The Amish: A to Z
An online resource on Amish culture
The Amish: A to Z covers a diverse range of topics, including Amish life, culture, and belief.
The 150+ articles below are based on academic research, author experience, and input from Amish themselves – including church leaders, lay members, and historians. You’ll find sources of further information at the end of each article.
A
Agriculture
Do all Amish farm? – A look at Amish dairy farming, produce farming, organic agriculture, as well as alternative occupations such as factory work and small business.
Do Amish use pesticides? – Explaining the Amish approach to chemicals and fertilizers on the farm. Answers the question: “Are Amish farms organic?”
What foods and crops do Amish farmers produce? – An outline of the various crops and foods coming from Amish farms, including dairy products, tobacco, produce, and animal products.
see also Barn-raising
Alcohol
Anabaptists
Who were the Anabaptists? – A brief discussion of the history of the Anabaptists, European predecessors to Amish, Mennonites and other groups.
Andy Weaver Amish
Who are the Andy Weaver Amish? – The Andy Weaver Amish are an affiliation found primarily in Holmes County in Ohio. A look at the origin of this group, their approach to technology, youth retention rate, and so on.
Auctions
Where can I find an Amish auction? – What are the different types of Amish auctions? A look at “mud sales”, school auctions, benefit auctions (eg. Haiti auctions), and others. Information on where auctions take place.
Ausbund
What is the Ausbund?– The Amish church hymnal is over 400 years old. How do the Amish use the Ausbund in worship service and what is Amish church singing like?
see also Song and Singing
B
Baptism
When do Amish get baptized? – A look at how Amish baptism works – typical age at baptism, reasons for adult baptism among Amish, reasons that Amish youth choose to join the church, what the Amish baptismal ceremony is like, and typical youth retention rates.
How do Amish youth prepare for baptism? – A description of the different steps Amish youth must take in preparing for baptism and series of instructional meetings based on the 18 articles of the Dordrecht Confession. What is Baptismal Sunday like and what kinds of questions are candidates asked at the service?
Barn raising
What happens at an Amish barn-raising? – The barn-raising as an example of Amish mutual aid, how a barn-raising is organized, and example of other communal work projects among Amish.
Beachy Amish
What’s the difference between Beachy Amish and Old Order Amish?– A comparison of the differences and similarities between Beachy and Old Order Amish. The origin of the Beachy Amish, Beachy beliefs and approach to technology.
Beliefs
see Religion; Church
Bible
Do Amish read the Bible? Which Bible do the Amish use? – Answering the question “Do Amish read the Bible?” A look at German and English versions of the Bible used by Amish, other Amish books and reading materials such as songbooks, religious and secular reading.
Bishop
see Church: Who leads the Amish church?
Black Amish
Buggies
Do all Amish use the Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) triangle? – Reasons for the SMV triangle, why some Amish object to the SMV triangle, court cases and compromises over buggy safety.
What colors are Amish buggies? – A look at the various Amish buggy colors – black, gray, white, and others, as well as the open-top buggies of the Swiss Amish.
Why do the Amish drive buggies? – Why do Amish reject owning the car in favor of horse-drawn travel? Practical and symbolic reasons for the buggy, Amish attitudes towards cars, Amish usage of automobile transportation.
What are some tips for driving safely around buggies?
see also Transportation
Business
What are typical Amish businesses? – A look at the various types of Amish enterprises, Amish women in business, unusual Amish businesses, and the number and size of Amish companies.
C
Children
Do Amish use birth control? – On Amish attitudes to family planning. Is birth control acceptable to Amish? Are there exceptions?
How do Amish discipline children? – Why Amish believe in disciplining children; discipline in schools; behavior of Amish children.
How many children do Amish have? – Typical Amish family sizes; how family sizes differ across Amish groups.
Where are Amish babies born? – A look at Amish births in hospitals, birthing centers and at home. Reasons for some Amish preferring home birth; controversy concerning home birth.
Why don’t Amish discuss pregnancy? – Why pregnancy is a generally taboo topic for public discussion; how Amish talk about it, when they do.
Christmas
Do Amish celebrate Christmas? – A look at Amish Christmas celebrations, including family gatherings, church, gift-giving traditions, food, and more. Do Amish have a Santa Claus custom? What is “Old Christmas” and why do some Amish celebrate it?
see also Holidays
Church
A Comprehensive Guide to Amish Church – A top-to-bottom look at Amish church structure and practices. Church leaders, church service, customs and special services.
Do Amish work on Sundays?
How do Amish prepare their homes for church?
Who leads the Amish church? – Description of the roles and duties of the Amish bishop, minister, and deacon. How Amish ministers are chosen.
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 & Appearance
Do Amish women wear makeup?
Why do Amish women cover their hair?
Why do the Amish wear Plain clothing? – Outlines various reasons for Plain dress, including modesty, simplicity, and Scriptural reasons; groups such as Mennonites and Hutterites who also dress Plain.
