Why do people leave the Amish? Charles Hurst and David McConnell identify two main reasons in An Amish Paradox, their study of the Amish in Holmes County, Ohio. Â According to the authors, these are “the desire for fewer lifestyle restrictions”, and “the desire for a more intense religious experience.” Ex-Amish have created a number of venues which provide support to former members. The Former Amish…
You asked some great questions. Â I originally said I would just choose some of them to answer. Â But in the end I decided to answer them all. Â It took about 5 hours, so I hope you enjoy it. Â I certainly did. But before we get to that, we have three winners of Success Made Simple: An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive. Â As usual,…
“It’s like standing on the edge of a cliff with nothing but darkness…you don’t know what’s down there. Â But you just know you’re gonna jump.” National Geographic is currently airing “Amish: Out of the Order”, a program about leaving the Amish. Â I’ve posted a clip below. Â Curious to hear your comments. I’ll make two of my own: Â it’s not made clear, at least in this…
Though we’ve done quite a few book giveaways lately, I realized I’d never given away my own. Â So let’s do that! Win a copy of Success Made Simple: An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive I’ve got 3 copies of Success Made Simple: An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive to give away. Â If you somehow missed all the times I’ve gone on…
Does the stork make home deliveries? Â For many Amish families, the answer is yes. Birth at home, or in Amish-oriented birthing centers, is preferred for a few reasons. Â They include cost, comfort, and closeness to family. Â Midwives, some licensed, and others not, often handle deliveries in lieu of a doctor. Midwives may be non-Amish, or in some cases come from within the Amish community. Â In…
Reader Brett shares some photos of Amish in Western Kentucky. Â Graves County is home to a pair of settlements, one of which is a Swartzentruber Amish community. Kentucky Amish settlements range from Swartzentruber to New Order communities. Â Amish have moved into the state in large numbers in recent decades. Â In fact, all present Kentucky Amish settlements (except one) have been founded over the past 40…
Which Bible do Amish use? Â Typically, the Amish use the German Martin Luther version, particularly for church readings. Â For an English version, the most favored translation is the King James edition (KJV). Some Amish use the New International Version (NIV) as well. Â Often, the Bible Amish read in the home will have a dual format-German on one side of the page, English on the other….
Roselen’s Coffee & Delights 1045 E Columbia St Arthur, IL 61911 (217) 543-3106 In last Friday’s brain dump I mentioned Roselen’s Coffees and Delights, a drive-thru coffee shop in the Arthur, Illinois Amish community. Roselen’s is operated by Amish sisters Rose Plank and Lena Otto. Â I guess we can figure out where the shop’s name comes from (but why did poor Lena have to lose…
The concept of “Amish community” has a number of meanings The term “Amish community” is often used to refer to the Amish in general.  For instance, you might hear the questions, “What does the Amish community do when a barn burns down?” or  “What does the Amish community believe about technology?” Sometimes the term is used appropriately, ie “My friend Lavern comes from the Nappanee Amish…
Since the mid-1800s, the Hutterites have comprised 3 main groups–the Lehrerleut, the Dariusleut, and the Schmiedeleut. The Lehrerleut are considered the most conservative, with the Schmiedeluet being the most progressive, and Dariusleut somewhere in between. However, in 1992, The Schmiedeleut experienced an internal division, creating 2 separate Schmiedeleut groups. Donald Kraybill’s Concise Encyclopedia of Amish, Brethren, Hutterites, and Mennonites gives some background on the Hutterites…