In a world rushing forward with technological advancements, where hyper-connectivity is the norm, there exists a community that consciously steps back. The clip-clop of a horse’s hooves on pavement is a sound from a bygone era for most, but for the Amish, it’s the rhythm of daily life. To glimpse into their world is to witness a deliberate and profound commitment to a life of simplicity, faith, and community, a stark contrast to the society that surrounds them. They are not a historical reenactment but a living, breathing culture that navigates the pressures of the modern world by adhering to centuries-old traditions.
The Bedrock of Belief: Faith, Family, and Community
At the very core of the Amish identity is their Anabaptist faith. This isn’t just a Sunday affair; it’s the lens through which they view every aspect of existence. The guiding principle is Gelassenheit, a German word that doesn’t have a simple English equivalent but embodies ideas of submission, humility, and yielding to a higher will—specifically, the will of God and the community. This concept shapes their rejection of individualism and personal vanity in favor of the collective good. The community, or Gemeinde, is paramount.
An Amish person’s life is deeply interwoven with their local church district, typically composed of 20 to 40 families. This group functions as a spiritual and social support system of incredible strength. Church services are held every other Sunday in a member’s home, rotating from family to family. There are no ornate church buildings; the focus is on the congregation itself. They help each other build barns, tend to the sick, and provide for widows and orphans, effectively creating their own social safety net, independent of government aid.
The Ordnung: An Unwritten Code for Living
How do they maintain such a distinct lifestyle amidst the pervasive influence of modern culture? The answer lies in the Ordnung. Often misunderstood as a rigid set of rules, the Ordnung is better described as an unwritten set of guidelines and understandings that dictate the Amish way of life. It is not uniform across all Amish communities; it varies from one church district to another, interpreted by local bishops and ministers.
The Ordnung covers nearly every facet of daily existence, including:
- Technology: It dictates which technologies are permissible and which are not. The primary concern is not whether a technology is “evil,” but how it might impact the community and family structure. Public grid electricity is forbidden because it creates a direct connection to the outside world, fostering dependency and temptation. Cars are rejected for a similar reason; they encourage travel far from the community and weaken local ties.
- Appearance: The Ordnung prescribes “plain” dress. This is a powerful symbol of their separation from the “English” (the Amish term for the non-Amish world) and a rejection of vanity. Men typically wear straight-cut suits without collars or lapels, and broad-brimmed hats. Women wear solid-colored, long-sleeved dresses with a cape and apron, and their hair is covered by a prayer covering, or kapp.
- Social Conduct: It provides guidance on courtship, marriage, and social interactions, ensuring that behavior remains modest and aligned with their core values.
The Amish trace their origins to the Anabaptist movement of 16th-century Europe. As a distinctive subgroup of the Mennonites, they followed the teachings of Jakob Ammann, who advocated for a stricter interpretation of church discipline and practices. This disagreement led to a formal schism in 1693. Today, the Amish population is one of the fastest-growing in North America, primarily due to their large families and high rates of youth retention.
A Life of Deliberate Separation
The decision to limit technology is a cornerstone of Amish life. It is not born from ignorance, but from a deliberate choice to prioritize family and community interaction over convenience. Telephones are not found inside the home but may be permitted in a shared shanty at the end of a lane for business or emergency use. This prevents casual, intrusive chatter from disrupting family life. While they may use diesel generators to power milk coolers or workshop tools, they draw a hard line at connecting to the public power grid.
This separation extends to education. Amish children attend their own one-room or two-room parochial schools, typically taught by a young, unmarried woman from the community. Formal education ends after the eighth grade. The Amish believe this provides all the necessary academic skills—reading, writing, and arithmetic—needed for their way of life. Higher education is seen as unnecessary and a potential source of worldly values that could erode their faith and culture. The real education, in their view, begins after the eighth grade, when young people learn practical skills through apprenticeships in farming, carpentry, quilting, and homemaking.
From the Farm to the Workshop
Historically, the Amish have been a deeply agrarian people. Farming is not just a job; it’s a way of life that fosters a strong work ethic, keeps the family working together, and maintains a close connection to God’s creation. They have a reputation for being excellent farmers who care for the land with a deep sense of stewardship. However, as land prices have soared and their population has grown, many Amish have transitioned from farming to other vocations.
This has led to a boom in small businesses and skilled craftsmanship. Amish-made furniture is renowned for its quality, durability, and beauty, often built using traditional joinery techniques passed down through generations. Other common enterprises include quilt making, harness making, small-scale construction, and food production. This economic shift has presented new challenges, forcing them to interact more with the outside world for business, but they navigate it carefully, always seeking to maintain the boundaries set by the Ordnung.
The Amish way of life is a testament to the power of conviction. It is a world built not on what its people can acquire, but on what they are willing to give up for the sake of faith, family, and the preservation of their community. In its quiet simplicity and unwavering discipline, it offers a silent, profound commentary on the pace and priorities of the world beyond its borders.
