​AMISH

Separation

 

The Amish keep themselves separate, but not exclusive, following the Biblical text "be not conformed to this world" (Romans 12:2).

Amish live like this not because they dislike or fear other human beings but because they believe that salvation comes from the redeeming power of living a loving life in a pure community of believers who live in separation from the world.

 

The Amish keep themselves apart from the communities around them in several ways:

 

• they wear distinctive clothes; straw hats, dark shirts and trousers with braces for men and plain and modest dresses with bonnets or caps for women.

• they are pacifists and don't serve in the military - guns are used only for hunting

• they don't swear oaths or hold elective office, and usually don't vote

• they don't go to law because that is seen as too confrontational

• they don't own modern technology

• they don't accept any state benefits or use insurance

• they have their own education system

• they speak a German dialect among themselves

• they marry among their community

 

Although the Amish separate themselves from the mainstream communities around them, they aren't exclusive and do business with their neighbours. The ideal Amish occupation is to be a farmer, but Amish men also do factory work.