Plain Answers About the Amish Life (4 page)

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a unique style of dress, transportation, and other cultural markers that identify them as a unified group while also demonstrating their separation from the world

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limits on certain kinds of technology that may have a negative impact on the Amish home or church

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a directive to settle conflicts between believers within the structure of the church rather than the legal system or the government

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limits on outside monetary dependence, such as commercial insurance coverage

When examining a particular peculiarity of the Amish lifestyle, viewing it in the light of their determination to remain separate from the world often helps make sense of confusing, seemingly arbitrary rules and regulations.

Do the Amish pay taxes?

The Amish pay all taxes that the non-Amish do, including income tax, property tax, sales tax, and estate tax. Though they support the public school system with their taxes, in most cases they are also paying fees to fund their own private Amish schools as well.

The only taxes from which they can choose to be exempt for religious purposes are Social Security and, in some states, workers' compensation. The Amish view both programs as forms of insurance, in which they generally do not participate. Instead, they prefer to follow
the biblical directive to provide financially for one another in times of crisis rather than accept money from the government.

Why do the Amish object to insurance?

The Amish eschew commercial insurance coverage for several reasons, primarily because:

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The Bible says we are to care for one another.

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They feel it creates too strong of a connection with the world.

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Mutual financial dependence strengthens community bonds.

In times of crisis, some Amish communities administer financial aid via their own official, organized insurance programs, while others handle needs on a less formal basis.

Do the Amish vote?

According to Donald Kraybill in
The Riddle of Amish Culture
, voting is not common among the Amish, though neither is it usually prohibited outright. In most congregations, the decision is left to the individual.
¹
Of the Amish who do choose to vote, they are more likely to participate in local elections than national ones, and then only if matters will directly affect them, such as zoning issues.

The two main reasons that the Amish generally abstain from voting are:

1. They see it as a form of interacting with the world, but they are to maintain a separation from the world.

2. As believers in nonresistance, they are reluctant to cast votes for any official who would then be in a position to utilize force on the nation's behalf.

Though less than 15 percent of Amish are likely to vote in any presidential election, many follow and discuss political events and form opinions.

Do the Amish belong to unions?

No. Generally, they consider unions to be coercive and thus a violation of Jesus's admonishment to turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39).

Do the Amish participate in lawsuits?

For the most part, the Amish steer clear of litigation, also in obedience to Jesus's directive in Matthew 5:39 to turn the other cheek. Matters involving situations of material interest, such as business disputes or investment losses, are generally settled within the community or surrendered to “God's will.”

In some cases, when it comes to issues that challenge their beliefs, the Amish will agree to litigation. In 1972, for example, they fought for the freedom to establish their own educational limits. The case went all the way to the Supreme Court, where the Amish—and other religious minorities—were given the right to discontinue children's education after the eighth grade.

If an Amish person is sued by a non-Amish person or entity, they will usually defend their interests, though they would prefer to reach a settlement than go to court.

Do the Amish hold political office?

No. To do so would create too strong of a connection with the world, not to mention that it could compromise the Amish stance on passive resistance.

Can an Amish person be friends with someone who isn't Amish?

Absolutely. Though the Amish maintain a general separation from the world, many have friendships with non-Amish. Once trust has been established, strong bonds are often forged with neighbors and other townspeople. Repeated business interactions can also cause solid, long-lasting relationships to form over time.

As one Amish man said, “We treasure friendships of all kinds, provided our respective identities are not challenged and ripped down.”

5

NONRESISTANCE

Why don't the Amish serve in the military?

Because of Bible verses such as Exodus 20:13 (
KJV
), “Thou shalt not kill” and Matthew 5:39, “If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also,” the Amish believe force should never be used in any human relations whatsoever, for any reason. This is why they do not serve in the military nor practice any form of self-defense. It is also why they won't work as police officers, hold political office, or serve on juries.

What do the Amish do when a law conflicts with their religious beliefs?

When a civic law conflicts with Amish beliefs, they follow the example of the apostles, who said, “We must obey God rather than human beings!” (Acts 5:29). Historically, this has put them in some very uncomfortable situations and, in some cases, has even forced them to defend their positions in court. In the United States, the Amish have conflicted with local, state, and federal governments over issues of education, military service, property zoning, child labor, Social Security, health care, photo identification, road safety, and more.

If they have no central religious authority, how do they present a united front to lawmakers?

In 1967, the National Amish Steering Committee was formed to address legal issues involving state and federal governments. By working through this committee and living under the American political system, which protects freedom of religion, the Amish have managed to carve out exceptions, work through negotiations, and establish
understandings with the government on many topics. These agreements have allowed them to continue their lifestyle with relatively few compromises.

