Amish Culture | History, People & Beliefs – Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com

Amish History and the Development of Amish Culture

Amish culture and religion developed in the wake of the Protestant Reformation, and shares its origins with the Mennonite sect in Switzerland. The Mennonites were part of the Anabaptist movement in Europe, which was a Protestant Christian group. Their beliefs spread to other countries throughout Europe during the Reformation. Anabaptists often faced persecution and even death, by both Catholics and other Protestant groups who disapproved of them.

The Origins of Amish Culture

Anabaptist, Mennonite, and then Amish, culture originated in Zurich, Switzerland circa 1525, and then spread to other European countries like Germany, Holland, France, and more. The word “Anabaptist” means “baptize again,” relating to adults being re-baptized a second time after they were as infants. Anabaptists believe that only an adult can know the decision of baptism and welcoming Jesus into one’s life, so they do not want to baptize infants into the faith. They also widely believed in separation of themselves from larger society. Anabaptists were often persecuted for their beliefs about baptism and interpretations of biblical texts throughout Europe.

With the further development of Anabaptist groups in Europe, many united into the Mennonite sect under Menno Simons. Simons was a 16th century Netherlands Anabaptist leader, and ex-Catholic priest; the term “Mennonite” is derived from his name. Then, Amman and his followers split to create the Amish sect over the issue of excommunication. Due to their heavy persecution in Europe over their beliefs, many Anabaptists relocated to the mountains in Switzerland as well as parts of southern Germany. In the aforementioned locations, people started widescale farming practices and the practice of in-home worship instead of in churches.

Amish Migration to North America

The Amish migrated to North America in the 18th and 19th centuries, after catching wind of William Penn’s new Pennsylvania colony that offered religious tolerance for settlers (Christian religious tolerance). Appealing to many Amish groups, some came over to North America in the 1700s, and then a larger group emigrated in the 1800s. They first settled in eastern PA, then others settled in the Midwest, NY, and even parts of Canada. Lancaster County, PA has the oldest Amish settlement from circa 1750 or earlier.

A New York Amish family

Divisions Among the Amish People

During the 19th century, some people from various Amish communities joined the similar Mennonite Church and community, and then called themselves “Amish-Mennonite.” Mennonites allowed for a wider use of technology, less stringent dress code, and more interaction with the outside world. Over time, some Amish adherents joined Mennonite churches because they disagreed on some “Old Order” Amish beliefs, like uses of certain technologies and dress codes. “Old Order” Amish still lived much the same way as their ancestors did in the 17th century European culture.

The Amish People during the 20th Century

During the 20th century, Amish North American communities grew larger in population and thrived. In addition, many Amish communities slowly incorporated some technologies into their lives. Throughout the wars of the 20th century, many Amish men served for the U.S., but many were allowed conscientious objector status due to their belief in non-violence. As for the European Amish, the last of them merged with more progressive churches by 1937.

What Religion Do the Amish Practice?

The Amish belonged to an Anabaptist Protestant sect of Christianity. They were non-violent and pacifist, and their main focus was on the New Testament scriptures and teachings of Jesus. As stated earlier, Anabaptists differ from other Christian groups mostly over their beliefs on baptism. The Amish have close relations and similarities with the Mennonites, Brethren, and Quakers.

The Amish’s main beliefs center around a simple life, adherence to communal interests over self-interests, and service of God in all they do. The Amish are largely conservative and believe that any gathering of people and the community makes up the actual church; the church does not have to be an actual building. There is less structure and organization to religion, meaning there may be several church leaders/elders, but the number and leadership depend on family units and group of attendance in particular home.

Amish Lifestyle Rules

Much of the Amish’s rules center on the rejection of self-expression and adherence to self-denial. Their culture and lifestyle are based on the creation of a cohesive and homogenous community.

Amish children only attend Amish schools up through the 8th grade; they believe that amount is the only formal schooling children need. After the 8th grade, Amish youths take on more adult roles and responsibilities within the community. They also partake in some time outside the community, called a “rumspringa,” where rules are relaxed for them. During the rumspringa, young adults get a taste of life outside their communities and decide if they want to fully join the Amish community as an adult. If they join, they are typically baptized between the ages of 18-25, when it is believed they can make the informed decision. Then, they are permitted to marry; married couples are heavily encouraged to have large families. Amish communities have unwritten rules called the “Ordnung” that all Amish are expected to follow. The Ordnung are basically codes of conduct, and can vary a bit from one community to the next. The rules often include the incorporation of God into everyday life, along with rules on modesty, humility, dress, and technology.

