Amish People Value Separation from the World
The Amish are deeply committed to maintaining a lifestyle that is distinct from the modern world. This separation is not just a physical distance but also a spiritual and cultural one. The Amish believe that living in a way that is separate from mainstream society helps them to maintain their faith and values.
This separation is evident in their simple way of life, their dress, and their use of technology. By avoiding many aspects of modern life, such as electricity, automobiles, and modern conveniences, the Amish are able to focus on what they believe is truly important: their relationship with God, their family, and their community.
The Amish view the world outside their community as one filled with temptations and distractions that could lead them away from their faith. This is why they have strict rules governing what is acceptable within their communities.
These rules, known as the Ordnung, vary slightly from one Amish community to another but generally prohibit the use of technology and modern conveniences. The Amish believe that by limiting their exposure to the outside world, they are better able to maintain their spiritual purity and avoid the negative influences that could lead them astray.
The Role of Technology in Separation
The Amish refusal to adopt modern technology is one of the most visible aspects of their separation from the world. They believe that technology, particularly that which makes life more convenient or easier, can lead to pride, vanity, and a focus on material wealth.
The Amish are more concerned with maintaining a humble, God-centered life than with enjoying the comforts that technology can provide. This is why they avoid the use of cars, electricity, and modern appliances, which they believe could weaken their community bonds and lead to an unhealthy reliance on material things.
The Amish are not completely opposed to all technology; rather, they carefully evaluate each new invention or tool to determine whether it aligns with their values. For example, while they do not use cars, some Amish communities allow the use of battery-powered lights or tractors for farming, as long as these do not disrupt their communal life or lead to excessive pride.
This careful consideration of technology demonstrates the Amish commitment to maintaining their separation from the world in a way that is consistent with their beliefs.
Community and Family Life
Amish communities are close-knit and place a strong emphasis on family life. The family is the central unit of Amish society, and maintaining strong family bonds is considered essential to living a life that is pleasing to God.
Amish families often work together on farms or in family-owned businesses, which not only provides for their material needs but also strengthens their relationships with one another.
In addition to family, the Amish are deeply committed to their community. They believe that living in close proximity to other Amish people helps them to maintain their values and avoid the influences of the outside world.
The community provides support in times of need, such as during illness or after a natural disaster, and the Amish are known for their willingness to help one another in these situations. This sense of community is also reflected in the Amish practice of barn-raising, where members of the community come together to help a family build a new barn or house.
This practice not only provides material assistance but also reinforces the bonds of the community and reminds the Amish of their shared values and beliefs.
Gelassenheit (Submission) in the Amish Tradition
Gelassenheit is a central concept in Amish belief and practice. The term, which is of German origin, can be translated as submission or yielding to God’s will. For the Amish, Gelassenheit is not just about submitting to God’s will in a general sense; it also involves submitting to the authority of the church, the community, and the family.
This concept is deeply ingrained in the Amish way of life and influences everything from their dress and behavior to their work and worship.
Gelassenheit is seen as a way of living that is humble, obedient, and peaceful. The Amish believe that by submitting to God’s will and the authority of the community, they are able to live a life that is pleasing to God and free from the selfishness and pride that characterize much of the modern world.
This submission is not seen as a burden but as a source of strength and unity, as it helps the Amish to maintain their close-knit communities and avoid the divisiveness that can arise from individualism and self-interest.
The Expression of Gelassenheit in Daily Life
The concept of Gelassenheit is expressed in many aspects of Amish life. For example, Amish dress is simple and modest, reflecting their belief in humility and submission. Men wear plain shirts, trousers, and broad-brimmed hats, while women wear long dresses and bonnets. The Amish believe that by dressing simply, they are able to avoid the vanity and pride that can come with fashionable or elaborate clothing.
This simplicity in dress also helps to reinforce the sense of community, as it minimizes differences between individuals and emphasizes their shared values.
Another way in which Gelassenheit is expressed is through the Amish approach to work. The Amish believe that work is a form of worship and that by working diligently and humbly, they are able to serve God and the community.
This is why the Amish are known for their strong work ethic and their willingness to take on even the most difficult and unpleasant tasks. They believe that by submitting to the demands of work, they are able to cultivate patience, humility, and discipline, all of which are important virtues in the Amish faith.