Communities
Which are the largest Amish communities?– On the ten largest Amish communities by population.
Which are the oldest Amish communities? – On the ten oldest existing Amish communities.
Which states have the most Amish? – The fifteen states with the largest Amish populations.
Computers
see Technology
D
Dating
see also Marriage; Rumspringa
Deacon
see Church: Who leads the Amish church?
Death
What is an Amish funeral like? – On Amish beliefs and practices surrounding death, including preparing the body’ the viewing, description of the funeral service, the Amish cemetery and burial.
Where do Amish bury their dead? – A description of Amish cemeteries, gravestones, and caskets.
Diversity
How many types of Amish are there?– Outlines differences between various Amish groups; examines how Amish communities are organized; discusses the concept of dien or being in fellowship, exchanging ministers, shunning, and the Ordnung.
Divorce
Can Amish get divorced? – Amish beliefs on divorce, separation, and remarriage.
see also Marriage
E
Education
Do Amish children go to school?
Do Amish go to college?
Why do Amish only go to school until 8th grade? – Reasons for limited Amish formal education; description of the Amish schoolhouse; teachers and their qualifications; the school day; historical conflict over Amish schooling; Amish learning after 8th grade.
Electricity
Do Amish use batteries?
Do Amish use electricity? – Why Amish avoid public power; what Amish use electricity for; how Amish generate power; how Amish light homes and keep food cold; use of power in Amish businesses; buggy lighting.
Do Amish use solar power?
Entertainment
see Recreation
Entrepreneurship
see Business
Europe
Are the Amish German?
Do Amish live in Europe? – On the last Amish settlement in Europe and its disappearance; Beachy Amish in Europe.
see also Origins
Excommunication
see Shunning; Ordnung
F
Farming
see Agriculture
Food
Do Amish eat pork?
Do Amish drink coffee?
What do Amish eat? – A description of Amish diets, including home-grown and store-bought foods, Amish baked goods and prepared meals, restaurant food; consumption of alcohol among Amish; Sunday church meal; changes in the Amish diet.
Do Amish eat fast food?
Amish Whoopie Pies
Firearms
Do Amish use guns? – On Amish beliefs of non-resistance; Amish use of guns in hunting and pest control.
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 visit doctors? – On the various Amish approaches to medical care; Amish and medical insurance; relationship with medical professionals; long-distance travel for medical care; traditional remedies among Amish.
Do Amish have genetic disorders? – Types of genetic diseases seen in Amish and Mennonite populations; reasons for hereditary diseases; treatment for 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? – On religious and secular holidays celebrated by Amish; how Amish employers adapt holiday schedule for non-Amish employees.
How do Amish celebrate Easter?
How do Amish celebrate Christmas?
Do Amish celebrate the 4th of July?
Do Amish celebrate Halloween?
Do Amish celebrate Valentine’s Day?
Do Amish celebrate Thanksgiving?
How do Amish observe Ascension Day?
What lesser-known holidays do Amish observe?
Homes
How do Amish heat their homes? – On the use of gas, coal, and wood stoves and ovens to heat Amish homes.
How do Amish wash clothes? – On the use of wringer washers; how Amish power wringer washers; how Amish dry clothing.
What are Amish homes like?
Where do Amish go shopping? – Discussion of the various venues where Amish shop, including dry goods and salvage stores, Wal-Mart and other supermarkets, Spector’s, auctions, mail-order.
Hunting
Do Amish hunt? – A look at reasons Amish enjoy hunting, where and what Amish hunt, and disagreement among Amish over 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? – Amish use of Pennsylvania German; Swiss Amish dialect; use of High German in church; Amish use of English.
Legal
Why don’t Amish sue? – Discussion of Amish Two Kingdoms doctrine; Amish involvement in legal cases; controversy over reporting crimes.
M
Marriage
Can Amish marry non-Amish?
Do Amish wear wedding rings?
When do Amish get married? – Typical age at marriage; requirements for being married; Amish views on remarriage.
What do Amish brides wear?
What is an Amish “wedding wagon”?
Do Amish remarry?
Do Amish practice polygamy?
Medicine
see Health
Mennonites
Mennonite vs Amish – What’s the difference between Amish and Mennonites? Diversity in the Amish and Mennonite world; similarities with Old Order Mennonites; Amish cooperation with Mennonites; “higher” Mennonite churches.
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 Amish use banks? – Amish use of checking, loans, and banks.
Do the Amish use money? – Amish use of banks, checks, and credit cards.
How do Amish make money? – A review of typical Amish occupations, including farming, factory work, and small business.
Do the Amish practice communism?
see also Business; Taxes
Music
see Song and Singing
Myths
What are common myths about the Amish? – A look at various misconceptions of the Amish, such as the blue gate myth, marriage between cousins, multiple wives, organic food, technology as evil.
