Lecture on the Old Order Amish

Introduction to Amish Life

• Simplicity: Known for their simple lifestyle; reject modern technology like cars and Social Security.
• Community Living: Emphasize mutual aid within their localized communities.
• Cultural Presence: Despite avoidance of mainstream culture, they are often highlighted in tourism, media, and literature.

Understanding Amish Identity

• Diverse Groups: Amish is an umbrella term for various Christian groups within Anabaptism.
• Subgroups: At least 40 different affiliations, including the Schwartzen-Ruber Amish, New Order Amish, etc.
• Old Order Amish: Originally a post-1860s schism group maintaining older traditions.

Common Practices and Beliefs

• Shared Practices: Rural living, church-regulated dress, selective technology use.
• Language: Speak Pennsylvania Dutch, a German-based dialect.
• Beliefs: Based on the 1632 Dordrecht Confession of Faith; emphasizes separation, nonviolence, and shunning.

Historical Context

• Anabaptist Roots: Emerged during the Protestant Reformation with radical ideas like adult baptism.
• Persecution: Faced hostility and persecution, influencing their values like obedience and reliance on God (Gelassenheit).
• Migration: Moved from Europe to the US for religious freedom, settling initially in Pennsylvania.

Amish in America

• Old Order vs. Amish Mennonites: Schism led to the formation of more assimilated Amish Mennonites.
• Population Growth: Approx. 400,000 Old Order Amish in the world, mostly in the US.

Community and Technology

• Ordnung: Set of rules governing community life, varying from one community to another.
• Technology: Selective adoption; e.g., diesel motors for refrigeration instead of electrical grid.

Social Structure

• Separation: Live in rural settlements; selective integration into public life.
• Education: Control over children's education; Yoder v. Wisconsin case recognized this as a religious right.

Cultural and Religious Practices

• Dress: Simple and uniform to promote community conformity.
• Rumspringa: Period of exploration for youth before baptism.
• High-Commitment Community: Requires significant personal commitment and conformity.

Amish in Popular Culture

• Romanticization: Seen as symbols of a simpler, purer lifestyle.
• Amish Romance Novels (Bonnet Rippers): Popular among Evangelical Christians, highlighting themes of chastity and pure love.

Conclusion

• Cultural Bargaining: Balance between maintaining distinct identity and engaging with broader American culture.

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