Amish
Who are the
Amish?
The word
"Amish" comes from the name of the man who formed the sect Jakob
Ammann. Ammann, an Anabaptist
leader, preached a more conservative religious observance and broke with the
Anabaptists in 1693. Members
of the Amish sect migrated to Pennsylvania in the 1700s and 1800s.
Today's Amish are
recognizable through their conservative dress and simple lifestyle. Most
Amish are farmers or are involved in the agricultural industry.
Although these
communities originated in Europe, they can no longer be found there. The last
congregation dissolved in 1937. Thriving
Amish communities can be found in throughout North America. Seventy percent of
the Amish live in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana. The remaining members
reside in 20 other states and Ontario, Canada.
In
some cases it is difficult to distinguish Old Order Mennonites from the
Amish. Both groups live simple lifestyles, shy away from modernization and
tend to live in agricultural communities. Amish can be
distinguished from Mennonite as follows. The
Amish hold religious meeting in the homes of church members on every other
Sunday. Mennonites hold weekly
services in a separate church building. Amish
will not have or use electricity, telephones, televisions in their homes.
The two sects may be distinguishable by clothing style, but this varies
according to the norms of the local congregations.
What is the
Ordnung?
The Ordnung is the rule
that governs the social order of Amish society. The rule represents the
consensus of the church leaders and is endorsed by all members of the
congregation. It is reviewed semiannually and is general unwritten and
transmitted orally.
There are two types of
regulations in the Ordnung: the older rules and contemporary ones. The
older rules govern basic principles of separation, social avoidance and
apostasy, and nonresistance. The contemporary rules guide members on the application of the
older rules.
The Ordnung will vary from
congregation to congregation. The most universal Amish norms
include: forbidding usage of
electricity, telephones, central heating, automobiles, and tractors with
pneumatic tires; and forbidding education beyond the elementary grades. Personal
habits and dress are covered as well including the requirement of beards for
married men, and hooks and eyes for dress clothing.
Separation
The Amish exist as subculture of society through strict rules of separation. This separation is more psychological and social rather
than geographic. The goal of separation is to aimed at the preservation of
their religious beliefs. The Amish community serves as a place of shelter
from worldly pursuits and evils.
The practice of separation also affects the Amish's relationship
with the government. The Amish refuse to participate in social security or
any federal, state or local government social program that undermines their
self-sufficiency. Their way of life mandates that they take care of the members of their own
community.
The Amish norms mandate they solve problems internally. They do not use the
court system. They do vote, but they will not run for public office.
Shunning or Social Avoidance
The community follows the
Ordnang to maintain social order. When violations are made against this order, a
community elder will discuss the problematic situation with the member. After
repeated offences and warnings the ultimate penalty of social avoidance or
shunning may be mandated. A members can be accepted
back into the community by acknowledging their offense, and amending their
behavior.
The Amish community is a
close-knit community. In a community most families are related to one another
through marriage. For this reason social avoidance is an extreme measure and
causes much hardships on the entire community.
Nonresistance
The Amish are recognized as people of peace. Their way of life forbids them
from taking part in war and other violent activities. During war
time they are conscientious objectors.
More information
Web Sites and articles on the Amish
By
References
-
Hostetler, John A. Amish Society 4th ed. John
Hopkins University, 1993.
Main Collection: E184 M45 H63 1993
-
Kraybill, Donald B. and Carl F. Bowman On the backroad to heaven
John Hopkins University, 2001.
Main Collection: BX8129 H8K73 2001
Updated: 3-3-2006
Copyright 2006 - Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
|
