The Amish Life

The Amish communities are seen to be different or outcast than the usual American way. Amish choose to live their lives differently and regulate their community according to their interpretations of their Bible. From they way they dress, the horse and buggies, not using electricity or technology, they way they interact or communicate with family, or how gender role partake in their routines. Amish have different ways of living right here in America without the things we use everyday. Though many districts or Churches stay true to what they believe is living by their laws, many districts have adopted new technologies or loosened restrictions.

There are many rules and regulations for the Amish, like no jewelry, driving motored vehicle, mirrors in the home as well as pictures, or marrying non-Amish. Each church can change to fit their cultural needs. Those that are Amish don't all consider each other part of their district since each one has their own rules and regulations, but those who share beliefs are considered to be in fellowship with each other. Breaking the rules in an Amish community isn't going in front of a judge and being punished instead most are making a public confession of the rule that was broken, some rules can cause someone to be shun, treated as an outcast, as a last resort. Before being shun a person much eat meals separate from the table with friends and family for six weeks and admit guilty if the person does not admit guilty then will be shun. Some Pennsylvania Amish district members are allowed to own cars, cut men's hair shorter, and use farming equipment.

Though the Amish may be punished under our laws if it is broken they have their own set of rules and regulations called the ordnung. They will not appear in court themselves but has representatives in their place. Each district of Amish has its own church and the church has its own ordnung. This is the book of rules and regulations that governs everyday Amish. The ordnung not only covers everything in the life of an Amish person but it is also important for the growth of the community, it is what sets them apart from the rest of the societies It sets the rules for the district, like stay living without electricity and no telephones in the homes, though people may use pay phones. They are not against telephones but if the convenience, if it was available in homes people would not hitch their horse to a buggy and go down the road and visit in person. Amish take resting on the Sabbath serious; there is no cooking, frying, baking, roasting, or other unnecessary chore to be done on this day. Feeding the animals is the only chore that can be done on Sunday. There are no actual churches in the Amish communities, service is held at homes. Which indicates there must be enough room for at least seventy-five people in one's home. Church is held every other Sunday; the alternating Sunday is for visiting friends and relatives. "Church wagons hold all the humnbooks, benches, dishes, silverware, and anything else that would be needed for a church service." (Bail, 1993)

Unlike our society where women can be ministers and preach to a church, only man are bishops, ministers, and deacons of the church. Before an Amish child is baptized, they are allowed what is called "running around time," between the ages of 16 and 24 the person is allowed to experiment worldly practices. After this is over the person decides whether or not to be baptized in the church, if chooses not to the person must leave the community but is not shunned because no vows to the church have been broke. An Amish family isn't depended on each other for survival or necessarily brought together by marriage. Marriage can bring families closer by the honeymoon, for a couples honeymoon they visit relatives and at this time the host give the newlyweds gifts to furnish their home. Its isn't dependency for one another but commitment to the vow of the church they took that keeps Amish present today. Divorce is prohibited and those who do remarry are widows beyond childbearing years. Religion is what the Amish live by and take it very serious.

There are many things Amish do for fun together. Amish don't go to the parties, the movies, or concerts but enjoy simple things like visiting with friends, family, quilting and much more. Quilting is something every woman does in the Amish communities, the women get together at each other's homes and work on them together and chat. Quilting and furniture making is made more appealing to non-Amish customers in hopes of selling them. Since there are no telephones to pick up and talk with distant family, there are circle letters. Children spend most of their time outside playing on the farms with hayrides or pony rides and with other children. Circle letters are the Amish way of a support system, it is a way of venting and each person who receives the letter adds another. Another activity the Amish enjoy is farm auctions. At the auctions those whore are retiring from farming or moving will sell their supplies and/or animals. This is a way of recycling household goods as well. Amish communities have large families, having many kids helps with the chore loads, and this populates the Amish communities. Parents see children as future members of the church so they try to keep the temptations of leaving the Amish life for non-Amish ways. When there is downtime, Amish families constantly visit friends and family this keeps them in contact with everyone in their district, allows for trading, and the help of others when it is needed. Holidays like many other cultures gives the Amish time to visit family and friends but those don't include worldly customs like decorations, and Santa Claus. "Amish view these traditions as extravagant and unnecessary." (Wagner,2001