In practice, that means while people in some settlements may be required to display reflective triangles or tape on the backs of their buggies for safety purposes, they are also able to register as conscientious objectors, exempt themselves from Social Security, teach their children in their own private schools, and allow those children to complete their schooling at the end of the eighth grade.

6

ORGANIZATION

How is Amish society organized?

Amish society can be viewed in terms of units. Beyond the most important unit, which is the family, there are also settlements, districts, and affiliations.

What is an Amish settlement?

A settlement is a cluster of Amish living within a common geographical area. Beliefs and practices can vary widely within a single settlement, particularly in those that are the most densely populated. (A settlement can have less than 100 people or more than 30,000.) Statistics vary among researchers, but the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies estimates that there are 463 settlements existing in the United States and Canada. The three largest settlements in the country are in Holmes County, Ohio; Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; and Elkhart/LaGrange, Indiana.

What is an Amish district?

A district is a group of Amish who live near one another and worship together, somewhat like a congregation or a parish. Districts average about 135 people (20 to 40 families), and as membership and families grow, new districts are created by dividing existing districts. Statistics vary, but estimates show that there are approximately 2000 church districts in the United States and Canada.

Why do the Amish divide larger districts into smaller ones?

Districts are kept to a certain size for several reasons, including:

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so that members can continue to meet within homes (the Amish hold services and other functions in houses or barns rather than in church buildings)

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to maintain spiritual intimacy

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to prevent any one district from becoming too powerful or, more importantly, too prideful

How are the districts divided?

District boundaries are usually defined along geographical markers, such as streams and roads. In more densely populated Amish settlements, it is not unheard of for across-the-street neighbors (even if they are close relatives) to belong to different districts.

What is an affiliation?

An affiliation is a collection of districts with similar lifestyle regulations and cooperative relationships among their leaders. Affiliations are not defined by geography but by practices and beliefs. Roughly 25 different Amish affiliations exist in the United States and Canada.

Do members of the different groups associate with one another?

As long as they are in the same affiliation, members of different districts can fellowship, attend one another's church services, intermarry, and even exchange ministers and share bishops. Though rules and practices may vary somewhat from district to district, the districts in an affiliation follow practices and beliefs that are similar enough to allow such interaction.

7

LEADERSHIP

How are Amish church districts structured?

Amish church leadership includes three positions: bishop, minister, and deacon. These leaders serve at the district level, which is where the ultimate authority lies within the Amish faith. They work individually and together to guide the actions of their district.

What does an Amish bishop do?

The bishop is the primary spiritual leader of the district. Most bishops serve one district, except in Lancaster County, which is so densely populated that one bishop usually serves two districts. Some of the bishop's duties include:

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conducting congregational meetings, baptisms, communions, weddings, ordinations, and funerals

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interpreting and enforcing district regulations

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resolving matters of disobedience, discipline, and dispute

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recommending excommunication or reinstatement when necessary

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serving as interim bishop to neighboring districts when needed

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preaching in some Sunday services

What does an Amish minister do?

Most districts have two or three ministers. Though their primary duty is to preach in services, they are also involved in:

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serving as role models for the congregation

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helping to maintain the spiritual welfare of the district

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assisting the bishop in his various duties (listed above)

Though ministers will usually prepare for their Sunday sermons by studying the Bible—in both English and German—and referring to various study aids such as concordances, the sermons themselves are given extemporaneously, without any notes.

—I
N
T
HEIR
O
WN
W
ORDS
—

The fact that ministers are chosen from among the members by the use of the divine lot eliminates a great deal of politics, a fact that I personally greatly appreciate.

What does an Amish deacon do?

Most districts have just one deacon, who performs various duties, including:

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reading Scripture or reciting prayer in worship services

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supervising the financial aid of the church

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assisting with baptisms and communion

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investigating rule violations in the congregation

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delivering news of excommunication or reinstatement to parties involved

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serving as the church's representative in the facilitation of marriages

Do women have a voice in the Amish church?

Yes. Though church leaders are always male, the women of the church participate in the voting processes and in the nomination of leaders.

Most experts consider the Amish to be a “patriarchal democracy,” which means that while only males serve in positions of authority, women have a voice in certain matters. When a decision needs to be
made, the bishop gives a recommendation, and the full congregation—male and female—votes on it.

How are ministers chosen in the Amish church?

The Amish choose potential ministers by nominating candidates from among male members of the congregation. Nominees who receive the required number of votes then draw lots to determine which one of them will take on the position.