AMISH LIFE

HISTORY AND RELIGION

Europe in sixteen century has been changing Europe in sixteen century has been changing. The most common protestant group was the Anabapts which in the future began to be Amish. The Amish emerged in 1693 in present-day France. Their leader was Jacob Ammann.

In the early eighteenth century Amish were tired of constant persecution and economic hardship, so many of them migrated to the United States. Some Amish families moved also to: Germany, Poland, Russia.

Here's a list of the states and province where the Amish live, by order of greatest to lowest population: Ohio Pennsylvania Indiana Wisconsin Michigan Missouri New York Kentucky Iowa Illinois Ontario (Canada) Minnesota  Tennessee  Delaware Kansas Maryland Oklahoma Montana Virginia Florida North Carolina Texas Washington West Virginia Mississippi 

Currently there are 3 groups of Amish: The Old Order Amish, The Beachy Amish, The New Order Amish.

Amish religion is based upon the basic tenets of early Christianity and a desire to be faithful to God. They believe that the Bible is the Word of God and that the Church is the body of Christ fulfilling God's purposes on earth.

Key Religious Beliefs

Amish beliefs emphasize the importance of humility, obedience, and simplicity, Christians should never use violence or force, religion is a way of life and not merely ornamental, helping a neighbor in need

The Anabaptists, as well as the Mennonites and Amish, believe the use of religious icons are a form of idolatry and that formal rituals are merely a distraction from true worship. To them, genuine worship can be found in community action.

Anabapt meant rebaptizers. They believed that someone can sin only if that person understands what's wrong and what's bad. Because infants don’t know if they are innocent, they don’t need baptism to remove a sin. Only adults could have baptism as they are matured enough to know that they actually need it.

Both the Mennonites and the Amish believe that: adult men and women must seek atonement through Jesus Christ. children remain in the kingdom of God until they become adults at which point they are capable of freely choosing or rejecting salvation through the grace of faith.

AMISH EDUCATION

Most Amish children attended public schools before 1950 Most Amish children attended public schools before 1950. Indeed, some Amish fathers served as directors of rural public schools. The Amish were comfortable with small rural schools that were controlled by local parents.

Today a few Amish children in some states still attend rural public schools, but the vast majority goes to one- or two-room schools that are operated by Amish parents.

reading, arithmetic, spelling, grammar, penmanship, history, A scripture reading and prayer opens each school day, but religion is not formally taught in the school. The curriculum includes: reading, arithmetic, spelling, grammar, penmanship, history, geography, English and German.

The ethos of the classroom accents conspirant activity, obedience, respect, diligence, kindness, and the natural world.

Schools play an important role in passing on Amish values, developing friendships, limiting exposure to the outside world, and preserving Amish culture across the generations.

LIFESTYLE

The family is the most important social unit in the Amish culture The family is the most important social unit in the Amish culture. Large families with seven to ten children are common.

The Amish are averse to any technology which they feel weakens the family structure. The conveniences that the rest of us take for granted such as electricity, television, automobiles, telephones and tractors are considered to be a temptation that could cause vanity, create inequality, or lead the Amish away from their close-knit community.

It is also not unusual to see Amish using such 20th-century technologies as rollerblades or gas barbecue grills, because they are not prohibited by the Ordnung. Technology is generally where you will see the greatest differences between Amish orders.

Old Order Amish have little use for modern technology, but are allowed to ride in motorized vehicles including planes and automobiles, but they mustn’t own them.

The New Order Amish permit the use of electricity, ownership of automobiles, modern farming machines, and telephones in houses.

RUMSPRINGA Traditionally, the Amish family is tightly bound, and obeys religious rules, such as forgoing the use of electricity, cell phones, and cars, and wearing modest clothes at all times. During the period of rumspringa, however, young people are excused from all of the traditional behaviors and rules of the Amish community.

When Amish children turn 16, the rules change When Amish children turn 16, the rules change. They're encouraged to experiment and explore. The idea is that teens will come back to the church after tasting the modern world. For the young Amish rumspringa, is all about sex, parties and fast cars.

If an Amish teenager is baptized and then leaves the community, he will be shunned. His family and community will refuse to speak to him or associate with him ever again.

SOME BOOKS ABOUT RUMSPRINGA AND AMISH LIFE

“To be or not to be Amish”

“Living without electricity”

“Growing up Amish:the teenage years”

Musical: Rumspringa the Musical

CLOTHING

The Amish wear plain and simple clothing The Amish wear plain and simple clothing. Women and girls wear ready-made and custom-sewn modest dresses, modest dress patterns, capes, aprons, pinafores, jumpers, skirts, blouses, nightgowns and modest swimwear. Married women wear white bonnets and single women wear black bonnets. They can’t cut their hair.

Boys and men vests, shirts, pants, broadfall pants, overalls, jackets, hats, pajamas. Married men have got beard and they shave mustache. Singles haven’t got beard.

Their head coverings are prayer shawls, doilies, kerchiefs, headbands, bonnets, snoods, veils and cauls Infants wear dresses, bloomers, slips, bibs, blankets, bonnets, leggings

Seamstresses and tailors are people who are skilled at sewing the kind of clothing they wear

The Amish in Poland 41

The Martins have lived in Poland since 1993 The Martins have lived in Poland since 1993. They live in a brich forest outside of Warsaw. Their home is very basic, but really cosy.

Anita and Jacob have seven children Anita and Jacob have seven children. The first two children have traditional, biblical names-Ruben and Joshua. The others have typical Polish names like: Ilona, Zosia, Waldek and Krzyś. 43

The Martins differ from other Amish families in some respect The Martins differ from other Amish families in some respect. They among others use electricity. They’ve got fridge, washing machine, mobile phone and car. 44

TRANSPORT

BUGGY TRAVEL   The buggy is the standard form of travel, and both regulates and symbolizes Amish life

AUTOMOBILE TRAVEL Automobile - most Amish permit riding as a passenger in a car or bus, but not driving

BICYCLES AND SCOOTERS Bicycles and scooters are used by Amish, depending on the community.

ROLLERBLADES Rollerblades and skates are used as a form of recreation and short-distance travel.

TRAIN TRAVEL Amish travel by train on occasion.  In some cases Amish journey far distances by train, for example to Mexico or Canada

AIR TRAVEL All Amish forbid travel by air.  Flying is seen as worldly, symbolic of luxury, and unnecessary. Most New Order Amish permit travel by plane for business or other purposes. 

TRAVEL BY WATER Amish forefathers originally arrived in North America in the 1700s by ship. Today Amish do not prohibit travel by water. Travel by water is most often a form of recreation for Amish.