And for that matter, people of other faiths?
Our Lancaster Amish correspondent has weighed in on the question, recently submitted by a curious reader.
Here is his response:
One of the most important lessons that I learned was taught to me by a Jewish businessman, in that he said there are no problems, merely situations that need solutions. Jewish people are unique human beings,just like everyone else (sounds like a saying of Yogi Berra). Culturally and historically Jews and the Amish have much in common, in that both suffered much persecution in their history and both have meaningful traditions.
Recently I along with a number of Amish bishops,ministers, laypeople, and their wives, took a tour of the Holocaust museum in D.C. It was a profound and moving experience. How is it possible that this happened less than 75 years ago, in one of the most civilized nations on earth. Truly all that is necessary for evil to gain the upper hand is for civilized people to compromise their beliefs and do nothing. Then the haunting question comes to mind, could it happen again. While we want to appreciate any respite from persecution we get, may we never become the persecutors.
Theologically the Amish are Christocentric, while the Jewish people generally are not.
Although the Amish take following Jesus seriously that doesn’t mean we condemn the Jews or anyone else of any other faith. The Amish do not send anyone to hell. They can’t, and neither can anyone else, which is a good thing. We have great respect for any faith that teaches its adherents to Honor and Obey God and to love others.
With all that being said, I should make several points to fully convey what the Amish typically feel about other faiths in general. First we do not believe that all paths lead to God.Yet we acknowledge that everyone has a unique path. God is a rewarder of all who seek him, and will not turn his back on any of his creations. However if you or I turn our backs on God and follow a path away from God, the logical conclusion can only be that God cannot be found in such a way.
The second point is the Amish are not relativists. We have definite ideas about right and wrong, truth and lies. However the Bible is a mirror we should use to examine our lives with, and not a spotlight to shine on others and try to figure out who is going to hell and who is going to heaven.
When thinking about right and wrong, the focus should be on ourselves first of all. This life here on earth involves a lot of different relationships, but ultimately in the end, on judgment day, it will be each person alone with God. We will not be able to blame our shortcomings on anyone else, tormentors, persecutors, parents, siblings, bishops, pastors, teachers,or anyone else. Neither will we be able to put in a good word for anyone.
In conclusion we love God because he first loved us, and we should seek his grace rather than his favor, which is reason enough not to judge. We acknowledge we are imperfect, and sinners who need help (grace). The Amish do not judge those of other faiths and denominations, but are not inclined to compromise their own beliefs merely to be accommodating. And to refute a certain stereotype, the Amish do not believe they are the only right ones and all the others wrong.
Enjoy this post? Subscribe by email to get updates from Amish America:
11 responses to Ask an Amishman: What do the Amish think about Jews?
Well said. Very interesting, thank you for posting this.
Yes indeed it is well spoken. To many times we blame everyone but us for how we are or what we do. And we like to nit pick everyone else’s faults while ignoring our own. This is something I believe that ties in with your post. *You don’t always have a choice what happens to you in life, but you do have a choice in how you react to it.*
Could somebody please tell me how I can find an Amish wife? I’m a single,never married Jewish Christian who loves farming, always being here for a woman, showing her over 350% respect and attention AT ALL TIMES, am handsome (can provide pic), 53, totally out of debt, have job security in the medical field for my entire life…The Amish are the best…need companionship in my life…ty, Evan:508-376-1048; evanbgessman@gmail.com. I seldom check my email, so calling me would be the best way to reach me…Evan
Ask an Amishman: What do the Amish think about Jews?
May I add “Well said” also.
The last few paragraphs call to mind the verse from Matthew about removing the plank from your own eye before trying to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
“the Bible is a mirror we should use to examine our lives with, and not a spotlight to shine on others”
That is a refreshing change of pace from what I hear most days. Thank you.
Mr. Gessman,
If you are serious about this, you are going about it all wrong. First of all, the Amish avoid marriage outside of their own society. Second, the Amish avoid anything having to do with technology, like the Internet.
This is becoming ridiculous ! How did the Amish suddenly become America’s most wanted for dating, marriage and copying their lifestyle. For goodness sake. leave them alone. They don’t hold the moratorium on happiness, perfect wives/husbands, etc. Try turning off your electricity,television, and don’t use your car, dress plain including no makeup, cook and bake from scratch and get up and go to sleep with the sun. I bet you wouldn’t last a week, let alone for the rest of your lives.
Ask an Amishman: What do the Amish think about Jews?
I would like to move to Lancaster/Pa. I am Jewish . I am a mom with a precious special needs daughter,adopted.She is almost 17. I would like to live near people who live a more natural but gentle and principled life. I make handmade crafts ,and I am the daughter of a great American artist from Colorado.We love nature. I am lost and confused by the culture at this point. I know that it is childish to think that we can be Amish,but I’d like to live near enough to breathe in some of the simpler more basic lifestyle. Can you tell me such a place near enough but not encroaching. Thank you Jorgiana
Ask an Amishman: What do the Amish think about Jews?
How fortunate to have grown up Amish
I continue to be touched by the goodness of the Amish. The whole focus is on Christ and how to live a life that honors him. It is difficult living in a non-Amish world. While I can use candles, gas, and avoid most technology (which I think is destroying us as a society, I work to support my family and there it is impossible to avoid those things. I would be blessed if my family agreed to give up all worldly things so I didn’t have to work and instead let us focus on God. What a wonderful life to live honoring God every day in thought,prayer, and deed and have a community support you in that. It saddens me to watch this world destroy itself by their lack of belief in God. The way they dress, conduct themselves, and disrespect for each other is only getting worse. I truly believe God is my center and know that if only one focused on him in all things they did, the world wouldn’t be in the place it is. It gives me peace at least to know, that God is still strong in those who truly live their lives in his way, as the Amish have done and continue to do so.
Ask an Amishman: What do the Amish think about Jews?
What do the Amish Think About Jews
@ Diana -Many Amish use kerosene lamps and battery operated ones according to their particular order.
Ask an Amishman
Why do the Amish reject technology when many of the things they use are the result of technology, like the horse-drawn buggy for one? God gave us a brain to create things, like computers, the Internet, and medical developments. Do the Amish believe we must reject these things to get closer to God?
1 Trackbacks / Pingbacks to
How are the Amish dealing with the recession? | Amish America Comment on Ask an Amishman: What do the Amish think about Jews? (February 2nd, 2010 at 09:37)
[...] He sells Plain clothing, not just to Amish but to Old Order Mennonites, Hutterites, and even Orthodox Jews. He is apparently coming off of his best year ever and was excited to talk to me (and vice versa [...]
Leave a reply to Ask an Amishman: What do the Amish think about Jews?