No Car
There are two schisms that originated in Switzerland: those who followed Jakob Ammann who would become the Old Order Amish, better known as Amish, and the second who became the Amish Mennonites. The latter don’t refrain from using motor cars, but the Old Order Amish held on more tightly to traditional customs, and so they use horse driven buggys instead of motor vehicles.
No Car
The Beards
You might associate long but neatly trimmed beards when you think of Amish men. They grow these beards in order to symbolize marital status and manhood. These beards are also meant to symbolize humility. Interestingly, they are not allowed to grow mustaches, as these are associated with the military and the Amish are strictly against joining any sort of military.
The Beards
The Believer’s Baptism
In order to begin Amish church membership, adults (Amish consider adults to be aged 16 and up) between the ages of 16 and 23 go through a baptism. In order to get married, an Amish adult must go through this baptism, which much be within the church. Then they are allowed to get married, but only to someone within their faith.
The Believer’s Baptism
Rules Of The Ordnung
The Ordnung is the set of rules by which the Amish must live by. These rules are reviewed twice a year by all members of the church. The Ordnung outlines day to day living practices as well as a full list of limitations like minimal to no use of power line electricity, phones, cars, and it also outlines their dress code.
Rules Of The Ordnung
Fully Autonomous
Even thought the Ordnung is the strict rulebook on how to conduct one’s life, it can and does differ from one district to another, as each Amish district is technically a different chuch. The diverse groups have rules as they see fit in order to suit their community, though there are many general rules that apply to a majority of districts.
Fully Autonomous
What’s Rumspringa?
Rumspringa is the rite of passage for many Amish adolescents that usually takes place between the ages of 14 and 16. Since most Amish communities are intentionally insular and segregated from other communities, Rumspringa allows teenagers the opportunity to explore rule breaking without severe condemnation. At the end of this period, each individual is allowed to choose whether or not they want to become baptized or leave the community. Interestingly about about 85-90% of people decide to become baptized and join the church.
What’s Rumspringa?
What About Arranged Marriages?
While most people might think that Amish people find their spouses through arranged marriages, this is actually not the case at all. As previously mentioned, both adults must be first baptized in order to be allowed to marry. Marrying outside of the faith is strictly prohibited as well. Amish people are allowed to choose who they marry, and often courtship involves a young man transporting a young woman he is interested in to and from Sunday worships or singings.
What About Arranged Marriages?
They Are Multilingual
The majority of Old Order Amish speak Pennsylvania Dutch. “Dutch” doesn’t refer to the Dutch language but rather an endonym of Deitch, from Pennsylvania German. The members of the Pennsylvania Dutch continued using this name in order to further distinguish themselves from other German immigrants who game to the United States after 1830. Nearly all Amish are bilingual, speaking both Pennsylvania Dutch and English.
They Are Multilingual
October Wedding Season
In many Amish communities, October brings in the beginning of wedding season, as it is after the harvest season, and in itself is quite a festive time in general. Weddings mark young adults’ passage into adulthood. Wedding ceremonies are very important in the Amish tradition as they symbolize the growth of the community. Most weddings are held on either Tuesdays or Thursdays, and they bring the entire community together in celebration.
October Wedding Season
No Alcohol Or Smoking?
The consumption of alcohol varies across different Amish communities. Within the New Order Amish, alcohol, smoking, and bed courtship are all completely forbidden. However, within Old Order communities, it is not as cut and dry. What is clear is that drinking culture is not common within any Amish communities.
No Alcohol Or Smoking?
Modest Clothing
Plain and modest clothing is the signature style of the Amish. Men typically wear solid color shirts, suits, and wide-brimmed hats. Women usually wear dresses that are calf-length in muted colors, along with aprons and bonnets. The color of the bonnet signifies the woman’s marital status. All clothing is sewn by hand, but button use varies. Old Order Amish refrain from using buttons are they might attract too much attention, while New Order Amish do allow buttons.
Modest Clothing
Their Roots
In the early 18th century, many Amish began to immigrate to Pennsylvania due to the state’s openness and lack of religious persecution. It also had attractive land offers, which led to about 500 Amish migrating to North America between 1717 and 1750. At first, they mostly settled in Berks County, but later relocated to Lancaster County due to the French and Indian War. In the mid 19th century, another wave of Amish came to Ohio, Iowa, Illinois, and south Ontario. The later immigrants did not become a part of the Old Order Amish and were a bit more liberal.
