Comment on Amish and the public by Magdalena.
As theologically conservative Anglicans, and Plain people, who think much as the Amish do about being involved in the world. We did accept my husband’s Canada pension ofr his disability, as it required contributions from him throughout his working life, and he does not qualify for the church pension for two years more. We would not be exempt from contributions to our national pension plan, as msot Anglicans do not see any issue with it.
Involvement with the police as victims of crime would be another matter. Although we have lost farm tools and household items to theft, and have even known who (probably) took them, it would not be likely we would go to the police. First, they were items of low value and the injury was slight, and as in the well-known “turn the other cheek” passage, Jesus also says to let the robber have your tunic as well as your cloak. We don’t have many items of greater value. If someone were to steal our only vehicle, I would prefer to call in the police for its possible recovery and to help stop the criminals before they got a taste for the work and started robbing other people. The possibility that anyone would steal my 2004 beat-up Dodge Dakota is pretty low, though.
I think the assaulted Amish in this incident were right to cooperate with the police. The threat remained that it would happen to someone else,and violence escalates. This Bergholz group, from what I hear, needs to be checked. They have caused trouble before and can’t rightly be cosndiered as truly Amish since they have crossed the line of violence. While even Amish people may strike out in anger occasionally,a nd family violence isn’t unknown, this was planned as revenge, far from a Christian action.
As for the little boy who needs medical care, if someone will provide a contact address for his church, perhaps other people here would like to help. I will publicize the need if I have more information.
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