their origins from the Anabaptists from medieval Europe. I'm in Indiana and in northern Indiana there are several Amish and Mennonite communities. I'm sure you're right, modern life is inexorably encroaching upon them.
There's a rite of adolescence known as "rumspringa" that relaxes the rules for young adults prior to baptism into the order, and during that period the young are allowed a great deal of latitude to experience the "outside world". You may be seeing some of that, as well.
Yes, inevitably, they'll all be history. Just like the rest of us.
Amish, Mennonite, et al all have their origins from the Anabaptists from medieval Europe. I'm in Indiana and in northern Indiana there are several Amish and Mennonite communities. I'm sure you're right, modern life is inexorably encroaching upon them.
There's a rite of adolescence known as "rumspringa" that relaxes the rules for young adults prior to baptism into the order, and during that period the young are allowed a great deal of latitude to experience the "outside world". You may be seeing some of that, as well.
Yes, inevitably, they'll all be history. Just like the rest of us.
Originally posted by yeahright
[There's a rite of adolescence known as "rumspringa" that relaxes the rules for young adults prior to baptism into the order, and during that period the young are allowed a great deal of latitude to experience the "outside world". You may be seeing some of that, as well.
That is one belief I read that stood out as being non-hypocritical. They do think that baptism should be reserved for when you become an adult and they even encourage the youth to "break away" so that they are better informed of their choice to become baptized or not, unlike some Christian churches who baptize automatically newborns soon after birth as if they have no choice but that of the parents.
I do not believe in a literal water baptism so it makes no difference to me if they think a ceremonial washing will dedicate themselves to a religion.
Originally posted by ben91069
I do not believe in a literal water baptism so it makes no difference to me if they think a ceremonial washing will dedicate themselves to a religion.
I sort of agree. And I'm sure I know what you mean. I don't believe there's anything you can do to your physical body that is anything more than symbolic in this context. Baptism is of the spirit or it's nothing. Dipped, dunked, sprinkled, whatever.
If you have it spiritually, the water is irrelevant. If you don't, it's meaningless.
reply to post by ben91069
Well, I dont personally know any Amish, but have seen some in their natural habitat.
Most near me dont use electricty or drive cars, instead rely on horse and buggies.
They do dress conservativly, and sometimes see them at a mall, but they are usually near or in the borders.
As for being photographed, I can't say.
I dont think they drink alcohol either.
Well, I dont personally know any Amish, but have seen some in their natural habitat.
Most near me dont use electricty or drive cars, instead rely on horse and buggies.
They do dress conservativly, and sometimes see them at a mall, but they are usually near or in the borders.
As for being photographed, I can't say.
I dont think they drink alcohol either.
It depends on which particular group they belong to. And alot of their resistance to modern things isn't due to some deep fear of them it has more to
do with them being considered a distraction than it being just something evil. My brother in laws father actually drives for a crew so they can come
into the city and build houses. It isn't ouncommon to find them in bars and such either, and they even can get a DUI for driving their horse and
buggy drunk to.
Originally posted by Jovi1
and they even can get a DUI for driving their horse and buggy drunk to.
Maybe they could use the defense that the vehicle has a mind of its own and that the primary motive power was "not" drunk at the time, but just ate a lot of alfalfa grass or something.
Any Amish person who goes to a modern restaurant or uses the roads that cars use is definately a hypocrite.
They say they can't use modern appliances because it's evil to do so.
But they have no problem making others use the modern appliances .. and then paying those people to do so (like ordering a hamburger at Wendys).
I live near Amish people and I see them in stores that use electricity and I see them in restaurants that use electricity.
As far as I'm concerned, if they really believed what they are preaching, then they wouldn't cooperate with the 'sin' of modern society. They wouldn't use the roads and they wouldn't go to the stores or restaurants.
They say they can't use modern appliances because it's evil to do so.
But they have no problem making others use the modern appliances .. and then paying those people to do so (like ordering a hamburger at Wendys).
I live near Amish people and I see them in stores that use electricity and I see them in restaurants that use electricity.
As far as I'm concerned, if they really believed what they are preaching, then they wouldn't cooperate with the 'sin' of modern society. They wouldn't use the roads and they wouldn't go to the stores or restaurants.
reply to post by FlyersFan
I would have to agree here at least for some of them. The argument listed previously that they find some things as merely distractions of their faith seems a little absurd. For example, drinking alcohol may be a distraction from spiritual matters, but I wouldn't exactly say using electricity to run a power saw to build a new barn is not. Yet, there are some of those who will not use electricity.
I think today their faith is more one of tradition than of any meaningful value, but maybe thats just me. It would be like someone hyping living off the grid, but still going to town to shop for the latest manufactured goods at Wal-Mart.
I would have to agree here at least for some of them. The argument listed previously that they find some things as merely distractions of their faith seems a little absurd. For example, drinking alcohol may be a distraction from spiritual matters, but I wouldn't exactly say using electricity to run a power saw to build a new barn is not. Yet, there are some of those who will not use electricity.
I think today their faith is more one of tradition than of any meaningful value, but maybe thats just me. It would be like someone hyping living off the grid, but still going to town to shop for the latest manufactured goods at Wal-Mart.
reply to post by yeahright
Agree with you here yeahright...
If they (Amish) want to do or not do a certain thing ..its ok by me. I dont pass judgement on them for this. Not very "broad minded or tolerant" of some of the posters out here.
If they want to live thusly ..not use electricity or automobiles et al..no problem with me.
I also know that they are often confused with Mennonites who dress similar. The Mennonites use autos, electricity etc etc. Unless you are perceptive it can be difficult to tell them apart.
Nonetheless it is not my buisness how they decide to dress or carry on. I leave that to thier buisness and not mine. I try to be somewhat tolerant in this regard.
