Although the Amish strive for selfsufficiency, they still must rely on the outside world and such institutions as hospitals, banks, and law enforcement for a variety of services. Their goal, therefore, is to limit contact with the outside world rather than eliminate it. But as farmland disappears and tourists clog rural highways, the Amish face more interaction with outsiders, or Englishers , not less. Thus, the Amish must find a balance between their need to be separate from the world and their increasing dependence on it.
For the most part, the Amish are peaceful, law-abiding citizens. Sometimes, however, state or federal laws go against the basic tenets of the Amish faith. When that happens, the Amish don't obey the law because they won't concede or compromise their religious principles. As a result, over the years, Amish beliefs have clashed with the U.S. government. One major conflict was.....
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