Every four years inquisitive reporters try to discern what the Amish are planning to do in the upcoming presidential election. Â I think this is partly due to natural curiosity–what do a “people apart” think about a civic activity such as voting? But mainly I believe people are interested because the largest Amish populations are found in Ohio and Pennsylvania, two swing states heavily contested in…
News came earlier this week that the long-running dispute between Amish and authorities in Morristown, New York, has come to an end.  You might remember a post last spring on the Amish smoke alarm issue; if you viewed the PBS documentary The Amish you would have seen this case discussed. To review, Amish had refused to follow local building codes (updated by the town in 2006), arguing…
A black walnut dental treatment is apparently enjoying popularity in Amish (and I assume other) circles.  Black walnut extract is claimed to fix cavities, cracks, and toothaches. A local dentist, however, says it doesn’t work. Dr. Stephen Raffensperger is quoted on the treatment in this article.  He is adamant that it does not do what it claims.  But  he’s not being listened to. “If I…
I am speaking with someone shortly for a story on use of the Amish name to sell products. Â I’ve found this a topic people react strongly to. Doing anything involving the Amish name to make a buck is obviously exploiting them, after all. I’ve also found that with reflection some see it differently. There are a number of topics like this, where there is sort…
There is apparently one Amish-attended event where cameras are not at all welcome: dog auctions. Or at least undercover cameras aren’t. WFMY News reports that a producer and videographer working incognito were tossed from a recent Millersburg auction and threatened with arrest. I can’t say I’m too surprised, given that it was on private property. Â And given that there is a reported ban on recording…
Not all Amish vaccinate their children, with concerns over safety, money and thwarting God’s will. Â Amish apparently also vaccinate their horses at a lower rate. Human vaccination has been a hot issue for many years. Â We don’t really think as much about animal vaccinations. Â However animal-borne diseases are a potential danger, and not just to a farmer’s bottom line. Officials in New York are trying…
Three weeks ago Amish outhouse troubles made local news in Ohio. Â The story seems to be repeating itself in Kansas, but this one is being picked up by national media. Bourbon County officials have asked Amish near Fort Scott to comply with outhouse regulations. Â These include installing a $1,000 holding tank, and paying to have them pumped out every 1-2 years. The Fort Scott settlement…
Can you be Amish, and also a gay person? A reader writes: I am sure there must be some Amish kids that are gay. I wonder how their parents and church handle this, as well as how the gay kids deal with it. Any idea where I might find this info? The short answer is that Amish view homosexual behavior as a sin. And like…
Do you remember the controversy over busing Amish students in New York back in January? By a 6-0 vote, the Marathon school board has elected to offer the Amish “special busing”, which will apparently do enough to alleviate Amish concerns.  To recap the Amish side: The Old Order Amish community in the hill towns around Marathon had sought separate busing for their children on a schedule…
Welcome to the not-so-scenic side of Amish country. The Amish of Hardin County, Ohio (aka Kenton Amish) are in the news for violating waste disposal rules. Â Local officials warned Amish some months back that new outhouses will need a sealed concrete tank, and that they’ll need to pay for a waste removal service. A local news outlet caught up with bishop Elmer Bontrager on…