An online resource on Amish culture
The Amish Online Encyclopedia examines a diverse range of topics, including Amish life, culture, and belief.
Articles are based on academic research as well as input from Amish themselves, including church leaders, lay members, and historians. Sources of further information are offered at the end of each article.
Updated March 2021
A
Agriculture
What foods and crops do Amish farmers produce?
see also Barn-raising
Alcohol
Anabaptists
Andy Weaver Amish
Who are the Andy Weaver Amish?
Auctions
Where can I find an Amish auction?
Ausbund
see also Song and Singing
B
Baptism
How do Amish youth prepare for baptism?
Barn-raising
What happens at an Amish barn-raising?
Beachy Amish
What’s the difference between Beachy Amish and Old Order Amish?
Beliefs
see Religion; Church
Bible
Bishop
see Church: Who leads the Amish church?
Buggies
Do all Amish use the Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) triangle?
What colors are Amish buggies?
Why do the Amish drive buggies?
What are some tips for driving safely around buggies?
see also Transportation
Business
What are typical Amish businesses?
C
Children
How do Amish discipline children?
How many children do Amish have?
Why don’t Amish discuss pregnancy?
Church
How do Amish prepare their homes for church?
What happens at an Amish communion service?
What is Council Meeting in the Amish church?
What is an Amish church directory?
see also Baptism; Bible
Clothing and Appearance
Why do Amish women cover their hair?
Why do the Amish wear Plain clothing?
Communities
Which are the largest Amish communities?
Which are the oldest Amish communities?
Which states have the most Amish?
Computers
see Technology
D
Dating
see also Marriage; Rumspringa
Deacon
see Church: Who leads the Amish church?
Death
What is an Amish funeral like?
Where do Amish bury their dead?
Diversity
How many types of Amish are there?
Divorce
see also Marriage
E
Education
Do Amish children go to school?
Why do Amish only go to school until 8th grade?
Electricity
Entertainment
see Recreation
Entrepreneurship
see Business
Europe
see also Origins
Excommunication
see Shunning; Ordnung
F
Farming
see Agriculture
Food
Firearms
Funeral
see Death
G
Gifts
What’s a good gift for an Amish person?
Government
see Politics; Non-resistance
Guns
see Firearms
H
Health
Do Amish have genetic disorders?
What are some Amish natural remedies?
What are some unconventional Amish health practices?
see also Vaccination; Children
Holidays
What holidays do Amish celebrate?
How do Amish celebrate Easter?
How do Amish celebrate Christmas?
Do Amish celebrate the 4th of July?
Do Amish celebrate Valentine’s Day?
How do Amish observe Ascension Day?
What lesser-known holidays do Amish observe?
Homes
How do Amish heat their homes?
Hunting
Hutterites
I
Insurance
Do Amish carry health insurance?
Internet
see Technology
J
Joining the Amish
K
L
Language
What language do the Amish speak?
Legal
M
Marriage
What is an Amish “wedding wagon”?
Medicine
see Health
Mennonites
What’s the difference between Amish and Mennonites?
Who are the “Amish Mennonites”?
Who are the Old Colony Mennonites?
Who are the Old Order (Team) Mennonites?
Military Service
see Non-Resistance
Minister
see Church: Who leads the Amish church?
Money
Do the Amish practice communism?
see also Business; Taxes
Music
see Song and Singing
Myths
What are common myths about the Amish?
N
Names
What are common Amish men’s names?
What are common Amish women’s names?
How do Amish choose baby names?
Nebraska Amish
New Order Amish
What’s the difference between New Order and Old Order Amish?
Nickel Mines
see School Shooting
Non-Resistance
Why don’t Amish serve in the military?
O
Ordnung
How do Amish review the (unwritten) Ordnung?
Origins
P
Pacifism
see Non-Resistance
Pen Pal
How can I find an Amish pen-pal?
Photography
What do Amish think about photography?
Do Amish believe taking a photo captures their souls?
Politics
Population
How are Amish communities organized?
How fast are the Amish growing?
Puppy Mills
Q
R
Recreation
see also Sports
Religion
What is the Dordrecht Confession?
What do Amish think about other religions?
Rumspringa
S
School
see Education
Shunning
Why do the Amish practice shunning?
Smoking and Tobacco
Song and Singing
Do Amish enjoy music and singing?
see also Ausbund
Spirituality
see Religion
Sports
Steering Committee
What is the Amish Steering Committee?
Swartzentruber Amish
Who are the Swartzentruber Amish?
Swiss Amish
T
Taxes
Technology
Do the Amish use computers and the internet?
Telephone
Tourism
What do Amish think about tourism?
How can I stay with an Amish family?
Can I pay to stay on an Amish farm?
Transportation
see also Buggies
U
V
Vaccination
Do Amish vaccinate their children?
Voting
see Politics
W
Wedding
see Marriage
Women
X
Y
Youth
What happens at an Amish youth singing?
see also Rumspringa
Z
Last updated: March 2021
Topic group: Beliefs Business Church Diversity History Home & Family Occupations Population Recreation Technology Tourism Transportation
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