Amish Mennonite

The farmlands of the Pennsylvania Dutch Country are among the most productive in the nation. But many of the farmers here are different from most Americans, different by choice. For they are the Old Order Amish and Mennonites, also known as "The Plain People."

These people trace their heritage back hundreds of years, and yet, despite all
the time that has passed and the many changes that have taken place in society,
they still live and work much as their forefathers did. Their families and their
farms are their top priorities, second only to their God.

The Amish are very devout in their faith. They believe in the literal interpretation
and application of Scripture as the Word of God. They take seriously the Biblical
commands to separate themselves from the things of the world.

There are more than 20 different varieties of Amish and Mennonites in this area.
We will be referring primarily to the more conservative Old Order Amish, who
still hold to the original doctrines and traditions of their faith.

The Amish wear plain clothing and do not permit worldly grooming.
young men are clean-shaven, and married men wear
untrimmed beards, but are not allowed mustaches. The women wear head-coverings
in obedience to Scripture, and follow the Biblical command that beauty should
come not from outward adornment, but from the inner self. The children dress the same as the adults.

You will see their horse-drawn carriages on your drive through the countryside.
Church members are not permitted to own cars because they allow easier access to
the worldly influences of society. The Amish here drive their "Lancaster Gray"
carriages which are all identical in style and color.

Because the Bible teaches against open displays of wealth, all status symbols
are discouraged. This is another reason for the uniformity in Amish carriages and
clothing styles. The Amish place a high value on farming and farm-related occupations. Closeness to the soil and to nature is important to them in providing a wholesome setting for their families. They view the city as a center of non-productive lifestyles, and feel the Christian life can best be maintained in a rural environment, with only minimal influence from the outside world.

Out in their fields, you are likely to find a farmer walking behind his team of horses or mules. While some gas or diesel powered equipment such as milking machines are permitted, tractors are not allowed in the fields. Despite these restrictions, Amish farms are well known for their productivity. You can identify the Amish homes by their lack of
electrical powerlines, a buggy in the yard, and a windmill alongside the farm building.
Since they do not use electricity, these windmills and waterwheels provide the needed power for pumping water. Gas stoves, refrigerators, and kerosene lamps are standard in
Amish homes, while central heating is considered an extravagance.

The family plays an important role in Amish society. Amish families average seven children, and each child is given his own specific responsibilities. An Amish dialect known as Pennsylvania Dutch is spoken within the home and among fellow Amish.

Amish children attend one-room schoolhouses until they meet the state's compulsory education requirements at age 15. With the practical training and work experience they receive at home, any additional education is thought to be unnecessary.

Children also receive a thorough Bible training within the home. Amish parents feel they are responsible to God for the spiritual welfare of their children. When the children get married, their parents will help them get started on their own. The youngest son will eventually take over the family farm, and an addition called a Grossdaddi House will be built onto the main house for their parents. Just as Amish parents feel obligated to take good care of their children, so children feel a responsibility to look after their older parents. Seldom are older family members sent to nursing homes.

There is a strong community spirit within the Amish membership, and they often
reach out to help members in need. Barn- raisings are an example of their love and
service to one another.

The Plain People trace their origin back to the Protestant Reformation in Europe,
where there was an emphasis on returning to the purity of the New Testament Church.
One group of reformers rejected the popular concept of infant baptism, and
became known as Anabaptists. Menno Simons was a leader of this movement, and his
followers came to be called "Mennonites".

(to read more visit: http://aidemsolutions.com/amish-mennonite)

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