The Amish

THE
AMISH
HISTORY
• During the Reformation, some religious reformers
preached that the believer should separate
themselves from all secular activities.
• One of the largest groups, the Anabaptists

promoted:
baptism during adulthood after confession of faith,
instead of during infancy
the total separation of religion from and state
worship services in the home rather than at church
HISTORY
• The religious
movements that they
founded are called
"free churches" as
contrasted to the
state churches which
were normal for the
time.
MENNONITES AND AMISH
• The Mennonites are named after Menno Simons (1496-
1561), a Dutch Anabaptist leader.
They were severely persecuted and fled to
Switzerland and other more remote areas of Europe.
• The Amish began as a split-off sect of the Swiss

Mennonites during the late 17th century.
Their founder was Jacob Amman, who based his
beliefs and practices on the writings of Simons and on
the 1632 Mennonite Dordrecht Confession of Faith.
THE AMISH IN THE USA
• Some Amish migrated to the United States,
started in the early 18th century. Many Amish
started settling in Pennsylvania during the
1720's.
• Other groups settled in or moved to New York,

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri and Ohio, etc.
MEMBERSHIP
• Membership in the main Amish church, the
Old Order Amish Mennonite Church is not
reported.
• The other Amish groups are relatively small.

Probably the total of all Amish groups would
be on the order of 100,000 in 22 states.
• There are about 1,500 in Ontario, Canada.

BELIEFS
• The Amish are very conservative. Many of their beliefs are
identical to those of Fundamentalist and other Evangelical
churches, including baptism, a literal interpretation of the
Bible, etc.
• Differences include:
Their belief in remaining separate from the rest of the world.
Their rejection of involvement with the military or warfare.
They have traditionally avoided attempts to seek converts.
Recently, some Amish groups have become active in evangelization.

The Ordnung is an oral tradition which regulates the Amish way of
life.
BELIEFS
• Some of the most important beliefs held by the Amish
are vow of obedience, and closeness to nature.
• There are other regulations over societal customs such

as dress, use of inventions and no formal education
beyond elementary school.
• The fear of being shunned and excommunicated keeps

the Amish from being tempted by the outside world.
BELIEFS
• The Amish culture

is based on ideals
which are in direct
contrast with the
ideals of modern
American culture.
GELASSENHEIT
• In today's society, emphasis is placed on the
individual and their ability to achieve personal
fulfillment. In the Amish culture all emphasis is on
the community. The basic concepts of Amish
culture can best be described by the German word
Gelassenheit .
• Gelassenheit teaches Amish to be reserved,

modest, calm, and quiet. It is a way of thinking
about one's relationship with God and to become
completely submissive to God's authority.
PRACTICES
• Practices of the Old Order Amish are listed below.
Members usually speak a German dialect called Pennsylvania

Dutch (Deutsch). High German is used during worship.
They learn English at school. Schools are one-room buildings

run by the Amish. Formal education beyond Grade 8 is
discouraged, although many youth are given further instruction
in their homes after graduation.
Members do not own or use automobiles.
They do not use electricity, or have radios or TV sets.

MARRIAGE
• Marriages outside the faith are not allowed.
• Couples who plan to marry are "published" in late October.

They are married in one of their homes during November or
December.
• Men follow the laws of the Hebrew Scriptures with regards

to beards. They do not grow mustaches, because of the long
association of mustaches with the military. They usually
dress in a plain, dark colored suit.
• A bride also wears her traditional dark colors but is allowed

this once in her life to wear a white apron. The next time
she'll wear it will be at her funeral.
RELIGIOUS CELEBRATIONS
• They celebrate the traditional Christian holy days.
• They also observe a Fast Day on October 11.
• Religious services are held in the homes of members

biweekly on Sunday. They meet in a different home
each week.
• Funerals are conducted in the home without any

speeches, flower decorations, or other display. The
coffin is plain, without adornment. A simple tombstone
is erected later.
PROHIBITIONS
• They do not collect unemployment insurance or welfare.
• They maintain mutual aid funds for members who need

help with medical costs, dental bills, etc.
• They do not take photographs. This is based on the

prohibition in the second of the Ten Commandments:
"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or
any likeness of anything that...is in the earth..."
BUGGIES
• Horse-drawn transportation has been
maintained as a matter of Christian discipleship
by the most conservative elements in the
Anabaptist family.
• The Old Order Amish, and over half of those

identified as Old Order Mennonites and Old
Colony Mennonites, forbid ownership and
driving of automobiles.
DAILY LIFE
• Men get up about five a.m., feed the animals, milk the cows and process the
milk to the cans for truck delivery to the local dairy. Then they join the family
for prayer and breakfast. After that, they usually work from sunup to sunset in
the fields for planting and harvesting with a break for lunch.
• Women also get up about five a.m., help with the milking, prepare breakfast.
They work in the kitchen garden, preparing it for planting, or harvesting
vegetables for meals. If there are children, they also get them ready for school.
• Daytime household duties are done: ironing, washing dishes, baking, and
cooking lunch and dinner. Depending on the season, they can fruit and
vegetables, making jams and jellies. They also sew clothes for their families.
• Sundays are for church.

FARM WITH MILK READY FOR PICK UP
AN AMISH FARM IN OHIO
„AMISH PARADISE”
The song :)
THE AMISH THANK YOU FOR YOUR
ATTENTION!

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THE

• One of the largest groups, the Anabaptists

• The Amish began as a split-off sect of the Swiss

• Other groups settled in or moved to New York,

• The other Amish groups are relatively small.

• There are about 1,500 in Ontario, Canada.

They have traditionally avoided attempts to seek converts.

Recently, some Amish groups have become active in evangelization.

• There are other regulations over societal customs such

• The fear of being shunned and excommunicated keeps

• The Amish culture

• Gelassenheit teaches Amish to be reserved,

Members usually speak a German dialect called Pennsylvania

They learn English at school. Schools are one-room buildings

Members do not own or use automobiles.

They do not use electricity, or have radios or TV sets.

• Couples who plan to marry are "published" in late October.

• Men follow the laws of the Hebrew Scriptures with regards

• A bride also wears her traditional dark colors but is allowed

• They also observe a Fast Day on October 11.

• Religious services are held in the homes of members

• Funerals are conducted in the home without any

• They maintain mutual aid funds for members who need

• They do not take photographs. This is based on the

• The Old Order Amish, and over half of those

• Sundays are for church.

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