Their Roots
Rules Before Marriage
While it might be completely unexpected for such a stringently religious group, but unmarried couples are not only allowed to share a bed together, but are actually encouraged to do so under one condition. They must be fully clothed and also have a wooden board between the two of them in order to avoid any physical intimacy before marriage. This is allowed so that the couple can get to know one another and test the waters before committing for the long term.
Rules Before Marriage
Tax Rules
Amish people are subject to the same property and sales taxes as everyone else, they do object Social Security benefits and insurance.. In 1961, the IRS agreed agreed to exempt Amish from Social Security taxes, as it is applied to religious groups that are opposed to receiving public or private benefits and insurance. This only applied to Amish who are self-employed.
Tax Rules
Largest Population
98% of Amish live in the United States, with a total population of 355,660 as of June 2021. Older Order Amish live in 31 different states. The majority of Amish live in Pennsylvania, with about 84,000 Amish living there. About 80,200 live in Ohio, and about 61,000 live in Indiana. West of the Mississippi River, the largest population of Amish reside in Missouri.
Largest Population
Education Through 8th Grade
Education is not continued past the eight grade in the Amish community, as it is believed that the basic knowledge that is acquired up until then is enough. It is very rare for any Amish to go to high school, and still even more rare for any to attend college. Most Amish schools are schoolhouses consisting of one room with teachers from the community itself.
Education Through 8th Grade
Voting Rights
It is pretty rare for Amish people to vote in presidential elections, although of course they are eligible to vote. Only about 10% of Amish people vote, and it is likely only when there is something involved that directly affects them like zoning issues. Despite not voting, Amish people are very law abiding citizens.
Voting Rights
Adhering To Pacifism
Amish strictly adhere to Christian pacifism, which is why they are so ardently against any military involvement. Even in their early days of living in North America, they did not participate in any warfare with Native Americans. They believe in nonviolence because they believe that Jesus was a pacifist and thus his followers must be the same way.
Adhering To Pacifism
Amish Dolls
Amish dolls are rag dolls that serve as children’s toys amongst the Old Order Amish. Most of them do not have faces so that they can all be alike in the eyes of God. These are usually made by hand or by sewing machine. The dolls are dressed in traditional Amish clothing.
Amish Dolls
No Instruments
Usually, Amish people are not allowed to play musical instruments as they are forbidden by the tradition. However, there is one exception to this rule. Harmonicas are allowed to be played. Outside of that, singing is allowed.
No Instruments
Amish Computers
While technology and computers in particular are forbidden in the Amish community, an exception was made for a very particular kind of computer. The “Amish” computer was created by Allen Hoover who teamed up with computer programmers to create this specially made computer with limited functionality. It mostly serves as a machine for spreadsheets for inventory and for tracking receipts. It is advertised as: “Not just a locked computer; no modem, no phone port or internet connection, no outside programs, no sound, no photographs, no games or gimmicks. Nothing fancy. Just a work horse for your business.”
Amish Computers
Population Growth
In 1920, the Amish population stood at just 5,000 members. In 1992, the population first crossed the 100,000 mark with about 128,150 people, which was about a 52.6% increase from 1984. In 2021, the population stands at 361,635. They are one of the fastest growing populations in the world. It makes sense since each Amish family has an average of about 7 children.
Population Growth
Amish Furniture
Amish furniture is known for being completely made out of wood. It is not made with laminate or particle board either. The skill has been passed down through generations in the community. As electricity is not allowed, furniture and woodworking tools are typically powered by hydraulics and pneumatic power that works on diesel.
Amish Furniture
Total Isolation
The reason why so much seems unknown to the general population about the Amish is because they generally tend to keep a degree of separation from people outside of the community. This is also why marriage with someone from outside of the faith is not allowed. To be fair, that must be difficult to do considering just how isolated Amish are from the outside world.
Total Isolation
Technological Exceptions
While technology on the whole is not allowed within most Amish communities, there are some communities that have some exceptions. The community living in Kalona, Iowa, which was founded in 1846, has relatively relaxed rules about technology, but within reason. For example, tractors are used in field work and gas lamp fixtures are also allowed. However, the tractors cannot be taken onto the road outside of field work.
Technological Exceptions
No Wedding Rings
Due to the very strict dress code expected of the Amish, wedding rings are not allowed to be worn. They are forbidden because they’re seen as drawing unnecessary attention to the body and might induce pride in an individual. That’s why the color of the bonnet worn by Amish women signifies her marital status, as they do not wear rings.
