Amish Religious Diversity In America

Introduction

The United States of America was a country founded on the principles of religious freedom. It was this principle that sparked a vast diversity in the religions founded in the New World; A diversity that the founding fathers had not imagined. While many religions can be found in America now, it is the Protestant faith and the sects that broke off from it that began the religious diversity in America. The Amish religion is one of theses sects that helped develop the diversity in America. This paper will cover the history of the Amish, their ideals and practices, and the challenges they have faced.
History

In order to understand the ideals and practices of the Amish faith, it is important to know why the Amish sect came into

fruition, why they migrated to the New World, and where they settled.
Creation of the Amish Sect

The Amish movement was lead by Jakob Ammann, a Swiss Anabaptist leader, who thought that the Anabaptists were drifting away from the teachings of Menno Simmons, a Dutch Roman Catholic priest who left to preach the teachings of the Anabaptist Scripture, and the Confession of Faith. Donald Kraybill, author of Riddle of Amish Culture states, "Ammann called for a change and renewal in church life. He proposed holding communion twice a year rather than annually, foot washing should be literally observed in the communion service in obedience to Christ’s command, as well as other issues— the excommunication of liars, the role of church discipline, the salvation of Anabaptist sympathizers." (Kraybill 7). However, Kraybill notes that the decisive issue that fueled the debate was shunning excommunicated members. The Amish Movement following the heated debate between Ammann and the Swiss Anabaptists resulted into the division of the Swiss Anabaptists into the Amish and the Mennonites in 1693. While the Amish had separated from the Mennonites they would soon find themselves working together to prevent the destructions of their faith.
Movement to the New World

The migration of the Amish people to the New World was a result of religious persecution and social tension. According to William Crowley, the Amish people arrived in two waves the first wave brought five hundred Amish to America during 1717 to 1750, and fifteen hundred in the second wave during 1817 to 1861 (Crowley 251). The first wave of Amish settled near the Mennonite city Lancaster, Pennsylvania in Old Conestoga and Northkill colony. The first wave slowed as the French and Indian war took hold and the second wave would not begin until the Napoleonic war. The second wave of Amish choose to settle further west because of land prices in Pennsylvania, settling mostly in Ohio and Illinois. Over time settlements died out as the Amish communities broke apart or merged with other communities, and leapfrogged from place to place. Currently the Amish can be found scattered around the Midwest, Tennessee, and even Florida. Although a majority of the settlements can still be found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana where the first Amish settled.
Religion

With every religion there are ideals and tenets that spell out how worshippers are to live their lives in order to be closer to Christ.

While some religions may be a little more lenient on their tenets, the Amish strictly follow the tenets set forth by Menno Simons and the tenets established by each individual community. As stated by David Holmes and Walter E. Block, "The Amish culture owes it longevity, and stability to the institution of ordung, the rules and regulations by which Amish society organizes itself" (Holmes 372). At the core of the Amish religion is the Confession of Faith. The tenets listed underneath the Confession of Faith include adult baptism, the church as a covenant community, excommunication of errant members, literal obedience to the teachings of Christ, refusal to swear oaths, pacifism, and social separation from the evil world (Kraybill 6). The most interesting of these tenets are that children are not considered part of the church until they are baptized at the age of eighteen though they must still follow the tenets, and that shunning is practiced to the extent that families are expected to not eat with shunned members of their families. Another big ideal practiced by most Amish communities is the idea of simplicity. Amish refrain from using modern technology, trimming their beards, and wearing fashionable clothes.
While the dress code for men and women are different there is a common set of guidelines. These guidelines include the use of plain durable fabric that is of one color, and the replacement of buttons with hook and eyes. Men are expected to wear dark pants, dark socks, dark shoes, a plain shirt, a straw hat in the summer, and a felt hat in the winter. While women are expected to wear plain single-colored dresses no shorter than the calves with a black or white apron and a hat to cover their

hair.
Challenges

As the time advances forward and communities move, grow, and evolve they face challenges and hurdles they must overcome. The Amish have faced their own trials and tribulations as the times have advanced and technology with it. The biggest challenge they face is the temptation of modern technology. Amish believe in the idea of simplicity. This means no electricity and everything that comes with it, and no automobiles. Travel is made by horse and buggy and in many Amish communities this can be dangerous especially when the roads are also traversed by automobiles. Not only must the Amish be weary of being rear-ended by a car they must also be weary of the cars spooking the horses. Education is handled by the Amish community where children are taught until the eighth grade, and while they do make use of doctors and lawyers their children are not allowed to pursue these careers as they are not allowed to attend public college.
Another big issue the Amish face is rebellion of the youth. With advancing technology, poor education, and strict rules, new-adults face the decision to stay with the community or leave to join the rest of society. This brings new trials for the children as they try to adapt to a culturally jarring society, grief for parents in the community, and damaged relations when the children decide to come back. While the parents maybe relieved to have their children back they must continue to publically shun them as the tenets state until they are accepted back into the church.
Personal Reflection

Given the circumstances and the historical background I don't believe I would have joined this religion for the sole reason of the strictness enforced by the church. While I respect their beliefs and ideals, I believe lessons are better learned by making mistakes, learning form them, and seeking forgiveness. The Amish religion does not allow for mistakes to be forgiven completely.
Conclusion

In this paper we have covered the history of the Amish and their settlement in America, the tenets of their religion, and the challenges they face. While most Americans are usually unaware of their presence due to their seclusion and self-sustainability from society. They are best known for their markets, selling their carpentry and farming bounties. The Amish believing in strict church practices and suffering religious persecution came to settle in America and their simplicity has created many challenges for them in a rapidly changing America. While some may not agree with their religious views, they bring diversity to this great place we call America.