The Amish

The Amish We Saw

While passing by Richfield Springs, we happened to come across two Amish people doing what appears to be their monthly shopping (see food stored under buggy). The Amish are a group of people who migrated mainly into Pennsylvania during the early 18th century. They mostly came from German speaking parts of Switzerland, Alsace of France, and Palatinate of Germany. To this day, most Amish speak a variant of German dialect, called Pennsylvania German, or Pennsylvania Dutch at home. The Amish are known for their simple, and plain way of life, and also their reluctance to use modern technology. However, we must not be stereotypical. 'Amish' is a very general term, just the same as 'bird'. Bird is a very broad term, but there are different breeds which can differ greatly, i.e. an Eagle is not at all the same as a Robin.

Not a lot is known about the Amish, because they are generally known to keep themselves distant from the 'English'. But this much is known, they are not like in 'The Village', where the elders keep everyone in the town without giving them the choice. Living in an Amish community can be hard, but everyone is given the choice because of the Amish's belief that baptism should be done when the child becomes adult and knows the ordeals and restrictions that come with the Amish life. The baptism happens between the ages of 16 and 20. The time of adolescence is known as Rumspringa (the time of 'running around'). During this time, the young men and women are allowed to visit the 'English' world and decide for themselves what life suits them best. Even though all Amish are given the choice, very few of them go on into high school, and even fewer go to college. Education in Amish communities tend to stop at the eight grade, and then the boys and girls are split up to learn the practical and necessary skills they will need for their life.

Life in an Amish community is very social. Because of their beliefs that a church is just an unnecessary man-made temple, they hold the masses in their houses, each week switching to another family. When there is a wedding, the newlyweds visit everyone who attended their wedding, when there is a funeral, the whole town gathers for a shared meal afterwards. Families live together and the young take care of the old.

Some district are more tolerable with the outside world than others. Some villages allow cars, and electric wheelchairs for their disabled members, or even a pay phone for emergency medical help.

Other districts, however, are much more strict, and one member could even be shunned or excommunicated for disobeying the rules, rules such as seeking help instead of accepting that a disease is the Will of God. To be shunned means that a member of the community is to be almost ignored by the other members. This silent treatment is meant to humiliate the shunned member and eventually he will come repenting back into the church. The Amish are passive, and during the World Wars, this was often a problem for them. A lot of men were forced into the military and were abused because of their reluctance to join in in the war. They were also abused over the years because of their differences. Over time, they spread over America and Canada. There is also one group in Ireland.

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amish, http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Amish-Community/Media-Gallery/20061011235982?lpos=Home_Article_Related_Content_Region_3&lid=GALLERY_1235982_Amish_Community, http://www.allstays.com/Features/amish-country-etiquette/

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