Lately we’ve seen many articles, books, and even TV programs about Amish leaving their communities.
Below, a video interview of brothers John and Joe Yoder, who recently left their Texas Amish community.
Why so much interest in former Amish?
On the one hand, there is something compelling about an individual who bucks the system. Especially when it’s such a strong group as the Amish.
The rebellion story is a classic. It’s inherently a dramatic, conflict-filled thing, requiring a level of courage (or, some might say arrogance and pride) to reject authority and strike off on one’s own. Spiritual conversion stories are doubly compelling.
I’d imagine it also has something to do with the limits of reporting on Amish.
If you’re looking to write about Amish spirituality, it’s much harder to get an Amish person to talk to media, especially about church issues. For someone who has left, speaking out can be cathartic. It might also be seen as part of a newfound evangelical mission.
In the video, the brothers talk much about being guided by experience, and finding the Truth, with a Southern Colonial home renovation project (the brothers are builders) as a backdrop.
John, who has an almost preacher-like manner, points again and again to the Bible; ”modern stuff,” he stresses, “has nothing to do with it”. At the end, John leaves the door open to being led by the Lord “back to an Amish community”.
What struck me was their conviction that what they did was right, and, sadly, how they seem to speak of their family at points in the past tense.
The weakness of most such stories is, of course, that they are told from just the one standpoint.
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19 responses to Leaving the Amish: A Texas ex-Amish story
www.Amishstorys.com
I like to read and listen to someone who was Amish at one time, and I’ve dropped by a few web sites that feature ex-Amish on them. And with a video like this, as long as I’m not getting the feeling that someone is trying to trash and cash-in on the Amish life style I’m ok with it. Most of my own family has gone in different directions, so i can relate to a little of what these former Amish are saying. Not my immediate family of course, but cousins aunts and uncles. I knew An Amish family that all went new order Mennonite, and as far as i know they all kept in contact with their families. So maybe its “how” you leave as apposed to “if” you leave that makes the difference in the consequences. Richard from Lebanon county’s Amish community.
Leaving the Amish: A Texas ex-Amish story
Through my 59 years of existence as a Earth creature I have come to find that there is always many stories behind a story…
I loved John Yoder’s testimony. His love for the Lord will never fail him. Sad to hear of families separating because of spiritual beliefs but it happens frequently and in many faiths. It is hard to leave traditions for truth. It is hard to accept truth in the comfort of traditions. Pray the best for them.
Well said Tom K. I agree. By the way you have a good name.
Amy JO – AMEN to what you said, “Sad to hear of families separating because of spiritual belief but it happens frequently and in many faiths”!! How true – when I converted to Lutheran from Catholic, my mother was crushed! I am thankful in this instance that my father was not alive – it would have made him very sad to know that I left the Church… and there is such a small jump from Lutheran to Catholic as compared to leaving the Amish church. We also know some folks that left the Jewish religion to become Christians; they had an even harder time than we did – very similiar to what the Amish sometimes go through. I don’t think that the repercussions of changing religion is any greater, or lesser, for one religion than another, it’s just that we focus on the Amish for so many other reasons that we think it is a greater issue for them…. just an opinion.
Leaving the Amish: A Texas ex-Amish story
These two men made it sound as though the Amish group they were with doesn’t beleive in Christ alone, but in works. Maybe I’m wrong because they were not specific. Either way I agree that it was good for them to do what they felt necessary to grow their faith.
www.Amishstorys.com
I think its always better in being happier and comfortable in your own skin. So in their case, to be Amish and miserable wont do anyone any good. I wish these young men much luck, and to be re- united with their families a little down the road after the anger subsides. Richard from Lebanon county’s Amish community.
LEAVING THE AMISH: A TEXAS EX-AMISH STORY
THIS WITNESS FOR JESUS CHRIST TOUCHED MY HEART AND BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES. PRAISE GOD FOR HIS FAITHFULNESS TO THOSE WHO READ AND BELIEVE HIS WORD.
I GREW UP AMONG THE AMISH AND THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE, BUT THEY TRUST THEIR WORKS MORE THAN THE WORD OF GOD. I PRAY THAT THEY ALL WOULD BE RELEASED FROM THE BONDAGE OF THE LAW.
GOD BLESS THESE BROTHERS.
In thinking about this story and other stories I’ve read about
“leaving the Amish”,I have a thought and a question.
It would be interesting to interview the Yoder brothers 20 years
from now to see where their journey has led them including whether or not communication with their Amish relatives has improved.
Are there any stories of ex-Amish who left the Amish faith
primarily because their fellow Amish church members “let them
down”in times of need? Such as, “My house burned down and only two church members came to help me rebuild, even though I always
helped other church members when they had fires.” Or, “My child had extensive surgery and had $100,000 of hospital bills and my church only gave me $100 to help pay the bills, even though
I always did my part in contributing to our district’s hospital
fund.”
