A traditional Christian community known for its simple living, plain dress, and resistance to modern technology.
Religion: Christianity
Denomination: Anabaptist
Founder: Jakob Ammann
Founded: 1693
Location: Primarily in the United States and Canada, with communities in other countries
Size: Over 300,000 members
Other Names: Amish Mennonites
The Amish are a group of traditionalist Christian church fellowships with Swiss German Anabaptist origins, which are closely related to, but distinct from, Mennonite churches. The Amish are known for simple living, plain dress, and reluctance to adopt many conveniences of modern technology, which is part of their effort to maintain a degree of separation from the rest of the world, which they believe helps them to maintain their religious purity.
The roots of the Amish community trace back to the late 17th century, emerging from Mennonite communities in Switzerland and Southern Germany under the leadership of Jakob Ammann. Ammann’s teachings emphasized strict discipline within the community, including the practice of Meidung, or shunning, of excommunicated members, a uniformity in dress, and opposition to military service and taking oaths, which led to a schism with other Mennonite groups.
Amish communities began migrating to North America in the early 18th century, initially settling in Pennsylvania. Today, Amish communities can be found in 22 states across the United States and in Ontario, Canada, with the largest populations in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana. As of the early 21st century, there are about 250,000 Amish living in more than 200 settlements. The Amish divide themselves into church districts, autonomous congregations that meet in homes rather than church buildings. Leadership within the districts includes a bishop, ministers, and a deacon, all selected by lot from among the male members of the district.
The Amish way of life is characterized by a strong emphasis on community, humility, and family. Their rejection of electricity and many modern conveniences is based on the belief that such technologies could lead to vanity, pride, and other conditions that could disrupt family and community harmony. However, they do make occasional exceptions, such as using electricity for essential farm operations or to drive legally required lighting on buggies. The Amish also operate their own schools and avoid social security by providing their own community-based welfare.
Their clothing is meant to discourage individuality and promote humility, with men wearing broad-brimmed hats and plain, dark-colored suits, and women wearing long dresses with bonnets. Religious services are held in High German, with Pennsylvania Dutch, a German dialect, used in daily conversation. Despite their separation from the broader society, the Amish are known for their woodworking and craftsmanship, selling furniture, quilts, and other goods, which are highly valued for their quality.
Throughout their history, the Amish have experienced divisions within their community, largely centered around the balance between maintaining tradition and adapting to changing times. These divisions have led to the formation of various orders, including the Old Order Amish, who resist most modern technologies, and more progressive groups that may accept certain modern conveniences.
image via USA Today
