No Car
There were two groups that came out of Switzerland: the ones that were led by Jakob Ammann, who would become known as the Old order Amish, and the second group that would later be known as the Amish Mennonites. The Amish Mennonites don’t avoid using cars, but the Old Order Amish held on to traditional customs, and they are the ones who use horse drawn buggys instead of motor cars.
No Car
The Beards
You might already know about the trimmed beards that Amish men sport. They grow these beards in order to show that they are married and also symbolize manhood, as well as humility. Amish men are not allowed to grow mustaches, since they are associated with the military, and the Amish faith is strongly against joining any type of military group.
The Beards
The Believer’s Baptism
To become a member of the Amish church, adults (those in the Amish faith consider anyone 16 and older as adults) between 16 and 23 go through a baptism process. Before getting married, an adult must go through the baptism, and it must be done through the church. Once completed, they are allowed to get married, but of course only to someone within the Amish faith.
The Believer’s Baptism
Rules Of The Ordnung
The Ordung refers to the set of rules that govern the daily lives of the Amish. These rules are reviewed biannually by every member of the church. It outlines all the practices of each day, as well as the list of limitations members must adhere to. This includes minimal to no use of phones, cars, electricity lines, as well as the rules of their dress code.
Rules Of The Ordnung
Fully Autonomous
While the Ordnung is a strict book of rules on daily life, it actually does differ between each district, since each Amish district is technically a different church. The diverse groups each have their own rules that dictate the proper way to live within each community, however, there are general rules that apply to a majority of the Amish districts.
Fully Autonomous
What’s Rumspringa?
You might have heard of Rumspringa, which is the rites of passage for Amish adolescents that are between the age of 14 and 16. Many of the Amish communities are purposefully insular and keep away from any other communities, but Rumspringa gives them a chance to explore breaking the rules without punishment. Once the Rumspringa period is over, individuals are allowed to choose whether they want to become baptized or leave the community. Surprisingly, between 85-90% of members choose to become baptized and continue living in the community.
What’s Rumspringa?
What About Arranged Marriages?
Many people believe that Amish people meet their partners by way of arranged marriages, this is actually not true. First of all, in order to be able to marry, adults must be baptized. Of course, marrying someone outside of the community is not allowed. Amish people are actually allowed to choose who they want to marry, and courtship will typically involve a young man transporting a young woman he might be interested in to Sunday worships or singings and then back home.
What About Arranged Marriages
They Are Multilingual
Most of the people who follow Old Order Amish speak Pennsylvania Dutch. However, Dutch does not refer to the language spoken in the Netherlands, but is rather a form of the word Deitch, from Pennsylvania German. Members of the Pennsylvania Dutch continued to use this name to distinguish themselves from the German immigrants that came to the US in 1830. Almost all Amish are bilingual and can speak Pennsylvania Dutch as well as English.
They Are Multilingual
October Wedding Season
In Amish communities, the wedding season is in October, following the harvest season. October is a very festive season in general as well. Weddings mark the passage into adulthood, and the ceremonies are quite important in the tradition since they symbolize the community’s growth. Weddings are usually held on Tuesdays or Thursdays, and the whole community comes together for the celebration.
October Wedding
No Alcohol Or Smoking?
The rules regarding consumption of alcohol is varied throughout the Amish communities. The New Order Amish completely forbid alcohol, smoking, and bed courtship are strictly forbidden. However, the Old Order communities are not as strict, though the consumption of alcohol is not common within any Amish communities.
No Alcohol Or Smoking
Modest Clothing
Modest and plain clothing is the style of the Amish clothing. Men will usually wear solidly colored shirts, suits, and also wide brimmed hats. Women typically wear dresses in muted colors that are calf-length as well as bonnets and aprons. The bonnet’s color signifies the woman’s marital status. Clothes are sewn by hand, and the use of buttons varies from community to community. The Old Order Amish avoid buttons as they could attract unwanted attention, but New Order Amish do allow for buttons.
Modest Clothing
Their Roots
In the 18th century, many Amish immigrated to Pennsylvania because of the state’s lack of religious persecution, as well as attractive land offers. Between 1717 and 1750, about 500 Amish immigrated to North America, most of whom settled in Berks County. They later moved to Lancaster county following the French and Indian War. In the mid-19th century, another wave of Amish moved to Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, and the southern part of Ontario. The immigrants that came later did not become part of the Old Order and were a bit more liberal.
