Amish: A silent timebomb

I live in northern Pennsylvania, just a few hours north of America's "Amish Country". I grew up in a small town in west central New York state. When I was very young, the first family of Amish moved in to the area, from Lancaster county PA. At the time, almost everyone in the entire area were happy to see the new diversity move in. Many thought the Amish lifestyle was one to envy and respect. Once or twice a day, you would see a horse and buggy come through town.

When I was 9 years old, my parents became friends with one Amish family that live in the next town. Both my parents worked full time. Some way, some how, they convinced this Amish family, to babysit me for 6 days a week, from noon until 6pm. After about 2 weeks of being babysat by them, the truth of their ways became suddenly clear. I witnessed the Amish mother, physically beat her kids whenever they would speak or act out of line. I mean beat them. She would use a stick, a hand carved paddle or her large wooden cooking spoon....to spank and/or hit them. Sometimes she hit them square in their backs with these items.

Unfortunately for me, I acted up one day while I was there. Her kids had been playing with one of those jumbo plastic baseball bats (some of you will remember those). I can't recall what I did, but I do recall the mother grabbing me around the shoulders from behind, and hitting the backs of my bare legs atleast 8 times with that damn bat. I was welted for days. Needless to say, that was my last time there. Nothing could be done about it, as the Amish seem to have this unwritten immunity from the Law. Their governing council forbids Police interaction. In fact, the only time the Amish are dealt with by Police or Courts, is if a murder has taken place.

Years later, as my teen years arrived....so did several more Amish families. In a 7 year span, our little "chunk" of the region saw the arrival of over 100 new Amish families. They built many sawmills, schools, furniture shops, farms and Amish Stores (to serve their people). Soon, the annoying sounds of horse hooves on the paved roads echoed in everyones ears constantly every day. And every 500 feet on the sides of the roads and town streets, saw collections of horse feces. Do they stop and clean up after their horses? No.

To add to all my experiences with these Amish people, is the simple fact of their lack of personal hygiene practices, that spreads viruses in many rural areas. In this coming age of Swine Flu and other viruses, the Amish act as carriers. They do not believe in using Purell, most disinfectants, or immunizations/vaccines of ANY kind. The clinic in the town where I grew up, sees an overwhelming influx of sickened people who are in direct contact with Amish, every winter.

Local school districts ALLOW the Amish children to ride the school buses, however, the buses drop them off at the AMISH schools. Most Amish in NY and PA, do NOT pay school taxes or several other state/federal mandated taxes. Amish have the right to deny ordered jury duty, simply because "its not in their belief".

Not only have I seen child abuse within several Amish families, I have also seen them forcing their little 3 year old children to sweat in the barns and fields, working like the adults and teenagers. They also practice INCEST. In numerous Amish families, they're teenage sons and daughters are expected to "breed" atleast once.

Amish will buy houses that the "English" have built, rip out the electric wires and plumbing, rendering these houses pretty much worthless by any future "non-Amish" people who wish to purchase them. Amish will also buy large tracts of forested land, strip it of its trees for money, and then abandon the land, moving on to a new area, to do the same there.

These are all facts, that I have witnessed in my life around these people. I am not the only one that knows of all this either.

So, I wonder, how are the Amish allowed to get away with all these things and more? Our government PROTECTS them, citing the Amish religion as its "excuse". Because of their religion, the Amish go unpunished, uninvestigated and continue to break OUR laws of OUR land that they destroy. If any person who is NOT Amish, tried to get away with ANY of the things they do....they would be locked up immediately.

I believe, regardless of their chosen religion, the Amish should have to live by our laws as we have to. They live in the US, so they should have to live as an American is expected to by law. They should have to pay all the same taxes we do, follow all same laws we do, and be just as vulnerable to prosecution by a court, as we all are.

No religion should be allowed to make its followers immune from the laws of the land on which they reside.




[edit on 7/25/2009 by MadDogtheHunter]

Well, we may not agree, which is why we are not Amish, however, you forgot to point out one little detail i noticed in my travels where there have been big families of them. Their kids behave. I dont care if there's 5 or 25 of them in a family, they surely behave. They have manners (at least on the surface) and they make awesome fireplaces.

Something must be right about them.

No child, Amish or not, should have to be beaten and welted just to make them behave. No, I'm not one of those who are against spanking kids. But I AM against blatent abuse.

My family spent a lot of time "within" the Amish "circle". I have seen things that would sicken people. I have seen things that the Police should be grabbing their handcuffs for.

If State/County officials can rip a kid away from one of us for making them do their chores...then by all means, the Amish should be subject to the same thing. Religious rights mean absolutely squat anymore. Why should the label "Amish" act as a law enforcement shield??