No Wedding Rings
Engagements Are Secret
It is pretty normal within the Amish community to keep engagements private. Newly engaged couples will often wait until July or August to let their families know that they are engaged. Then, the family will keep it private until October, when the wedding season begins. They will share the news at an October church service.
Engagements Are Secret
Wedding Attire
Typically, an Amish bride will wear a blue linen dress which will also then be worn in the future during other formal occasions. As mentioned, no ring will be given or worn since the Ornung forbids jewelry. Most weddings take place on Tuesday or Thursdays in November to early December.
Wedding Attire
Traditional Amish Food
Traditional Amish food is simple but also hearty, nourishing, and certainly filling. Typical dishes include things beloved items outside of the Amish world including Dutch apple desserts, soft pretzels, and beef with noodles. Other classic Amish dishes include scrapple, doughnuts, shoofly pie, and chicken corn soup.
Traditional Amish Food
No Retirement Age
There is no set retirement age within the Amish community and it is pretty much up to the individual whether or not to retire and if yes, when. However, the typical retirement age in the community varies between 50 to 70 years old. Those who retire stay at home, and there are no retirement facilities. They continue pitching in with housework at their own pace. This retirement method aims to keep the elderly around in the community and to avoid loneliness.
No Retirement Age
Amish Baptism
The Amish are Anabaptist, which means they believe in adult baptism rather than infant baptism. That concept comes from the idea that following Jesus should be a decision made voluntarily by an adult. In contrast, in Catholicism, babies are usually baptized according to whether or not their parents wanted them to be.
Amish Baptism
No Photography
So there are some misconceptions about photography within the Amish community. It is not against the religion to be photographed, but posing for photos is usually forbidden. Most of the time, if you ask an Amish person to be photographed, they will decline, but if you take a photo of them in a natural setting, it is not usually a problem. Some Amish groups do allow for photos of their children to be taken. Lately, attitudes towards photography have become more relaxed.
No Photography
Frolic Barn Raising
Barn raising is quite the event within the Amish community. It is considered to be a frolic, which is a work event that balances a practical goal with socializing. Raising the barn symbolizes Amish values of hard work and community. It is a visual reminder of the principle of mutual aid which is highly regarded in the community.
Frolic Barn Raising
High Retention Rate
It’s interesting to think about the fact that the Amish retention rate is so high. Perhaps the fact that the community places family values and communal support along with making baptism optional, people don’t feel the need to leave the community since it does not feel oppressive. About 90% of children born into the Amish community choose to stay in the community.
High Retention Rate
Contact With Modern World
The reality is, as contact and connectivity becomes more and more of a norm around the globe, communities that have been able to keep themselves totally isolated for centuries are finding themselves in a position of having to grapple with modernity. Some within the New Order Amish have allowed themselves to start using cell phones and also pagers, however, many Old Order Amish will still refrain.
Old Order Amish
Not A Lot Of Choices
Since Amish are required to marry someone form within the community, it is quite limiting. Marrying a first cousin is not allowed, but a second cousin marriage is allowed. Additionally, marrying a “Schwartz” cousin, which is the first cousin once removed, is banned in Lancaster County.
Not A Lot Of Choices
Highly Exclusive
While many other religions place a huge emphasis on recruiting new members, the opposite is true in the Amish community. They completely reject the idea of evangelism and even make it quite difficult to join the community for those from the outside who want in. Many times those who are the biggest supporters of the Amish are not allowed to join the church themselves.
Highly Exclusive
Non-Amish “English”
Anyone outside of the Amish community is referred to by members of the community as “English.” This is not done in a hurtful way, it’s just a way to differentiate between them and the outside world. In fact, a lot of Amish will trust some “English” neighbors to be contact points to the outside world in case of an emergency.
Non Amish English
No Pictures Or Paintings
In addition to not posing for a photograph, the same goes for any physical representation of themselves, which includes film and paintings. This is thought to promote individualism and vanity, which goes against the sense of community and humility.
No Pictures Or Paintings
Dating Life
Courting is allowed to begin at age 16 and Amish youth can socialize at sewing bees, frolics, weddings, and most commonly the fortnight Sunday evening sing. On the day of the sing, a young man will dress nicely and then is allowed to socialize with girls after the sing at about 10 o’clock. The boy is then able to take the girl home in an open-top courting buggy.
Dating Life