Old Order Amish Vs. Modern Mennonites

Old Order Amish vs Modern Mennonites

When going to the local market, we may find there is all sorts of people with different skin color, hair color, heritage background and beliefs. A few subcultures that many have seen, but are not very familiar with is the Old Order Amish and Modern Mennonite cultures. Amish Protestant Christian Church fellowships are closely related to the Mennonites but also have some of their own distinctions.

Amish may be found throughout the United States, however, the large majority of them immigrated from Switzerland to Pennsylvania. “The Amish church began with a schism in Switzerland within a group of Swiss and Alsatian Anabaptists in 1693 led by Jakob Ammann. Those who followed him became known as Amish”. (Amish, 2014) When the Amish settled in Pennsylvania they acquired a language of Pennsylvania German, also known as Pennsylvania Dutch. The Amish culture is a growing culture within the United States. The Amish were saved from extinction by William Penn who allowed them a place to reside from religious persecution in America. William Penn was one of the founders of Pennsylvania. He believed greatly in religious freedom and wanted to create a place almost like a refugee for people to be able to go to escape the cruelty that is bestowed upon different religions. Although it is thought that the largest Amish population resides in Pennsylvania, in reality, Ohio has the largest Amish population in the United States and Canada and currently there is no Amish living in Europe.

Amish are very spiritual people and have a lifestyle of living off the land that we are given by not use any of the modern amenities we have today. Their beliefs go back to the basics of using our hands and living a simpler l...

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...14) More and more Mennonites are joining peacekeeping groups and are looking for ways outside of their church communities, to encourage the decrease of violence around the world.

Conclusion

In conclusion, although their is many similarities between the Amish and Mennonites, are there are also many differences. Amish and Mennonites both have a very strong faith but a different way of achieving their spiritual life. They have found ways to try to achieve happiness in life and follow God’s path. Modern society may not agree with all of their beliefs, but that is why they are called beliefs. We each have our own different set of beliefs in life and the Amish and Mennonites have found ways they feel they each can achieve greatness within these. They take their spiritual doings and put them it into their everyday life by being hardworking and faithful individuals.