Submission to Church Authority
In the Amish tradition, submission to the authority of the church is seen as essential to maintaining spiritual purity and unity within the community. The Amish believe that the church is the primary institution through which God’s will is expressed, and they are committed to obeying the decisions of the church leaders, known as bishops, ministers, and deacons.
These leaders are chosen from within the community and are responsible for interpreting the Bible and the Ordnung, the set of rules that governs Amish life.
The Amish believe that by submitting to the authority of the church, they are able to avoid the conflict and division that can arise when individuals or groups try to impose their own interpretations of the Bible.
This submission also helps to ensure that the community remains united and focused on their shared values and beliefs. The Amish are deeply committed to maintaining the unity of the church, and they are willing to make personal sacrifices in order to preserve this unity.
The Amish Are Committed to Nonresistance
Nonresistance is a core principle of Amish belief and is rooted in their interpretation of the teachings of Jesus Christ. The Amish believe that Jesus taught his followers to turn the other cheek and to love their enemies, and they are committed to living out these teachings in their daily lives.
This commitment to nonresistance means that the Amish reject all forms of violence, including war, physical punishment, and even self-defense. They believe that by refusing to engage in violence, they are following the example of Christ and demonstrating their faith in God’s ultimate justice.
The Amish commitment to nonresistance is not just a theoretical belief; it is a practical way of living that affects every aspect of their lives. For example, the Amish refuse to serve in the military or to participate in any form of government service that involves violence. They also avoid any form of physical punishment, believing that discipline should be administered in a way that is gentle and non-violent.
This commitment to nonresistance also extends to their interactions with others, as the Amish strive to live in peace and harmony with their neighbors, even when they are treated unjustly or unfairly.
The Biblical Basis for Nonresistance
The Amish belief in nonresistance is based on their interpretation of several key passages in the Bible. One of the most important of these is the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus teaches his followers to love their enemies, to bless those who curse them, and to turn the other cheek when struck.
The Amish take these teachings literally and believe that they are called to follow the example of Christ in all things, including in their response to violence and conflict.
Another important passage for the Amish is Romans 12:19, where the Apostle Paul writes, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” The Amish believe that this verse teaches that it is not their place to seek revenge or to engage in violence, but that they should trust in God’s justice and leave the matter in his hands.
This belief in nonresistance is also reflected in the Amish refusal to engage in lawsuits or to seek legal redress for wrongs that have been done to them. Instead, they believe that they should forgive those who wrong them and leave the matter in God’s hands.
Nonresistance in Practice
The Amish commitment to nonresistance is evident in their daily lives and in their interactions with others. For example, when the Amish are faced with conflict or injustice, they will typically seek to resolve the situation through peaceful means, such as mediation or negotiation.
If these efforts are unsuccessful, the Amish will often choose to suffer the injustice rather than to engage in violence or to seek legal redress. This willingness to accept suffering is seen as a way of following the example of Christ, who also suffered unjustly at the hands of others.
In addition to their refusal to engage in violence, the Amish are also committed to living in peace and harmony with their neighbors. They believe that by living a peaceful and nonviolent life, they are able to demonstrate their faith in God and to be a witness to the world of the teachings of Christ. This commitment to peace is also reflected in the Amish approach to parenting and discipline.
The Amish believe that children should be taught to live peacefully and to resolve conflicts without resorting to violence or aggression. This is why Amish parents are careful to discipline their children in a way that is gentle and non-violent, and why they
emphasize the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation in their family life.
Adult Baptism
Baptism is a central rite in Amish religious practice, and it is viewed as a public declaration of one’s faith and commitment to the Amish way of life. Unlike many Christian denominations, which practice infant baptism, the Amish believe in adult baptism. This means that baptism is only administered to those who are old enough to make a conscious decision to join the Amish church.
The Amish believe that baptism is a serious and lifelong commitment, and they emphasize the importance of making this decision with full understanding and awareness of its significance.
The practice of adult baptism reflects the Amish belief in personal responsibility and individual choice. The Amish believe that each person must make their own decision to follow Christ and to join the church, and that this decision cannot be made on their behalf by their parents or anyone else.
This is why the Amish do not baptize infants, as they believe that baptism should be a conscious and deliberate choice made by each individual.