Their Roots
Rules Before Marriage
Contrary to what many believe, unmarried couples are actually allowed to share a bed and are even encouraged to do so. They do have to be fully clothes and must have a wooden board in between them in order to avoid physical intimacy before the wedding. However, this surprising closeness is allowed so that the couples can get to know one another before committing to a life together.
Rules Before Marriage
Tax Rules
While Amish people are subjected to the same sales and property taxes as everyone else outside of the community, they do object to the benefits and insurance from Social Security. In 1961, the IRS agreed to exempt the Amish from Social Security taxes, as it is applied to religious groups that are against receiving private and public benefits, but this only applies to self-employed Amish.
Tax Rules
Largest Population
About 98% of Amish people live in the United States, with a population of 355,660 as of June 2021. Old Order Amish live in 31 different states in the US. Most of them live in Pennsylvania, with about 84,000 Amish calling the state home. About 80,200 live in Ohio, 61,000 live in Indiana, and west of the Mississippi River, the largest concentration of Amish live in Missouri.
Largest Population
Education Through 8th Grade
In the Amish community, education is not continued after the 8th grade, as they believe that the basic knowledge accumulated up until that point is enough. It’s rare for Amish to attend high school, and even more rare for them to attend college. Amish schools are schoolhouses that consist of a room with teachers who are also members of the community.
Education Through 8th Grade
Voting Rights
Amish people rarely vote in presidential elections, even though they are of course eligible to vote. About 10% of Amish people vote, and it usually only happens when there is an issue that directly involves them like zoning laws. Even though they rarely vote, they are very law abiding citizens.
Voting Rights
Adhering To Pacifism
Amish people adhere to Christian pacifism, which is why they are so anti any involvement with the military in any form. Even in the earliest days of them living in North America, they did not partake in any war with Native Americans. They believe in non-violent ways because they believe Jesus was a pacifist and believe they must follow in his way.
Adhering To Pacifism
Amish Dolls
Amish dolls are the rag dolls that Older Order Amish children have as toys. Most of the dolls do not have faces so that they call all be alike in the eyes of God. The dolls are typically made by hand or by a sewing machine, and are dressed in the traditional Amish clothes.
Amish Dolls
No Instruments
Amish people are typically not allowed to play instruments since they are not allowed by tradition. The one exception to the rule is the harmonica. Additionally, singing is allowed.
No Instruments
Amish Computers
Technology and computers are strictly forbidden within the community, but one computer has been made as an exception. The “Amish” community, was created by Alan Hoover who teamed up with computer programmers to make a limited functionality computer that’s basically just a spreadsheet machine for inventory and receipt tracking. The computer 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 population of Amish was at about 5000. In 1992, it was the first time that the population grew beyond 100,000, with a total of about 128,150 people, a 52.6% increase from 1984. In 2021, the population was at 361,635, making the Amish one of the fastest growing populations in the world, which makes sense considering the average Amish family has 7 children.
Population Growth
Amish Furniture
Amish furniture is completely made of wood but is not treated or made with laminate or particle board. The furniture making skill is passed down from generation to generation, and since electricity isn’t allowed, the woodworking tools are usually hydraulic and pneumatic powered and work on diesel.
Amish Furniture
Total Isolation
Amish people keep a degree of separation to the outside world, which is why the general population knows so little about their way of life. This is why marriage outside of the community is not allowed. We imagine it would be difficult for any Amish person to even meet someone outside of the community since they are so insular.
Total Isolation
Technological Exceptions
While technology is banned as a whole in most Amish communities, there are some exceptions. Those living in Kalona, Iowa, founded in 1846, have some more relaxed rules about technology. They are allowed to use tractors for working the fields and gas lamp light fixtures are allowed. However, the tractors cannot be used outside of the field.
Technological Exceptions
No Wedding Rings
Due to the strict dress code that all Amish must adhere to, wedding rings are not allowed, since wearing them is seen as drawing unneeded attention to the body and could even induce pride in the individual. That’s why the color of the bonnet worn by women gives an indication of their marital status instead of wearing rings.