Also intresting to me that you know them decended from the Anabaptists of Midieval Europe. That too is of what I know. Several groups present today seem to be decended from Anabaptists and other groups who preceeding them...though this is not generally common knowlege.
Thanks for your post yeahright.
Orangetom
Post Script,
Speaking of tolerant. My religion says I will not be worshiping at the altar of television/sports gods on Superbowl Sunday. I will not be bowing down or prostrating myself among the zealots in this arena and worshiping before the gods of Sports.
Do I blaspheme here??
Will I be tolerated??? By broadminded peoples.??
[edit on 10-1-2008 by orangetom1999]
Agree with you here yeahright...
So I'd say the Amish and Mennonites are probably no more or less hypocritical than most of the rest of us.
If they (Amish) want to do or not do a certain thing ..its ok by me. I dont pass judgement on them for this. Not very "broad minded or tolerant" of some of the posters out here.
If they want to live thusly ..not use electricity or automobiles et al..no problem with me.
I also know that they are often confused with Mennonites who dress similar. The Mennonites use autos, electricity etc etc. Unless you are perceptive it can be difficult to tell them apart.
Nonetheless it is not my buisness how they decide to dress or carry on. I leave that to thier buisness and not mine. I try to be somewhat tolerant in this regard.
Also intresting to me that you know them decended from the Anabaptists of Midieval Europe. That too is of what I know. Several groups present today seem to be decended from Anabaptists and other groups who preceeding them...though this is not generally common knowlege.
Thanks for your post yeahright.
Orangetom
Post Script,
Speaking of tolerant. My religion says I will not be worshiping at the altar of television/sports gods on Superbowl Sunday. I will not be bowing down or prostrating myself among the zealots in this arena and worshiping before the gods of Sports.
Do I blaspheme here??
Will I be tolerated??? By broadminded peoples.??
[edit on 10-1-2008 by orangetom1999]
There are also German Baptists.
They are similar, except they use cars AND electricity.
My husband and I used to go to a local church. Exceptionally Beautiful!
THE most beautiful hymns.
WE were going to join, but my husband had been married as a teenager AND divorced.
I don't think the amish view electricity as evil, just distractive from simplicity in Jesus.
At YOUR home you have the option to be free from 'the grid' if you want to and it can make you smarter, too.
As a former pre-K teacher and church-goer, their children (the German Baptists)are VERY smart and WELL-Behaved!!!!
I've heard of an amish wife putting a pin through her disobedient child's tongue or something, but that's just wrong no matter who you are.
You can be religious and not love Jesus or God.
[edit on 10-1-2008 by Clearskies]
They are similar, except they use cars AND electricity.
My husband and I used to go to a local church. Exceptionally Beautiful!
THE most beautiful hymns.
WE were going to join, but my husband had been married as a teenager AND divorced.
I don't think the amish view electricity as evil, just distractive from simplicity in Jesus.
At YOUR home you have the option to be free from 'the grid' if you want to and it can make you smarter, too.
As a former pre-K teacher and church-goer, their children (the German Baptists)are VERY smart and WELL-Behaved!!!!
I've heard of an amish wife putting a pin through her disobedient child's tongue or something, but that's just wrong no matter who you are.
You can be religious and not love Jesus or God.
[edit on 10-1-2008 by Clearskies]
Are the Amish a bunch of hypocrites?
Yes.
And so is everyone else.
As others have posted, there are many flavors. I used to live where we had a lot of Mennonite neighbors. They were the best neighbors in the world, and our ranch made a larger profit every year because of them. If you had cattle out, they would round them up and fix your fence, without asking---just tell you afterwards that you had a weak spot in the fence. If they were going to the big city for tractor parts, they'd ask you what you needed, and even offer to buy it, then you buy it from them--at cost--when they brought it to you.
Basically, I understood that they only used technology that served a purpose. All of them had computers, but no TV's. Farm tax law is so complicated I cannot picture doing it without a computer. And they all email each other. But they don't watch TV, which they see as a waste of time, and they don't play video games.
They also all had huge walk-in freezers in their homes, and at least some electricity. But they dressed "plain," which obviously had a special meaning for them. You'd always find their women in Sam's or Walmart, picking up the specials.
In a ranching community, it was a little difficult to pick the men out: plaid shirt, suspenders, jeans and workboots. Basically a farmer's uniform. And I let my beard go back then. When you work outside, sunburns make shaving a form of torture.
As far as the women, hair up in a bonnet or bun, so out of the way. No make-up, but very clean and tidy. And serious workboots.
.
Yes.
And so is everyone else.
As others have posted, there are many flavors. I used to live where we had a lot of Mennonite neighbors. They were the best neighbors in the world, and our ranch made a larger profit every year because of them. If you had cattle out, they would round them up and fix your fence, without asking---just tell you afterwards that you had a weak spot in the fence. If they were going to the big city for tractor parts, they'd ask you what you needed, and even offer to buy it, then you buy it from them--at cost--when they brought it to you.
Basically, I understood that they only used technology that served a purpose. All of them had computers, but no TV's. Farm tax law is so complicated I cannot picture doing it without a computer. And they all email each other. But they don't watch TV, which they see as a waste of time, and they don't play video games.
They also all had huge walk-in freezers in their homes, and at least some electricity. But they dressed "plain," which obviously had a special meaning for them. You'd always find their women in Sam's or Walmart, picking up the specials.
In a ranching community, it was a little difficult to pick the men out: plaid shirt, suspenders, jeans and workboots. Basically a farmer's uniform. And I let my beard go back then. When you work outside, sunburns make shaving a form of torture.
As far as the women, hair up in a bonnet or bun, so out of the way. No make-up, but very clean and tidy. And serious workboots.
.
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