The Process of Joining the Church
The process of joining the Amish church and receiving baptism is a lengthy and serious one. Before a person can be baptized, they must go through a period of instruction and preparation, which typically lasts several months.
During this time, they will attend classes and meetings where they will learn about the Amish faith, the Bible, and the Ordnung, the set of rules that governs Amish life. They will also be encouraged to reflect on their own faith and to consider whether they are truly ready to make the commitment to join the church.
Once the period of instruction is complete, the candidate for baptism will meet with the church leaders to discuss their decision. If the leaders are satisfied that the candidate is ready, they will be baptized during a church service.
The baptism itself is a simple ceremony, in which the candidate is asked to confess their faith in Jesus Christ and to commit to following the Amish way of life. Water is then poured over the candidate’s head, symbolizing their purification and their entrance into the church.
The Significance of Baptism in Amish Life
Baptism is a highly significant event in the life of an Amish person, as it marks their formal entry into the church and their acceptance of the responsibilities and obligations that come with being a member of the Amish community. Once a person is baptized, they are expected to live according to the Ordnung and to submit to the authority of the church leaders.
This includes attending church services, participating in the sacraments, and living in accordance with the values and teachings of the Amish faith.
Baptism also signifies a person’s commitment to the Amish way of life, including their separation from the world and their dedication to living a humble, God-centered life. For the Amish, baptism is not just a one-time event, but a lifelong commitment that requires ongoing faithfulness and obedience to God’s will.
This is why the Amish place such a strong emphasis on the importance of baptism and why they view it as one of the most important events in a person’s life.
Shunning (Meidung)
Shunning, or Meidung, is a practice that is used by the Amish as a form of discipline for those who violate the rules of the church. Shunning is not intended to be punitive or vengeful; rather, it is seen as a way of encouraging repentance and restoring the individual to the community.
The Amish believe that by shunning those who have strayed from the faith, they are helping them to recognize their errors and to return to the right path.
Shunning is a serious matter in the Amish community, and it is only used in cases where an individual has committed a serious offense, such as breaking the Ordnung or refusing to submit to the authority of the church leaders. When a person is shunned, they are not completely ostracized from the community, but they are treated with a certain level of social avoidance.
For example, they may be excluded from certain social gatherings, or other members of the community may refuse to eat with them or do business with them. The purpose of this social avoidance is to remind the individual of the seriousness of their actions and to encourage them to repent and seek forgiveness.
The Process of Shunning
The process of shunning begins when a member of the Amish community is found to have violated the rules of the church. The church leaders will meet with the individual to discuss their actions and to encourage them to repent.
If the individual refuses to repent or continues to engage in the prohibited behavior, the church leaders may decide to impose shunning as a form of discipline.
Once a person is shunned, the members of the community are expected to avoid socializing with them in certain ways, such as by not eating with them, not doing business with them, and not engaging in certain forms of social interaction.
The shunning is intended to be a temporary measure, and it is usually lifted once the individual has repented and been restored to the community.
The Purpose and Impact of Shunning
The purpose of shunning is not to punish or humiliate the individual, but to encourage them to repent and return to the community. The Amish believe that by enforcing social avoidance, they are helping the individual to recognize the seriousness of their actions and to seek forgiveness.
Shunning is seen as an act of love and concern, rather than as a form of punishment, and the Amish are careful to avoid any form of harshness or cruelty in their use of this practice.
The impact of shunning can be significant, as it serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of living in accordance with the values and teachings of the Amish faith. For those who are shunned, the experience can be deeply humbling and can lead to a renewed commitment to the church and the community.
For the Amish community as a whole, the practice of shunning helps to maintain the unity and spiritual purity of the group, as it serves as a deterrent to those who might be tempted to stray from the faith.
Conclusion
The beliefs and practices of the Amish are deeply rooted in their commitment to living a life that is pleasing to God and that is in harmony with the teachings of the Bible. From their emphasis on separation from the world to their commitment to nonresistance and submission, the Amish strive to live in a way that reflects their faith and values.
While their way of life may seem strange or outdated to outsiders, the Amish see it as a way of maintaining their spiritual purity and of remaining true to their calling as followers of Christ.
Through their practices of adult baptism, shunning, and Gelassenheit, the Amish are able to maintain their close-knit communities and to live a life that is centered on their relationship with God and with one another.