[edit on 7/25/2009 by MadDogtheHunter]

Nor am i.

But the fact of the matter is, children have to be disciplined or you will find yourself with monsters you created and then they will call 911 on you and make trouble for you and for sociey as a whole.

There is a line, i never crossed the line, but i kept my kids from being the monsters they could have turned out to be if i just looked at them and said "Stop." That never got me anywhere. A swat in the behind did get me some respect and my kids love me today.

And just because you came across this family, what makes you think they are all the same?

I'm not trying to argue this to death but i will just say discipline is necessary.

Their children look disciplined.

Thats it for me.

I just saw your edit. You know, its never too late to call the cops on that community, it may give you some peace.

[edit on 25-7-2009 by dgtempe]

This is more than just that one family. I had a very good friend growing up, whos family left the Amish community, because of the allowed abuse, forced incest, and many other things. I learned a lot from him also.

When I was about 11 years old, my family travelled with an Amish family, to the Lancater PA area for a large Amish gathering. By that time, I had learned some rough German. So I could make good sense of what was being said when these people would talk. We were allowed to have dinner with them and even stay in one of the houses over night for a few nights. My dad would go outside and walk around at night, for a smoke, and I would go with him. We heard a lot of disturbing things coming from a few of those dimly lit buildings.

Most of us don't think the Amish would be this way, but until you are given a glimpse inside the "clans", you never know just how disturbing and unlawful these people really are.

Wowz, I take your word for it. However if theres a lack of police involvement, ... it probably has to do with the Amish's little code of secrecy. The kids dont know any better, .... that life is all they know, as they will surely pass it on to the next generation. I dont understand how a society can exist in that fashion during this day and age.
But what I really dont understand is how they get away with not paying taxes, ..... it makes me want to start a religious sect, .... yet I wouldnt be as subtle as the Amish and name mine " [snip] The Government"

[edit on 25-7-2009 by IntastellaBurst]


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[edit on 27-7-2009 by mrwupy]

Originally posted by dgtempe


I just saw your edit. You know, its never too late to call the cops on that community, it may give you some peace.

[edit on 25-7-2009 by dgtempe]

I would, however, too many years have passed. NY has this nice little time limit on crimes like these. Since no one died, the statute of limitations plays its ugly hand.

reply to post by MadDogtheHunter


After reading your disturbing OP, I went hunting.

Found THIS at IMDB:

Trouble in Amish Paradise (2009) (TV)

It is a British Docu, just came out this February. I wonder if it details some of the horrors you talk about??

There is also the Harrison Ford movie Witness, from 1985. I've never seen it, not sure if it goes into detail on the Amish --- looks like it's more of a crime/courtroom/child witness drama...

Cool story bro.
Little biased perhaps.

I lived in PA for 4 years and dealt with the Amish a bit. I agree that they game the system and use it to their advantage. Some of that could be reigned in. I also agree that physical abuse is not necessary but to tell you the truth I remember much worse happening to'civilized' kids when I was growing up. I also know that todays society has a mass mindset that would rather allow a child grow up selfish, stupid and rude than to discipline them so they can grow up to have some pride manners and common sense.

The Amish are not perfect by any means but they are a lot better than the mindless self centered childlike behavior of many of the "English" as they call them.

I don't see the Amish wasting their money, discriminating against their own people in their communities, ripping off their neighbors through selfish legislation, wasting money and resources on every latest gadget and fad, placing criminals in public office year after year so they can get a piece of somebody elses pie, living off of somebody elses taxes, drooling in front of the idiot box for 3 to 5 hours a night, defending their childrens rights to be monsters and heathens in school and public, putting their elderly into institutions because they are an inconvenience, dressing like sluts and pipms because some fashion goon in New York city says to do so, chowing down on cellophane wrapped meat then screaming about animal rights, driving cars and using petroleum based products and then crying about the enviroment, paying celebrities millions and paying hard working people crap, taking huge mortgages out on big houses they don't need then walking away because they can't afford it, living in 10,000dollar trailers and owning 50,000 dollar toys, sitting on their butts getting fatter every day of their lives and then expecting free health care, teaching their children nothing about life then wondering why thier kids can't cope, giving their kids unlimited computer access and wondering why they cant do simple math or write a declarative sentence, ................man I could go on all day.

Maybe the Amish timebomb isn't such a terrible thing. When the world goes to hell in a handbasket at least we know your local Amish community will still have food, transportation and the wherewithal to have a life while most of the "English" will be staring at static on the boob tube and empty pantries.

