Last week we discussed Amish excommunicated from the Parke County, Indiana community. In the video clips posted we viewed a few snippets from an interview with Elam Fisher, imprisoned for driving without a license. In the full interview video below, Elam explains why he thinks he shouldn’t be in prison, his experience among the other inmates, and what guides him. The driver’s license requirement is something…
Amish began moving from Lancaster to Parke County, Indiana in 1991. Â Today there are six Amish church districts in the vicinity of county seat Rockville. Along with a similar group in Wayne County, the Parke County Amish are unlike others in Indiana. Â Here you’ll find the Lancaster grey buggy and plenty of Stoltzfuses, Kings and Fishers, all signs of the “Pennsylvania presence” in Indiana. I…
In today’s interview, Mose Gingerich answers questions about the National Geographic Amish: Out of Order program.  Mose shares his thoughts below on a range of topics including faith, hell, and his hopes for the series. Amish: Out of Order is in the middle of a ten-episode run on the National Geographic Channel.  The series looks at the lives of former Amish as they deal with life…
National Geographic has developed Amish: Out of the Order (you may remember this program from late 2010, featuring ex-Amishman Mose Gingerich) into a full-fledged series.  It will air in 10 parts this spring and is named, nearly identically, Amish: Out of Order. I found the original program interesting but wonder if they’ll be able to get enough mileage out of the concept for a full series….
We have a guest post today from Emma Miller. Though most people raised Amish end up joining an Amish church, a certain percentage for one reason or another do not. Here’s Emma writing about a new organization she’s started for former Amish: I grew up Amish in a small town in Missouri, the 6th child out of 12. I have many fond memories of summer…
Today we have a winner and excerpt of Saloma Miller Furlong’s memoir, Why I Left the Amish. Thanks to all who participated and a special thanks to Saloma for taking the time to respond to everyone’s comments. There were some very interesting discussions. If you missed the original interview you can read it here: Saloma Miller Furlong interview. I’ve added in the extra Facebook share…
Saloma Miller Furlong was raised Amish in Ohio. Â Why I Left the Amish is the story of her childhood and adolescence, and eventual departure from Amish society. I enjoyed meeting Saloma for the first time this summer while in PA, and have always appreciated her comments here on the blog. Â I just recently had a chance to read Why I Left the Amish and found…
Today we’ve got 6 winners of Ira Wagler’s Growing Up Amish. Â If you missed the original interview, in which Ira discusses Amish life, family relationships and how he ended up in Lancaster County, you can read it here: Growing Up Amish interview. Growing Up Amish winners I’ve tallied up all additional Facebook and blog entries. Â If you commented more than once in the comments section…
Today, an interview with Ira Wagler on his new memoir, Growing Up Amish. Ira was born in the Aylmer, Ontario Amish community and grew up in Bloomfield, Iowa. During his youth and young adulthood he spent time on a Nebraska cattle ranch, Canadian wheat fields, and in Amish communities across the country. Ira struggled with life as an Amish person before finally leaving for good…
Lance shared a link to an interesting video on the Indiana Amish post this week. Â It’s an unusual look at a nominally Amish family in Indiana. It’s a bit confusing what’s going on, but this seems to be a born-again Christian family in transition away from an Amish lifestyle. Â The father, Elam Graber, is described as Old Order Amish and is certainly not camera-shy. Â He’s…