Who are the Amish?

[Edwina's Secretary]

PCB...I have always been fascinated by the Amish. As a little girl I had many books about them. They are not only in Pennsylvania but also in Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and Ohio. They shun modern ways. If you ever travel to areas where there are lots of Amish you will see beautiful farms....so neat and tidy with flowers at the end of every row. No electricity and old-fashioned clothes hanging on the line. They travel by buggy or bicycle. They often have stores selling homemade delicious foods and quilts. There are patterns of quilts that are distinctly Amish.

They are a Christian sect. They are a very peaceful group. They believe everything is God's will and therefore forgiveness is always given. Already they speak of forgiveness of this monster.

They speak a dialect that has German roots. Mennonites are an offshot of the Amish. They do not like photographs taken of their people.

There is sometimes friction between the Amish and what they call "the English" because of the differences. They are also having some genetic problems because of the limited number from which to choose a spouse.

Here's a webiste with more about them.... Amish

[JenBKR]

I have also always been fascinated by the Amish and their ways, since they are so different than the modern way of life. I think that some of them are Quakers, but not positive about that. There are lots in PA, but not so much on my side of the state (I live closer to Pittsburgh).

[sasvermont]

The links to the Amish information is timely. Thank you.

[Alysser]

I_luv_Rusty explained it pretty well. They don't use cars but instead have horses and buggies. They never use the computer, TV, cars, lights, modern tiolets, video games, anything. They are very relegious people and go to church every Sunday. Amish people don't wear modern clothes either, instead old time. They are into family life ALOT and live much like we used to in the 1800's.

[sasvermont]

They due use other forms of power. Not electricity. Many of them have computers if they need them for work. They heat with wood and use candles for lights. Oh, and did you know that they do watch TV, they just cannot own one. They do ride in cars, just don't own one. They do what they need to do to earn livings and survive. If it means having someone pick them up for a drive to the worksite, then fine.

[critter crazy]

There are many Amish around our area, I love to see their horse and buggies around. Sometimes I wish we still lived like them. My Saddebred Mare, used to be an Amish Cart horse. They live a very simple life, and they always help eachother out. They have huge families, and go out of their way for them.

[Corinna]

Many of them are moving here to Montana as the hutterites (simular) can drive cars and in some Amish colonies they csn ride just not drive . So they have a co-op type arrange ment. It also alows them to inter marry to get some fresh blood in the gene pool.

[wolflady]

Everyone has already done a good job explaining about the Amish, so I thought I'd add an anecdote. There is a town in Indiana called Nappanee that is essentially an Amish Town.
My parents and I were in an old car club (Model 'A' club - cars from the late 1920's early 1930's) that would go on tours as a group, and one of those tours took us to Nappanee for some of the best food I ever had! It was at a large Amish farmstead, where an Amish family fixed us food. Totally neat experience and everyone was so nice. It was cool to eat by only the light of candles and be in a place with no modern facilities such as electricity and running water.

I'm not sure if this same family does this today, but I do know there is a resort in Nappanee called 'Amish Acres' that has an inn on the grounds of a historic farm.

[mugsy]

Shipshewana, IN is also almost all Amish...

We have a lot of Amish on the eastern side of our county in IN and they are in the county directly south of us and then of course in LaGrange, and Elkhart Co, IN. They live in other counties, but those are the heaviest populated.

The Menonites are a much more liberal group than the Amish, but, are still much more conservative....like for instance some sects can only drive black cars and the women wear the white bonnets.

[smokey the elder]

It's interesting you selected religioustolerance.org as a source. I checked that out after finding it on Google. I didn't realize how many "flavors" of Amish there were. I am concerned for their future because of the limited size of the community. The Lancaster County Amish came from 200 original settlers.

There is much to admire and ponder. There is also much that I disagree with, being the rabid feminist liberal pagan I am!

[Jadapit]

The Menonites are a much more liberal group than the Amish, but, are still much more conservative....like for instance some sects can only drive black cars and the women wear the white bonnets.

The Mennonite women here do wear the white bonnets. Also, they wear long dress everyday. I have never seen any of the ladies in pants. We have a lot of Mennonite neighbors. They have boughten as much land and houses as they can right beside one another...

[Pam]

What an interesting account Debbie. As Lancaster, PA is about 90 mins. from me we have gone there often. This is also an area that has an abundance of Outlet Stores for those of us who live material lives that I am sure they can't even imagine. The only thing I could think to add is in regarding their dress. They do not use buttons on their clothing, although I don't know why. The area away from the Outlets is just beautiful rolling farmland and their farms are meticulously kept.

[sasvermont]

The Amish areas always look so tidy and homey. Their lives are different. They are not big on baths. They wash, just not as often as we do. Since they don't have "running water" like most of us do, the bath is done differently and not so often!

I had dated an oral surgeon years ago and he had done research on the Amish community and clef palates/hair lips. It was interesting. They also have a high rate on retardation in their community. Well, I am not an authority on this topic so I am going to stop.

I think the Web site Sarah left for us will be useful to all.

Thanks again Sarah.

[dab_20]

I have known about the Amish since I was around 8. One time I saw a whole group of Amish people walk onto a bus I was on. They rarely use this kind of transportation, so I was wondering why they were on the bus. My uncle and I talked to them for awhile, mostly asking about there lifestyle and they were very nice and happy to tell us about it. People like us rarely are welcomed into their community, simply because of that very reason. They are trying to avoid violence at all costs. It's really sad and awful what happened to them.

[animal_rescue]

I think we have Amish people living about 45 min away from me(In Indiana). There's this place called Amish Acres and you can go and see what Amish life is like there. It's really cool, I love visiting. Plus they have FANTASTIC food!