The Amish: A to Z (Featured Articles)

What do the Amish believe? Why do they live the way they do? Below you’ll find over 70 articles in 14 categories on Amish beliefs, rules, culture, customs and more.

1. Amish Lifestyle

1. Amish Language – Which languages do the Amish speak? Amish know (to varying degrees) three languages, including Pennsylvania Dutch. 
2. Amish Clothing – Why do Amish people dress “Plain”? A look at 6 reasons for this characteristic Amish custom. 
3. Amish Food – A look at the typical “Amish diet” – including home-grown and store-bought foods, Amish home cooking, baked goods, the Sunday church meal, and eating in restaurants.
4. Amish Jobs – How do the Amish make a living? A closer look at 6 typical Amish occupations, including farming, small businesses and factory work.
5. Amish Homes – What are Amish homes like inside? How do they heat, light, cook, keep food cool, and wash clothes?
6. Amish Recreation – What do Amish people do for fun? Amish leisure time activities, including hunting, fishing, games, sports, visiting, and more.

2. Amish Population & Communities

1. Amish Population: Where do the Amish live? – How many Amish are there? A look at the main areas where Amish live in the USA and Canada.
2. The 10 Largest Amish Communities (2024) – Key data and interesting facts on the ten largest Amish settlements.
3. How are Amish communities organized? – The differences between Amish “communities”, “church districts”, and “affiliations”.
4. Amish State Guide (32 States) – State-by-state guide to Amish communities across the nation.

3. Amish Beliefs & Customs

1. Amish Education – Why do Amish children not go to high school? What is learning like for Amish people after 8th grade? What are Amish schools like? What do Amish children learn?
2. Do the Amish Vote? – What do Amish believe about voting and politics? How many actually vote? How have campaigns targeted the Amish in the past? Are Amish more “Republican” or “Democrat”?
3. The Amish & Photos – What do Amish people believe about photography? What are the differences and exceptions?
4. Amish & the Law – Amish beliefs on the law. Do the Amish report crimes? Why don’t they file lawsuits?
5. Nonresistance – Why don’t Amish believe in military service? Do Amish use guns?
6. The Amish Barn-raising – The barn-raising as an example of Amish mutual aid. How a barn-raising is organized, and other communal work projects (frolics) among Amish.
7. What Do The Amish Believe? 20 Faith Statements – The Amish are a Christian group. This list of 20 beliefs covers the fundamentals of Amish Christian faith.

4. Amish Rules

1. Amish Church Rules – What is the Amish Ordnung? How do Amish church rules work? What happens when Amish people violate church rules?
2. The Amish & Shunning – Why do Amish practice shunning? How long does it last? What happens to a person in the Bann? Is there a Biblical basis for shunning? Differences across Amish groups. 
3. Rumspringa – What is Rumspringa? Why do Amish youth have Rumspringa? Do Amish youth behave wildly when running around? Myths and media portrayals of Rumspringa.
4. The Amish & Alcohol – Amish beliefs on alcohol. Which Amish drink alcohol and which groups are against it?
5. Do Amish People Smoke? – On the practice of smoking in some Amish groups, and raising tobacco by some Amish, for example in Lancaster County, PA.
6. The Amish & Sex – On Amish sex education, premarital sex, homosexuality, and other topics.
7. 10 “Exceptions” To Amish Rules – A look at Amish groups and individuals who act outside “the norm”.

5. The Amish Church

1. The Amish Church: How it Works – A top-to-bottom look at Amish church structure and practices. Church leaders, the church service, Amish religious customs and special services.
2. Amish Church Leaders – Description of the roles and duties of the Amish bishop, minister, and deacon. How Amish ministers are chosen.
3. Baptism in the Amish Church – At what age are Amish typically baptized? What is the Amish baptism process like? What commitments are made when baptized into an Amish church?
4. Can You Join The Amish? – Can outsiders become Amish? Do Amish try to gain converts? A look at the reality of joining the Amish, and examples of outsiders who’ve become Amish converts. 

6. Types of Amish

1. How many types of Amish are there? – A look at differences between various Amish groups.
2. Mennonite vs Amish – What’s the difference between Amish and Mennonites? Diversity in the Amish and Mennonite world; Amish similarities with Old Order Mennonites.
3. The Swartzentruber Amish – Who are the Swartzentruber Amish? The origin, customs, beliefs, technology, occupations, and more on the most traditional and conservative Amish group.
4. The New Order Amish – The New Order Amish are a unique and often misunderstood group which originated in the 1960s in Ohio. How are they different from the Old Order Amish?
5. Beachy Amish vs. Old Order Amish – A look at the differences and similarities between Beachy and Old Order Amish. The origin of the Beachy Amish, Beachy Amish beliefs, and use of technology.
6. Are There Black Amish People? – Can you be Amish as a non-white person? Some sources claim that there are “Black Amish communities”. What is the real story?

