Courtesy, manners and tradition

[pomtzu]

You're confusing the Old Order Amish with the Mennonites.


http://www.thirdway.com/menno/FAQ.asp?F_ID=3

Today some practices among the Amish include: untrimmed beards and hooks and eyes in place of buttons on outer garments of the men; horse and buggy transportation; horse-drawn implements for farming; plain and distinctive dress patterns; no electricity in homes.

However, most Mennonites today are not outwardly that different from any person you meet on the street. Mennonites believe in simple living, but express that simplicity in a spirit of stewardship and awareness of the needs of others rather than completely separating from society as the Amish continue to do.



http://www.800padutch.com/amish.shtml

Today there are over 25 different Amish, Mennonite, and Brethren church groups in Lancaster County. The more traditional groups are called 'old order'. They do not permit electricity or telephones in their homes. By restricting access to television, radio, and telephones, the Amish are better able to keep the modern world from intruding into their home life.

These traditional groups wear plain clothing styles, which has earned them the name "Plain People". It is the simple, peaceful lifestyle of these plain people that attracts such a curiosity today. Many wonder how these people can survive in their supposedly backward ways. Well, they're not only surviving - they're thriving. Since 1960, the Amish population in Lancaster County has almost tripled.

The Amish have a strong sense of community spirit, and often come to the aid of those in need. Their barn raisings are a good example. Neighbors freely give of their time and their skills to help one another.

With our society's current interest in restoring 'family values', much can be learned from studying the Amish way of life. Their devotion to family and community and their strong work ethic are good examples for our larger society.


The old order Amish are living proof that change in a society is not a necessity to survial and not always a desireable thing.

No - I know there is a difference.

I live just a few miles from several Amish communities, and as I said - SOME have taken on a few of the more modern ways.
Most of them here are farmers, but with land being at a premium, and them not being able to expand, many have gone into the furniture and construction business. An Amish family owned the construction business that build my garage a couple of years ago, and they used power tools and also used cell phones - however they were driven here by a non-Amish driver. I was talking to one of the gentlemen, and he said he just recently had electric run to his house.
We also have Mennonites in the area, but they drive, don't adhere to the old way of dress, and look pretty much like the ordinary guy on the street. The only different thing about the dress is that the women wear the little white caps on their head.

[Medusa]

No - I know there is a difference.

I live just a few miles from several Amish communities, and as I said - SOME have taken on a few of the more modern ways.
Most of them here are farmers, but with land being at a premium, and them not being able to expand, many have gone into the furniture and construction business. An Amish family owned the construction business that build my garage a couple of years ago, and they used power tools and also used cell phones - however they were driven here by a non-Amish driver. I was talking to one of the gentlemen, and he said he just recently had electric run to his house.
We also have Mennonites in the area, but they drive, don't adhere to the old way of dress, and look pretty much like the ordinary guy on the street. The only different thing about the dress is that the women wear the little white caps on their head.

The Amish that I know are quite well-to-do. They own/ed much of the surrounding land in their community and their homes are quite beautiful and modern w/the exception of electricity. Like your friends, they use power tools to build the furniture for their furniture business, they borrow cell phones, ride in cars and trucks and sometimes even borrow them and they use computers. Why they don't just give in and buy their own modern conveniences is beyond me; one of those 'gray areas', I guess.

[Catlady711]

If an Amish is friends with a non-Amish then they are not traditional 'Old Order' because those do not commonly associate, nor befriend non Amish folks.

If, in fact, the true traditional Old Order Amish ever do change to that extent then they are doomed to the same deterioration of society and values that our society is and there will be no hope left for them.

Then they could enjoy the 'privileges' our society does by having crime, drugs, lack of community, rebellion, murder, indifference, violence; all in exchange for electricity, internet, tv, movies, cell phones and everyone doing their own 'thing'.

Barn raisings? Nope sorry, we just don't feel like helping you we have our own problems to deal with.

That would be a very sad day indeed.

Personally I think total separation from the modern stuff isn't a bad idea at all, and go back to a sense of community that no longer exists for the majority of Americans anymore.

There's a reason when I go camping I still use a tent, and deliberatly choose completely rustic campsites who's only ammenities are a hand pump for water and a covered outhouse. I like it that way and honestly hate to come back home to the 'convienences' and stress that comes with our 'modern' living.

[pomtzu]

I don't believe they make friends outside of their own society, but they do have to partner at times with non-Amish out of necessity, just as the ones that built my garage - they needed transportation for their construction supplies, and to get to and from here to do the actual construction.

When I bought this parcel of land almost 40 years ago - it was old farm land that had been divided in parcels for sale. Rudy Byler was the old Amish man who drove the well, and he actually used a divining rod to find the best spot. And I had always thought that was a bunch of bunk!

[Medusa]

Perhaps as a general rule they don't make friends outside of their community but the Amish that I know do. They hunt together w/the "English", as they call them, and some of them even stayed for a week's visit in my friend's home. The women don't socialize much but the men sure do. The very first time I met them, they took me to target practice. There I was in the woods w/my boyfriend and several Amish guys. I was the only woman. Afterwards, they came to my boyfriend's camper and spent the evening w/us.