[edit on 25-7-2009 by badgerprints]

I sometimes buy the Amish chicken at the stores near me because I don't like the ones they add solutions like chicken broth with MSG etc. in it. I had heard from a seventh day adventist that the amish milk shouldn't be trusted either. I'm glad I don't buy milk anyway. But it has crossed my mind there could be problems with the amish chicken and processing plants. It sure is confusing they would be running these plants without electricity etc. Maybe they only raise the chickens?

reply to post by badgerprints

Oh, I'm not saying that all of their ways are BS. Just the the things they do that "we" would be arrested for before we had time to blink. I don't condemn anyone for whatever religious view they choose to have. And I certainly don't condemn them for putting up a peaceful facade. What I protest, is the lies and false image that a large number of them are putting out to the public.

The abuse, incest, not paying taxes, refusing to do an American civil duty and breaking the laws of the country they live in...need to stop. We can't usually get away with all that, but they do on a daily basis. The thing is, most law enforcement officials are well aware of what they get away with, but are powerless to do anything about it. All because our government CHOOSES to turn a blind eye to the Amish community (until someone gets murdered).

Seems like you are a little bit traumatized and consequently judging the hell out of those that scared you. And now apparently they have become the reason for everything bad that happens with you or that you see at least.

Its just another culture and you have a hard time understanding it.
It doesn't mean that whatever they do is wrong, even if that means beating their kids. Its probably really good for them since its a long-time tradition that is still alive. (I study cultures and know about tons of wilder things that seem "wrong" at first glance, but for the people who do it its usually more then right).

I have and advice for you and this serves for everybody.
Whenever you see a problem, realize the problem is with you.

Originally posted by weedwhacker
reply to post by MadDogtheHunter

 

After reading your disturbing OP, I went hunting.

Found THIS at IMDB:

Trouble in Amish Paradise (2009) (TV)

It is a British Docu, just came out this February. I wonder if it details some of the horrors you talk about??

There is also the Harrison Ford movie Witness, from 1985. I've never seen it, not sure if it goes into detail on the Amish --- looks like it's more of a crime/courtroom/child witness drama...

That Harrison Ford movie is just an Amish themed cop story. It really does nothing to educate about the Amish ways. Although, it is a decent movie for that era.

reply to post by MadDogtheHunter



Oh, I don't disagree with you on most of what you are saying. I just see a lot worse out here in 'civilization'.

On turning 16 years of age , Amish teenagers are allowed experience the "english" world. This period of their life is known as "rumspringa" .



A very interesting documentary .

reply to post by Geladinhu

Scared me?? I'm 31 years old now, that was a long time ago. It didn't traumatize me at all. I just think its BS that a clan of people can get away with all this, without being held liable by the law. Most don't realize just how close the Amish community is to being a Cult. Very close. The only thing that keeps them from being what we call a Cult, is they claim to be old-world christians. Perhaps if they followed a different religion, people would then say "hey, they ain't right".

My advice to YOU, is spend a few months with some Amish families, get to know them, allow them to start to trust you...then you'll see. I speak from experience only, not bias. As I stated in an earlier post, I had/have a good friend who used to be Amish...until his family got smart and left the clan.

Are you at war with the Mennonites too? btw, "Witness" is a pretty good flick

reply to post by MadDogtheHunter


I lived in PA years ago. Being "beaten by a spoon"? You got to be kidding - you are not seriously calling that child abuse, are you? If you are, I wonder what your police record looks like. Drinking, smoking weed, extra-marital sex (of all kinds) - yes these 'behaviors' are viewed as "normal" and the Amish are seen as "abnormal" - I think the "aby normal" (as Igor said in Frankenstein) are the ones that have it right and the "normal" hedonists are the trully twisted.

reply to post by MadDogtheHunter


You said you wanted to go to the police after they beat you.
You also made it seem that after that event you never again had a friendly-encounter with Amish people. Seems like you were and are definitely traumatized and afraid.

Also, your age just backs up my theory that you are traumatized.
If it happened so long ago why do you still have it mind?

Who the hell cares about cults? Let them have their fun.

So you think their religion is protecting them but other religions would not protect them? I sincerely do not understand your reason.

You want something to bitch about? WHAT ABOUT YOUR GOVERNMENT?
Why don't you start thinking about how your life is screwed up because of people like yourself instead of thinking your life is screwed up because of different people?

So your friend and his family "got smart"? Or did they become greedy and fell into the capitalist dream?

Man, this is getting kind of awkward...



[edit on 25-7-2009 by Geladinhu]

[edit on 25-7-2009 by Geladinhu]