No Wedding Rings
Engagements Are Secret
It is quite normal for engagements to be kept secret. Engaged couples will typically wait to tell their families that they are engaged until July or August, and then the families will keep the news private until October, when it is wedding season. Then, they’ll share the news at a church service.
Engagements Are Secret
Wedding Attire
Usually, an Amish bride will wear a blue linen dress for her wedding, and the dress will actually be worn again afterwards during other formal occasions. As the Ornung forbids jewelry, as mentioned, rings are not worn. Weddings usually take place on Tuesdays or Thursdays in November to early December.
Wedding Attire
Traditional Amish Food
Traditional Amish food is hearty but simple. Some classic dishes include things that people outside of the Amish community also enjoy, like Dutch apple desserts, soft pretzels, and beef with noodles. Some other traditional dishes include scrapple, doughnuts, shoofly pie, and chicken corn soup.
Traditional Amish Food
No Retirement Age
In the Amish community, there is not set retirement age, and each individual can decide whether or not they want to retire and when. Usually, people will retire between the ages of 50 and 70 years old. People who retire will stay at home, since there are no retirement homes in the community. They’ll usually continue to help pitching in with housework but at their own pace. This aims to keep the elderly members of the community included and avoids loneliness associated with older people outside of the community.
No Retirement Age
Amish Baptism
The Amish people are Anabaptist, which refers to believing in adult baptism as opposed to infant baptism. This tradition stems from the belief that following Jesus should be a decision made voluntarily by adults. In Catholicism, by contrast, babies are typically baptized in accordance with what their parents decide.
Amish Baptism
No Photography
There are some misconceptions in regards to photography within the Amish community. It’s not forbidden by the religion to be photographed, however posing for pictures is not allowed. If you ask an Amish person to be photographed, they’ll usually decline. However, if you take a photo of them in a natural, unposed setting, it should be okay. Some groups allow for children’s photos to be taken. Some communities have been more relaxed towards photography as of late.
No Photography
Frolic Barn Raising
Raising barns is a major event in the Amish community, as it is considered to be a frolic, which is a work event that combines a practical goal with socializing. Barn raising symbolizes the community’s values of emphasizing hard work and a strong community. It is a visual representation of mutual aid, which is very important in the Amish community.
Frolic Barn Raising
High Retention Rate
Some might be surprised to learn that the retention rate in the Amish community is very high. It might be because the community places importance on family values and community support. Additionally, since baptism is optional, people don’t feel like they have to break out of an oppressive community. About 90% of the children born in the community decide to stay.
High Retention Rate
Contact With Modern World
Since connectivity is growing and becoming a norm all around the world, the Amish communities, who have been able to keep mostly isolated for centuries, are now finding themselves grappling with modernity. Some New Order Amish have allowed members to use cell phones and pagers, though many members of the Older Order will still avoid using cell phones.
Contact With Modern World
Not A Lot Of Choices
Due to the fact that Amish must marry someone from inside the community, it’s not surprising that options are quite limited. Marrying a first cousin is not allowed, but marrying a second cousin usually is. Marrying a “Schwartz” cousin, which is the first cousin once removed, is not allowed in the Lancaster County.
Not A Lot Of Choices
Highly Exclusive
While many religions place a big emphasis on recruiting new members to their community, that is not the case with the Amish. They do not agree with evangelism and even make it quite challenging for outsider to join the community. A lot of people who are the biggest supporters of the community are not allowed to join the community themselves.
Highly Exclusive
Non-Amish “English”
Those who are not members of the Amish community are called “English” by the members of the community. This isn’t meant o be derogatory, but is just a way to differentiate themselves from the outside world. A lot of members of the Amish community do trust their “English” members as contact points in the outside world in case of an emergency.
Non Amish English
No Pictures Or Paintings
While posing for photographs are not allowed, posing for any other representation of themselves is also not allowed, and that includes films or paintings. This is because it is seen as promoting vanity and individualism, which goes against the tenants of humility and community which are so important to the community.
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
At age 16, courting is allowed for Amish youth. They typically are allowed to socialize at frolics, sewing bees, weddings, and at the fortnight Sunday evening sing. Usually, on the day of the sing, a young man will wear a nice outfit and is allowed to socialize with young ladies after the sing at around 10pm. Then, the boy is allowed to take the girl home in the open top courting buggy.
Dating Life