7. Amish History

1. Where do the Amish come from? – On the historical Anabaptist roots of the Amish in Europe. Who was Jakob Amman? The 1693 schism resulting in the Amish. Migration of the Amish to America.
2. Who were the Anabaptists? – A brief look at the history of the early Anabaptists, European predecessors to Amish, Mennonites and related groups.
3. Do Amish live in Europe? – On the last Old Order Amish settlement in Europe and its end. Beachy Amish in Europe.
4. The 10 Oldest Amish Communities – Amish began arriving in North America in the early-to-mid 1700s. These are their ten oldest surviving communities.

8. The Amish Family

1. Amish Family Size – How many children do Amish typically have? How family sizes differ across Amish groups.
2. Amish Marriage: Beliefs & Customs – At what age do Amish typically marry? Do Amish condone divorce or remarriage? Amish wedding traditions. What about unmarried Amish?
3. Amish Women – A look at typical roles of Amish women. The position of Amish women compared to Amish men. Do Amish women work outside the home? Are Amish women “happy”?
4. Amish Children & Discipline – How do Amish discipline their children? On spanking and corporal punishment in Amish homes and schools. 
5. Common Amish Surnames – What are the most common Amish family names? A look at different Amish last names in different communities.

9. The Amish & Technology

1. The Amish & Technology – Do Amish think tech is “evil”? How and why do Amish use technology selectively? What kinds of technologies do Amish use? How do church rules affect Amish use of technology? The pace of change in the Amish church.
2. Do Amish use electricity? – Why Amish (generally) don’t use the public electric grid. How do Amish generate power? How Amish light homes and keep food cold. Use of power in homes, businesses, and Amish buggies.
3. Amish & the Internet – Do Amish use computers? How and when do Amish people go online? What is the “Amish computer”? On smartphone use by some Amish.
4. The Amish & Phones – Why do (most) Amish forbid telephones in the home? What is an Amish phone “shanty”? Use of phones in businesses and other alternatives including the smartphone.

10. The Amish & Money

1. The Amish & Money – How the Amish spend and use money. Amish “consumer culture”.
2. Are the Amish rich? – A look at wealth among the Amish. How some Amish (business owners in particular) have become quite wealthy. Amish “land wealth”. 
3. Do Amish pay taxes? – Explaining which taxes Amish pay, and two limited religious-based exemptions (Social Security & worker’s comp). Debunking the idea that “Amish don’t pay taxes”. 
4. Amish Businesses: 8 Common Types – A look at the various types of Amish enterprises, Amish women in business, unusual Amish businesses, and the number and typical size of Amish companies.
5. Amish Auctions – What are the different types of Amish auctions? A look at “mud sales”, school auctions, benefit fundraisers, and others. Information on where auctions take place.

11. The Amish & Health Care

1. Do Amish visit doctors? – On the various Amish approaches to medical care. Reasons why Amish are often more reluctant to use conventional medical care. How do Amish pay for health care?
2. Unconventional Amish Health Practices – A look at five atypical health practices found among the Amish.
3. Amish Natural Remedies – Many Amish rely on natural and home remedies to treat ailments and illnesses. A look at five such remedies.
4. The Amish & Genetic Disorders – Types of genetic diseases seen in Amish and Mennonite populations. Reasons for hereditary diseases among Amish. Efforts to treat genetic disorders in Amish and other Plain communities.
5. The Amish & Vaccination – A look at the rate of vaccination among Amish, and reasons for generally lower levels of immunization.
6. Amish “Dentists” – On the individuals practicing gray-area “dentistry” in Amish communities.

12. Amish Holidays

1. Amish Holidays: Which ones do they celebrate? – On the religious and secular holidays observed by Amish people.
2. Lesser-known Amish Holidays – Amish observe a number of well-known American holidays. These are the more obscure holidays which Amish celebrate.
3. The Amish & Christmas – On Amish Christmas observance: family gatherings, church, gift-giving, food & more. Do Amish have a Santa Claus custom? What is the “Old Christmas” tradition?

13. Amish Transportation

1. The Amish Buggy – All about the iconic Amish buggy. Amish buggy styles, buggy safety, where buggies are made & more.
2. How do Amish travel? – Most Amish use several different means of transport besides the buggy. A look at seven of them.
3. The Amish & Scooters – Many Amish use bicycles, but a large segment permit only kick scooters. Three reasons why some Amish allow only scooters.
4. Can Amish fly in planes? – Reasons why most Amish don’t permit air travel. Which Amish are the exception to the rule? And the one special situation when all Amish may fly.

14. Visiting the Amish

1. Amish Country: Where to Go (25 Communities) – How to choose an Amish community to visit. A look at 3 different “types” of Amish communities, from the visitor’s perspective. 
2. Five Tips When Visiting Amish Country – Practical ideas on how to get the most out of your Amish country visit.
3. Lancaster County vs. Holmes County – Comparing the two largest Amish communities – from a visitor’s perspective.
4. Stay on an Amish Farm – It’s possible to stay on an Amish property in some Amish communities. A look at options in the Lancaster County community.
5. Eat a Meal in an Amish Home – It’s possible to eat a meal prepared by an Amish family in some communities. Options for several states.