Amish / The Plain People.
Amish society and culture originates from Switzerland around the middle of the 1500’s.
They were founded by Jakob Amman who was a Mennonite Elder. He formed the new group in order to practice the old Mennonite beliefs which were based around the teachings of Menno Simons, who was the founder of the Mennonites.
During their early years the European communities of the Amish began to be abused and murdered due to some of their beliefs being illegal in many countries. (Such as the practice of Baptism at 18).
As a result various things happened within the Amish community. Some were aided by William Penn in moving to a new home in the Americas, others were killed off and the rest reverted back to the Mennonite religion. This then caused the extinction of the European Amish Society.
Today though the Amish communities which moved to the Americas survives and continues to practice their old traditional distinct lifestyles and beliefs.
There are many communities of Amish in America and Canada, however they do have slight differences in their views. The main groups of these are: The Old Order Amish, The New Order Amish, The Swartzengruber Amish, and the Andy Weaver Amish.
The Amish society practices Meidung (Separation from Society) and Ordnung which regulates private, public and ceremonial life within the community. These traditions are oral ones which seem to be passed down.
Some of the beliefs they have are: Obedience to the Bible and Church, Peace, Non-Violence, and that the Bible is the inspired word of God. In fact these peace loving people will not even judge outsiders to their religion.
They do though have some ideas which seem very strange to the outside world, but are based purely around their traditions and beliefs. These are things such as not owning cars or using electricity.
However, it should be noted that these ideas are based on their theology and should not be laughed at or judged as they themselves do not judge us for using these ourselves.
Even though there are many Amish communities across America and Canada the main area for their societies is in Pennsylvania which houses about 80% of their population.
Compiled by Robert Worrall
September 2007
Sources:
The World’s Religions – Understanding the Living Faiths
Consultant Editor Dr. Peter B. Clarke. – 1994 – Readers Digest.The National Committee for Amish Religious Freedom
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