Amish Customs & Beliefs

Their plain way of dressing makes them instantly recognizable. The women wear long dresses made of dark colors that signify the group they belong to, covered with white aprons and capes. The men are all similarly dressed as well sporting black pants and suspenders, jackets and wide brimmed hats. Due to their experience of being dragged away and persecuted by military leaders bedecked in uniforms with elaborate buttons and stylish mustaches the Amish wear neither. Amish men are unique in that once they marry they begin to grow a beard but absolutely no one has a mustache. Amish do not allow photographs in the community because of strict adherence to the Bibles commandment on graven images. They also never serve in the armed forces and will turn the other cheek as the Bible commands when attacked or persecuted.

Being imitators of Christ in the Bible Amish place high value on humility and submission. This means no individual style, competitiveness or materialism. An automobile, which we depend so highly on, is not allowed. It is believed that if one person were to own one it would cause a rift in the community because of vain boasting and a clear division of rich and poor. They will accept a ride in a vehicle if there is a dire need such as an emergency or a long distance to travel.

All their homes are bereft of telephones or electricity to guard the family against negative influences from the outside world. Telephones are considered a bad thing because they do away with the need for face-to-face interaction. There are communal phones in outer buildings in case of emergency or for business needs. The dairy barns were also allowed electricity for business and safety reasons, though they remain off the grid by using generators.

Amish family values have set them miles apart from our American culture. Marriage and family are expected for all the members. However, they are only allowed to marry other Amish. They do marry from other Amish settlements though and divorce is not allowed. The language spoken in the home is an old German dialect called Pennsylvania Dutch (derived from the word Deutsch for German language)

The most recognizable belief and hotly debated is the practice of shunning. This is a church discipline based on New Testament teachings. When a person is shunned, they are allowed no contact with anyone, not even their spouse until the shunning is over. To be relieved of this shunning the member must repent and is at once forgiven and welcomed back into fellowship with open arms.