Summary:
In the mid the seventeenth century, the Amish movement was founded in Europe at the time of the Protestant Reformation. They are derived from a group impatient with the pace of reform in the existing churches.
In the mid the seventeenth century, the Amish movement was founded in Europe at the time of the Protestant Reformation. They are derived from a group impatient with the pace of reform in the existing churches. One of the main issues is baptism. A group of Anabaptists practise adult baptism. Religion is the basis of Amish life. They believe they must obey God at all times.
To the Amish family, life is highly valued. Like other aspects of Amish life, it conforms to traditional attitudes and values. Courtship to the Amish is usually secretive, and the couples' intention to wed must only be publicly announced 2 weeks before the wedding. Amish weddings usually occur on a Tuesday or Thursday to fit in time with the farming season, and the ceremony in the brides' home must only last four hours. Children also have a major involvement in family life. School ends at year 8. After year 8, children have to work around the home, farm or family business. The Amish people have no major concept of leaving home for further education or other employment opportunities. Amish people traditionally get up early in the morning with the sun. There is also very limited time for Amish children to do much more than their assigned family duties and homework. Unmarried women are allowed to work outside their home, but it is an expectation that married women work only within the family home. Older males also have a responsibility of educating young boys about farming, working with wood and leather. Amish families combine many elements of single and extended family units. Living in these types of communities allows the concept of family to have a larger importance in Amish family life. Older people are also highly respected in Amish society. Uncles, aunts, cousins and older siblings could all be expected to live close together and provide support for the family.
Roles in the Amish community are largely based on gender. Males are the leaders within the Amish community. Life is based on religion. The church is responsible for enforcing rules, conducting ceremonies like burials or baptisms. Adolescence is also a very important time for the Amish. It is a very important time as it is the last times of youthful freedom and the time before their adult baptism. Even though parents know their children are dating, it is rarely talked or encouraged at home. Amish communities allow adolescents to experience the world of non Amish. As a result there have been several court cases over the last few years where Amish youth have been convicted of drug distribution among Amish communities.
Amish society is based on co-operation among people. By accepting the orodung, the Amish establish a set of Amish values that are adopted willingly. The highest authority is God, and in the community the bishops, ministers and deacons are the interpreters of that ultimate authority. Taking responsibility for you is also another quality that is highly valued by the Amish. Another high quality that is respected is barn raising. The entire community cooperates to erect a barn on the property of an Amish member.
The women prepare a community meal for the noon break, and children either play with each other, or become the runners for the men. The result if this community co-operation is a barn completed in a single day. Although Amish like to stay uninfluenced by the media, they are still influenced by laws and have an interaction with welfare agencies thus causing a potential conflict for the Amish. An Amish community believes that someone who has broken any of the baptismal laws must be shunned. This means that they are not allowed to communicate with, or are not allowed to participate in daily life. If one family member is shunned, then the rest of the family must not sit at the same table as them during meal times. The Amish get their justifications of shunning from the bible, although the number of people known to have been excommunicated is very small.
The Amish are a group who believe in their own way of life that is different to our own. Although many are generalisations, as there are generalisations or stereotypes for many other cultures or religions. It is important to realise like anyone, Amish people do not follow the specific stereotype as others may view them to be.
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