The Amish Research Paper

I would like to do my research paper on the Amish, a culture that is very simple and basic in so many ways. They have very strict way of life that I will go into detail about such as they religious belief, education, agriculture and transportation. The Amish are referred to as the plain people because of the way they live or just by driving a horse and buggy. I will take you into a journey of another culture that has values and beliefs that I had the honor of visiting.

They began arriving in the United States in 1700's, settling in Pennsylvania as part of William Penn's "Holy Experiment". The conservatives then became known as the Old Order Amish. This order tried to control cultural and technological influences from the larger society. They believe that the church, guided by the Bible, is responsible to institute guidelines for how its members act in all areas of life (Hunter, Kershner, & Starbuck, 2005).

There are approximately 150,000 Amish nationwide and communities in twenty-eight states. The population grew 86% to 231,000 in 2008 from 125, 000 in 1992, or 4% a year and will continue to grow because of the belief of endogamy. The Amish are unique and want no part of the values that persist in the modern culture about them. They love to be known as peculiar sects or plain people who live in isolation from the mainstreams of the secular society.

The Amish are Anabaptist: they believe in God and Christ as their savior. The Amish have small group congregation with services held in a person's home or barn. The church board consists of Deacons, Ministries and Bishops. At a time when some other ethnic and religious groups fear dilution through mixed marriages, the Amish have boosted their numbers by insisting on marriage within the group and providing education at Amish- only schools (Hurdle, 2008).

Because of their religious beliefs, Amish try to separate themselves from "outsiders," in an effort to avoid temptations and sin. They choose, instead, to rely on themselves and the other members of their local Amish community. Because of this self-reliance, Amish don't draw Social Security or accept other forms of government assistance. Their avoidance of violence in all forms means they also don't serve in the military. The Amish practice adult baptism, rather than infant baptism, believing that only adults can make informed decisions about their own salvation and commitment to the church. Prior to baptism, Amish teenagers are encouraged to sample life in the outside world, in a period referred to as rumspringa, Pennsylvania Deutsch for "running around." (Powell)

The husband and wife become one flesh in marriage, just like any other marriage. Marriages are typically endogamous with respect to church affiliation as well. That is, parents not only want their children to remain Amish but to stay Amish in their own affiliation.