Some of you are familiar with my fascination with Amish culture and my vociferous reading of Amish fiction by such authors as Beverly Lewis, Cindy Woodsmall, and Wanda Brunstetter. It is easy to speculate about the Amish and their simple lifestyle. From the outside, it may seem that they live an almost idyllic existence. At first, an outsider, or "Englischer" as we are known to the Amish, may get so caught up that he or she imagines what it would be like to live as the Amish do.
The authors which I have read have done extensive research and travelled extensively to the Amish settlements across the United States and Canada. In a couple instances, they themselves have lived or have relatives living in the midst of the Amish community. Because these works of fiction are backed up with real life research, one quickly realizes that the Amish lifestyle is not completely free of "modern" disruptions to life. There are heartaches and disappointments, as well as joy and elation, in the same ways that you and I might experience them.
It would clearly be a misunderstanding to assume that the Amish want nothing to do with the modern world. Theirs is a personal choice not to be influenced by certain conveniences which might lead to worldly pride. However, there are some real paradoxes among the Amish. First, let me state that each Amish settlement is independent of another and free to adjust the rules for living as the group sees fit. Different types and colors of horse drawn buggies are one of the tell tale signs pointing to the different groups.
One of the biggest paradoxes for me is the Amish desire to be free of electricity, house phones, radios and computers in the home. Yet, many Amish depend on their jobs outside the Amish community to help support their families. As Amish farms become smaller and smaller through division, large families are not able to survive on the meager income from the land. As a result, if an Amish man holds a job that requires him to drive a truck, he will drive while at work and return to his horse drawn transportation to and from work. Furthermore, it is common for the Amish to utilize the modern banking system, eat at modern or even fast food restaurants, and hire drivers to take them to tourist attractions, medical appointments or even horse auctions.
Now, if you're thinking that all Amish do not have indoor plumbing or utilize outhouses for bathrooms, that also is incorrect. A number of Amish groups in the 21st century have relaxed their stipulations and now allow propane powered refrigerators, stoves, water heaters and maybe even lights within the house. At the same time, running water may be utilized along with more modern indoor bathrooms complete with showers and toilets. Those Amish men and women who run business may get permission from the local bishop to have a phone or carry a cell phone! One story of a retired Amish couple, who purchased and ran a bed and breakfast, told of they were able to use electricity in the rest of the house as long as they did not utilize it in their own living quarters. As you can tell by now, the Amish world is ripe with exceptions to the outward appearance of a simple uncomplicated lifestyle.
The Amish are faced with the similar types of human life events as their "Englischer" neighbors. They face untimely deaths, accidents which claims lives prematurely, disease which strikes all ages of men, women and children. Babies are born, teenagers are rebellious, young adults leave home on occasion, and couples sometimes struggle to maintain their marriages. Natural disasters, storms, tornadoes and fires affect the Amish as well. Birthdays, holidays and weddings are celebrated within the various communities.
In some ways, it strikes me that the Amish have the best of both worlds. Perhaps that is the fuel for my fascination with Amish culture. The Amish live in a world surrounded by the fast pace of modern culture and technology. On occasion, when required, they make limited use of that technology. On the other hand, for most Amish, their home life is much quieter, simpler and lived at a slower pace.
If I were Amish, I would likely think that the paradox is not the lifestyle lived by the Amish people but the lifestyle lived in the English world outside. With all the modern technology and advancements that should make our lives easier and less frazzled, it seems that we must move even faster to keep up. Now is that an irony or a paradox? Jah, it seems like I'm ferhoodled!
The authors which I have read have done extensive research and travelled extensively to the Amish settlements across the United States and Canada. In a couple instances, they themselves have lived or have relatives living in the midst of the Amish community. Because these works of fiction are backed up with real life research, one quickly realizes that the Amish lifestyle is not completely free of "modern" disruptions to life. There are heartaches and disappointments, as well as joy and elation, in the same ways that you and I might experience them.
It would clearly be a misunderstanding to assume that the Amish want nothing to do with the modern world. Theirs is a personal choice not to be influenced by certain conveniences which might lead to worldly pride. However, there are some real paradoxes among the Amish. First, let me state that each Amish settlement is independent of another and free to adjust the rules for living as the group sees fit. Different types and colors of horse drawn buggies are one of the tell tale signs pointing to the different groups.
One of the biggest paradoxes for me is the Amish desire to be free of electricity, house phones, radios and computers in the home. Yet, many Amish depend on their jobs outside the Amish community to help support their families. As Amish farms become smaller and smaller through division, large families are not able to survive on the meager income from the land. As a result, if an Amish man holds a job that requires him to drive a truck, he will drive while at work and return to his horse drawn transportation to and from work. Furthermore, it is common for the Amish to utilize the modern banking system, eat at modern or even fast food restaurants, and hire drivers to take them to tourist attractions, medical appointments or even horse auctions.
Now, if you're thinking that all Amish do not have indoor plumbing or utilize outhouses for bathrooms, that also is incorrect. A number of Amish groups in the 21st century have relaxed their stipulations and now allow propane powered refrigerators, stoves, water heaters and maybe even lights within the house. At the same time, running water may be utilized along with more modern indoor bathrooms complete with showers and toilets. Those Amish men and women who run business may get permission from the local bishop to have a phone or carry a cell phone! One story of a retired Amish couple, who purchased and ran a bed and breakfast, told of they were able to use electricity in the rest of the house as long as they did not utilize it in their own living quarters. As you can tell by now, the Amish world is ripe with exceptions to the outward appearance of a simple uncomplicated lifestyle.
The Amish are faced with the similar types of human life events as their "Englischer" neighbors. They face untimely deaths, accidents which claims lives prematurely, disease which strikes all ages of men, women and children. Babies are born, teenagers are rebellious, young adults leave home on occasion, and couples sometimes struggle to maintain their marriages. Natural disasters, storms, tornadoes and fires affect the Amish as well. Birthdays, holidays and weddings are celebrated within the various communities.
In some ways, it strikes me that the Amish have the best of both worlds. Perhaps that is the fuel for my fascination with Amish culture. The Amish live in a world surrounded by the fast pace of modern culture and technology. On occasion, when required, they make limited use of that technology. On the other hand, for most Amish, their home life is much quieter, simpler and lived at a slower pace.
If I were Amish, I would likely think that the paradox is not the lifestyle lived by the Amish people but the lifestyle lived in the English world outside. With all the modern technology and advancements that should make our lives easier and less frazzled, it seems that we must move even faster to keep up. Now is that an irony or a paradox? Jah, it seems like I'm ferhoodled!
~ DB Turnmire
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