Read Plain Answers About the Amish Life Online
Authors: Mindy Starns Clark
Plain Answers About the Amish Life
HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS
EUGENE, OREGON
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version
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Cover by Dugan Design Group, Bloomington, Minnesota
Cover photos © Tamara Kulikova / Fotolia; iStockphoto / PatriciaPix, JoeLena
Illustrations by Amy Hanson Starns
Mindy Starns Clark is represented by MacGregor Literary, Inc. of Hillsboro, Oregon.
Harvest House Publishers has made every effort to trace the ownership of all poems and quotes. In the event of a question arising from the use of a poem or quote, we regret any error made and will be pleased to make the necessary correction in future editions of this book.
PLAIN ANSWERS ABOUT THE AMISH LIFE
Some of this material appeared in
A Pocket Guide to Amish Life
Copyright © 2010/2013 by Mindy Starns Clark
Published by Harvest House Publishers
Eugene, Oregon 97402
www.harvesthousepublishers.com
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Clark, Mindy Starns.
[Pocket guide to Amish life]
Plain answers about the Amish life / Mindy Starns Clark.
pages cm.
ISBN 978-0-7369-5593-5 (pbk.)
ISBN 978-0-7369-5594-2 (eBook)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Part One. FoundationâDefining the AmishâBeliefsâCommunityâSeparationâNonresistanceâOrganizationâLeadershipâWorshipâRulesâShunningâHistoryâExpansionâPart Two. LifestyleâAmish LifeâFoodâHealthâClothing and GroomingâLanguageâTechnologyâTransportationâOccupationsâFree Time, Vacations, and EntertainmentâPart Three. PassagesâChildhood, Family, and Old AgeâSchoolâRumspringaâBaptismâCourtship and MarriageâDeathâPart Four. Outside WorldâUs and ThemâTourism and the MediaâTragedy and ForgivenessâWhy Are They Amish?âWhat Can They Teach Us?âPart Five. Supplemental MaterialâMyths Versus FactsâBiblical References.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. AmishâUnited StatesâSocial life and customs. 2. PeaceâReligious aspectsâAmish. 3. AmishâDoctrines. I. Title.
E184.M45C53 2013
289.7'73âdc23
2013000683
All rights reserved.
No part of this electronic publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any meansâelectronic, mechanical, digital, photocopy, recording, or any otherâwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The authorized purchaser has been granted a non-transferable, non-exclusive, and non-commercial right to access and view this electronic publication and agrees to do so only in accordance with the terms of use under which it was purchased or transmitted. Participation in or encouragement of piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of author's and publisher's rights is strictly prohibited.
This book is dedicated to the Amish, with thanks for all they have taught me about the need for surrender, submission, separation, and simplicity in my own Christian walk
.
My husband, John, for always, for everything.
Our two daughters, Emily and Lauren, who never cease to amaze me with their kindness, generosity, and resourcefulness.
My gifted editor and friend, Kim Moore, and all of the lovely folks at Harvest House Publishers, especially LaRae Weikert, Barb Sherrill, and Bob Hawkins Jr., who encouraged me to explore Amish life in new ways.
Amy Starns, whose beautiful artwork graces the pages of this book.
Stephanie Ciner, Dee Benjamin, Chip MacGregor, ChiLibris, and all the members of my online advisory group, Consensus.
Everyone who helped facilitate my research into Amish life, including Erik Wesner, Dave Siegrist, and the Mennonite Information Center in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
A portion of the proceeds from this book will be donated to Amish-related nonprofit organizations. Visit
www.amishfaqs.com/behind.php
for more information.
CONTENTS
21. Free Time, Vacations, and Entertainment
22. Childhood, Family, and Old Age
32. What Can The Amish Teach Us?
Biblical References for Amish Beliefs and Practices
W
hy are we so fascinated with the Amish? If we're not marveling at their enchanting dress and simple lifestyle, we're grappling with their unusual practices and austere ways. Our curiosity mingles with admiration, confusion, and suspicion. Just who are these people? Why do they live this way?
And why do we care so much?
Without a doubt, the Amish ignite our curiosity. We buy Amish-made products, cook Amish recipes, and read Amish fiction. We take vacations to what we call “Amish country,” those Amish-heavy regions such as Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and Holmes County, Ohio. While there, we look for glimpses of them from our cars and discreetly snap photographs from a distance. We wonder what it would be like to live without constant interruptions, the stresses of modern life, and the intrusions of technology. Once in a while, we think we might like to be one of them, to live as they do.
Usually, those thoughts pass just as quickly as they come, for we know we couldn't survive without television, without e-mail, without driving. We don't really want to be one of them, and yet the allure remains. The Amish themselves don't always understand our attraction either, but in response a wise Amish man once issued the following challenge:
If you admire our faith, strengthen yours.
If you admire our sense of commitment, deepen yours.
If you admire our community spirit, build one.
If you admire the simple life, cut back.
If you admire quality merchandise or land stewardship, then make quality.
If you admire deep character and enduring values, live them
.
This popular saying is frequently posted on the walls of restaurants and tourist attractions in Amish country. The first time I saw it, I understood why its message was so important. We can't all be Amish, but in many ways, we would do well to follow their example.
Unfortunately, that's not always easy to do. Given the vast proliferation of Amish-related myths, inaccuracies, and outright fallacies that are out thereâonline, in print, in the movies, and moreâit's easy to misunderstand even the most basic facts about the Amish. The goal of this book is to clear up many of those misconceptions by providing accurate information about these people and the lives they lead.
In these pages I have chosen to focus primarily on the largest and most well-known affiliation, the Old Order Amish. Practices vary, however, so in order to avoid definitive statements that do not hold true for all Amish affiliations, or even for all Old Order districts, I use words such as “usually” and “most” and “many” whenever describing Amish life and regulations.
Finally, though the Amish have terms to describe those who are not Amishâsuch as “English” or “fancy”âI will most often use “non-Amish” and “outsider.” These seem appropriate because this guide is looking in on Amish life from the outside rather than the other way around.
Living near Lancaster County myself, I have developed great respect for the Amish over the years. Though I could never live as they do, I understand why it works for them. I do not see them through rose-colored glasses, nor do I pass judgment on their more incomprehensible regulations. The subject is so complex, in fact, that for this book I have chosen simply to observe, question, read, study, watch, interview, and report. This process has confirmed to me that while the Amish themselves are “just people” like the rest of us, their way of life is utterly foreign to our own, the choices they make are unique, and their ways are genuinely worthy of study.