Amish Clothing Rules

Amish dress code rules were based on biblical references about the adornment of oneself. The Amish are meant to look homogenous, with no adornments because they are considered vain. Modesty and conformity are celebrated and important in the Amish culture.

Main clothing rules for women:

• sewing of their own clothes from one type of fabric and one color in accordance with laws in Leviticus
• no accessories or jewelry
• black bonnet usually worn by married women; white worn by unmarried women
• typically owns no more than four dresses
• married women wear a black cape and apron to church, while an unmarried women wear a white cape and apron, with both wearing a plain dress underneath
• usually barefoot around the house and during the day, but wore black shoes and stockings to church
• always have a head covering or bonnet on- when one prays, they should be covered in respect to God

Main clothing rules for men:

• wears black colored suits with no pockets
• trousers with no zippers but fastened with buttons
• suspenders, with no belts
• straw hats typically in summer and black felt hats in winter
• beards usually worn by married men

Amish clothing examples from Lancaster County, PA

The Amish and Technology

Amish communities typically refrain from the use of technology, in order to live a simple life with hard-work and strong values in accordance with God. However, there are exceptions to technologies used by Amish communities. For instance, the Amish are permitted to ride in cars, but are not allowed to own them; some Amish groups have community cars. Many Amish communities do not allow photographs or video taken of them, which comes from the Ten Commandments that forbid “graven imagery” or idolatry. Some exceptions for the use of technology have included life-saving technologies and modern medicine. In addition, many Amish communities use batteries and telephones, but often in public spaces.

Amish Culture and Other Groups

The Amish are considered very conservative, as they adhere to traditional gender roles and ways of living. They celebrate big life events, but modestly. A group called the “Para-Amish” is a very similar group, but they exist outside traditional Amish communities. Mennonites are considered less conservative than the Amish, and may use more technology and have greater connections with the outside world. The Amish traditionally do not allow musical instruments, as they could make someone prideful or vain- they do often sing in unison, but with no harmonizing in order to be unified and conforming. Other Anabaptist groups, and many Christian groups, have allowed more variations in music.

The Amish share similar beliefs with the Hutterites and Brethren Anabaptist Churches, with their emphasis on Jesus and the New Testament. They are pacifist, like Quakers, who were another early Protestant PA colonial group. Very different from other Christian groups, the Amish do not proselytize, or seek converts to their faith; they do allow converts, if the convert seeks them out and adheres to the rules, lifestyle, and religious creed.

The Amish and the Mennonites

As mentioned previously, the Amish were an offshoot of the Mennonite Anabaptist group. So, they share many similarities. Most Mennonites allow for a more relaxed dress code, and the driving of cars, and use of electricity. They are also often involved in occupations outside of the community and follow less strict traditional gender roles. Both the Amish and Mennonites hold to the Anabaptist beliefs about baptism, non-resistance and pacifism, and certain interpretations of the New Testament.

Status of Amish People Today

In modern times, Amish communities can be found in over 20 U.S. states and one Canadian province. There is an estimated number of over quarter of a million Amish living in North America. Reportedly, not too many children leave the Church. Many Amish groups sell furniture, baked goods, and quilts to the outside for income. They are known for the high quality of the aforementioned items.

Lesson Summary

“Amish” refers to a sect of Protestant-Anabaptist Christianity, with its origins from the European Protestant Reformation of the 16th century. Many Amish groups emigrated to North America between the 18th and 19th centuries with the promise of religious tolerance. Pennsylvania was the first colony, and then state, to have Amish immigrants. The Amish, as well as other Anabaptists like the Mennonites, believe that baptism should take place during young adulthood rather than infancy; they believe infants cannot make an informed decision about their faith.

The Amish are known for their conservative and modest way of life; they attempt to live without much technology and enjoy hard work within a close community. Amish people follow the “Ordnung,” which are unwritten rules about daily life. The highest level of education an Amish person achieves is the 8th grade, and then they take on a more active role in adult life within the community. Certain technology is allowed in Amish communities, but this typically depends on the rules of the particular community. Car ownership by an Amish person is not allowed, but they are permitted to ride in cars. There is an estimated number of about a quarter of one million Amish living in North America in modern-times.