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
The Amish Church Ordnung – What is the Amish Ordnung? What the Ordnung prohibits and prescribes; purpose of the Ordnung; how the Ordnung is created and changes; violating the Ordnung.
How do Amish review the (unwritten) Ordnung?
Origins
Where do the Amish come from? – Amish Anabaptist roots in Europe; martyr history; Jakob Amman and the 1693 division; migration to America.
P
Pacifism
see Non-Resistance
Pen Pal
How can I find an Amish pen-pal? – Two recommendations in response to this common request.
Photography
What do Amish think about photography? – Amish opinions on photography; posed vs. unposed photos; ways photographers make photos of the Amish; children and photography; tourist photos.
Do Amish believe taking a photo captures their souls?
Politics
Do Amish vote? – Amish political participation; voting rates among Amish; campaigns targeted towards Amish supporting past candidates.
Population
How are Amish communities organized? – A look at differences between Amish “settlements”, “affiliations”, and “church districts”.
How fast are the Amish growing? – The rate of growth of the Amish population in North America; reasons for high growth; challenges to growth and expansion.
Where do the Amish live? – The main areas of settlement of Amish in the USA and Canada; Amish migration.
Puppy Mills
Q
R
Recreation
Do Amish go on vacation? – A look at typical vacation activities favored by Amish, including visits to relatives, historical sites, the Pinecraft community in Florida, as well as hunting and fishing trips.
What do Amish do for fun? – Recreational activities common among Amish, including visiting, hunting, fishing, birdwatching, sports, board and card games, reading.
see also Sports
Religion
What is the Dordrecht Confession?
What do Amish think about other religions? – Amish attitudes and opinions on other Christian, as well as non-Christian, denominations.
Rumspringa
Rumspringa – What is Rumspringa? A look at this period of Amish adolescence, the purpose of Rumspringa, myths connected to Rumspringa, youth behavior, the Lancaster County drug bust, and media portrayals of Rumspringa.
S
School
see Education
Shunning
The Amish & shunning – Why do Amish practice shunning? Reasons for Amish practice of shunning; Scriptural support for social avoidance; how long shunning lasts; differences in strong and mild shunning; other groups that practice shunning; criticisms of shunning.
Can Amish leave and come back?
Smoking and Tobacco
Song and Singing
Do Amish enjoy music and singing? – The Amish experience with song and music, including church songs, songs in school, youth singings, musical instruments, and popular music.
see also Ausbund
Spirituality
see Religion
Sports
Do Amish play sports? – Amish views on sports, and descriptions of the various sports Amish play, including softball, volleyball, basketball, hockey, cornerball, and others; Amish as sports spectators.
Steering Committee
What is the Amish Steering Committee?
Swartzentruber Amish
Swartzentruber Amish – Who are the Swartzentruber Amish? A look at the origin, customs, beliefs, technology, occupations, approach to health care, and other topics related to the conservative Swartzentruber Amish; where Swartzentruber Amish live.
Swiss Amish
Swiss Amish – Who are the Swiss Amish? On the origin, cultural practices, open buggies, cemeteries and other topics related to the Swiss Amish; where Swiss Amish communities are found.
T
Taxes
Do Amish pay taxes? – An explanation of taxes which Amish pay, and the Amish exemption from Social Security and worker’s compensation.
Technology
Do Amish use technology? – A look at how and why Amish use technology selectively; the Ordnung and technology; the concept of usage vs. ownership; technologies used by Amish; how Amish regulate the pace of change.
Do the Amish use computers and the internet? – On Amish exposure to and usage of computers and the internet in non-Amish workplaces, through smartphones, etc; ownership vs. usage; third-party help for online advertising; the Plain word processor “Classic”.
Telephone
Do Amish use telephones? – Why Amish forbid telephones in the home; the history of Amish and telephones; the telephone “shanty” solution; telephones in businesses and barns; Amish and the smartphone.
Tourism
What do Amish think about tourism? – On the benefits and drawbacks of Amish tourism; typical Amish tourist activities; Amish participation in tourism.
How can I stay with an Amish family? – Some ideas on how to experience a stay in an Amish home.
Can I pay to stay on an Amish farm?
Transportation
Can Amish fly? – Reasons Amish object to air travel; which affiliation of Amish does allow flying; flying in emergencies.
How do Amish travel? – Describes the various means of travel used by Amish, including the horse-and-buggy, automobile, bus, train, bicycle, and so on.
see also Buggies
U
V
Vaccination
Do Amish vaccinate their children? – A look at the rate of vaccination among Amish, and reasons for generally lower levels of immunization.
Voting
see Politics
W
Wedding
see Marriage
Women
Amish Women – A look at typical roles of Amish women; the position of Amish women compared to Amish men; working Amish females; the question “Are Amish women happy?”
X
Y
Youth
What happens at an Amish youth singing?
see also Rumspringa
Z
