Amish Country

 The Amish represent one of the many diverse groups of people whose beliefs caused them to reform and split off from an existing religion.  In this way they join the Pilgrims, the Puritans, Quakers, Mennonites and others who established themselves in the colonies in pre-Revolutionary War America. This is one way you could incorporate the learning of today’s trip into the classroom—by comparing the beliefs of these groups as well as looking at the broader picture of what made the colonies an ideal place for living if you were a reformist in the 17^th or early 18^th century.

 

Here is what I learned about the Amish.  They are Anababtists which means they believe in voluntary (adult) baptism.  They were first part of the Mennonite reform and later formed their own group under the leadership of Joseph Aman because they believed the Mennonites had become too lax. The Amish believe in following the teachings of Christ in all of their daily actions and part of this has to do with simplicity—excluding telephones, radios, televisions, automobiles, public utility electricity and fancy clothing from their lives. They also believe in service, community and unity with much of the structure of their lives focusing on helping and building bonds with others. They are also pacifists, but as stated in their informational film, this is a belief in “peace”(with a capital P) more than “not going to war.” 

 

Much of the above I already knew, but a few myths were also dispelled.  First, I thought the Amish lived in a closed community with very little interaction with the rest of the world.  I also did not know they would ride in cars even though they do not own or drive them and I did not realize the extent to which they have access to and use modern conveniences.  A more accurate way of describing their life style would be using alternative methods for powering machines rather than giving up on them together.  An example of this would be a horse drawn lawnmower which resembles in everyway a regular lawnmower except for the way it is moved.Our guide, Ada Fisher, also added some information about ways in which the Amish have and are changing.  She, herself, is an Amish/Mennonite who formed their own community because they disagreed with the severity of the practice of shunning.  When asked what she felt was the biggest change in the Amish community in the past several years, her reply was the increase in the number of taxi services that have sprung up just for the transportation of Amish from one place to the other.  This tells me that while the Amish will not bend their own belief about driving cars, they are becoming more and more comfortable with technology and conveniences it offers. The topic of change is another broad historical theme that can be explored in the classroom as it relates to the Amish people in the 21^st century.

 

There are many other interesting things about our visit to the Amish country.  A couple of quick footnotes are that the Amish believe in an “articulation by life” rather than by “word” meaning they choose to live by example and not by having to explain their faith to others.  I also learned that they are constantly balancing the two extremes of perfection and humility, and finally that you can look at them both culturally and religiously. The main religious difference, Ada cleared up for me, is not one of doctrine, but rather of practice.  This can be said of many of the protestant faiths as well.  Overall the day both informed and expanded my knowledge of this unique group of Americans.

 

This last picture was taken at the Allgyer’s Farm where we enjoyed an Amish meal.  Our guide Ada Fisher is on the porch with other 591 students. Amish houses are interspersed throughout the community, but can be told apart by the green shades.  The garden and surroundings of this home were beautiful and we enjoyed some after dinner singing by the family which is a part of their daily practice.