Leaving the Amish: A Texas ex-Amish story
From one Tom to another Tom, Thanks
I think that the main man in the video ought to help, or minister to the young ex-Amish who may still feel like they themselves need spiritual leadership. It may not be the leading (sorry for a Society of Friends term there) his community follows, but, like he said, if the Lord leads them back, then so be it. Maybe he’ll form his own little Amish group.
follow-up
Al in Ky, I would be interested in knowing that, also. Maybe Erik has picked up something along the way.
Leaving the Amish because of lack of help?
Interesting comments from everyone, I’m just trying to catch up on all that’s been written since I’ve been gone (I was out of the country for 4 days starting last Friday).
Al, that is an interesting question (have Amish left because of not being aided by the community?) but I have not heard of anything like that. It is in the Amish DNA to help a brother and that is what you see. Not helping out would be seen as selfish and un-Christian and antithetical to what Amish and other Plain communal Christians believe.
That said, there have probably been instances (for instance in the case of extremely high medical bills) when resources have fallen short and this may exacerbate someone’s situation as an Amish person and may even cause him to question the wisdom of not carrying commercial medical insurance, etc. Off the top of my head I can’t say I’ve heard of this causing someone to leave though I imagine it’s possible.
Leaving the Amish: A Texas ex-Amish story
I know of non-believers who have all but disowned by their very Christian families for their lack of belief, or gay friends or a friend who decided not to become a doctor and totally let his family down! It seems to come down to a familie’s expectations for a person, and when they do not fulfill that role. It’s hard on everyone involved.
would like to meet w/ you or talk by phone
My husband and I were sent out by the Assemblies of God as Christian missionaries in 1999. In 2003 the Holy Ghost spoke to me and told me that the way the Amish live, which is basically a sustainable lifestyle leaving a light footprint on the earth, was a good idea and that someday people would be looking to the Amish to learn from them (practical things about gardening, horse farming, etc.) God said we would call ourselves New Amish. Later we found in Texas a distant cousin of my husband’s who is “independent Amish”. We tried to join the Amish but found that we would not be allowed to do so because we had both been previously married. My husband got married at 18 and it lasted a few weeks. He had picked the wrong person. I got married to an educated man who beat me up so badly for no reason I was nearly permanently crippled. I would not be alive to be writing this if I had stayed married to Jon. The Amish told us that the only way we could be Amish was that we would have to return to our first spouses or our first spouses would have to pass away.
We so enjoyed Paul’s cousins’ lifestyle ranching with horses and farming with them and the personal purity of their lives that we were devastated to learn we were “unworthy” of being Amish. We decided that we could be “New Amish”, a way of being in harmony with God, man, animals, the earth and plants even if we could not formally be accepted as Amish. It turns out we found there were at least twelve sub-groups of Amish and even the most progressive of these, the Beachy Amish who are evangelizing in Belize to people of all races and to the Sioux Indian tribes in America would not allow us because of our once-divorced history. What is strange is that some Amish divorce and are still allowed to be Amish if they were born into the Amish as a baby. Oh, well!
We are trying through an intentional community website that listed all types of planned communities to start a New Amish community or series of communities in Texas. Since more and more people are suffering from EI (environmental illness) also called MCS (multiple chemical sensitivity) we plan an outreach to people who have become allergic to our modern world. We do have a truck, but also horses that we train ourselves and plan on taking a horse farming class this fall from the Homestead Heritage group in Elm Mott Texas. These people live in such a similar manner to the rest of the Amish that visiting there felt like “going home”.
The e-mail for our community is newamish@gmail.com.
Blessings.
Leaving the Amish: A Texas ex-Amish story
Amish in TX
Why do you find it necessary to use the word Amish to live a simple life–or live life simply?
Some “born” Amish divorce, but did you ask if they were permitted to remarry?
A beautiful testimony
This is the most beautiful testimony. Considering the history of the Amish, the effort to establish a clear understanding od God’s Word, backed up by obedience, I see God’s hand all over this. This is less about “leaving Amish” and more about following Jesus. Both men spoke of forsaking even family, and finding something better than family. Family is everything to the Amish, and I don’t mean the stereotype of quiet perfect godly families, I mean sticking it out together, working, eating, hurting, failing, rebelling, and forgiving. These men have clearly been Born Again of the Holy Spirit. Regardless of their smiles, the weight they carry for the lost in their families is heavy. I know because I have carried that weight. I pray with them that God does a great work in restoring the Amish Nation to His heart where they first began. Amen.
Sincerely,
Andy White
Leaving the Amish: A Texas ex-Amish story
Andy White's comment
What a beautiful statement Andy White has made. I became New Amish in 2003, a way of following the Amish way of life while still relating somewhat to the modern world. Also, this is “full gospel” Amishness with the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Believing “up to God, down to earth, out to man and the animals”. Restoring faith, man and the planet, all at the same time. Three cheers for Andy White. Christ treated all of us the same. men and women, free and bond, rich and poor, all humans. Can we do less than He if we follow Him?
Love and blessings,
Sister Katy
newamish@gmail.com
Leaving the Amish: A Texas ex-Amish story
Thank you!
i appreciate your kind words and observations, all glory to Jesus our Savior!
Sincerely,
In Jesus,
Andy White
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