Month: July 2009

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‘Joining’ the Amish: Russell Maniaci and the Amish mission movement

Outsiders often express an interest in joining the Amish.  The Amish traditionally do not seek out converts.  In one example related by John Hostetler in Amish Society, a particularly zealous outsider–though never actually formally joining an Amish congregation–did much to stir up Amish circles in the 1950s.  As Hostetler writes: When outsiders join, or attempt to join, the Amish church, issues may arise that polarize…