Amish Origin: Old Order Amish

Many are fascinated with the life of the Amish. I get all kinds of questions when I reveal my Amish early childhood. I was born into the Amish way of life. People wonder why Amish people choose to live this way. In summary of the Amish way: they are hard working, with deep rooted faith and commitment to God, family and community. As John Hostetler wrote, "...they are meticulous farmers who practice the virtues of work and thrift (J. Hostetler p. 3)." In other words, farming sustains their way of life. They work their farms to take care of their families and they do it "from the ground up," as I like to say. They work with the earth and climate to meet their needs. They buy bulk goods and most everything is made from "scratch."

Amish origins began in Europe with the Anabaptists in 1525 (A. Hostetler p. III). Anabaptists' rejection of infant baptism became the symbol of the Anabaptist movement (J. Hostetler p. 26). In the Amish view, baptism is unnecessary for babies because they have no knowledge of good versus evil. Amish do not "take oaths, participate in war, or take part in worldly government (J. Hostetler p. 6)."

Amish can also be labeled as sectarians in that they use "various techniques of isolation for maintaining separateness." In that separateness, they are able to maintain their way of life more easily. Amish speak their own language, which is a form of German, but each group has its own dialect. The language can be difficult to understand, even for someone fluent in German. Communication with those outside the community is not meant to be easy, thus maintaining that ideal separateness. They are safe in their little communities, apart from the evil and influence of the world.

I have heard terms like sect and cult used to describe these nonviolent people. "The Amish are not sectarians in the sense that they demand that others conform to their practices. Nor do they claim to base all actions on holy writ. They are not in conflict with the dominant culture in the same way, or with the same intensity, as a number of sects such as the apocalyptic, manipulative or cultic types (J. Hostetler p. 8)." In simple terms, Amish people tolerate other ways of life.

In effect, you will not have Amish men knocking on your door trying to convert or "witness," to you. "Many sectarian societies, including the Amish, make little or no attempt to communicate their message." Amish believe, " a way of living is more important than communicating it in words (J. Hostetler p. 8)."

Amish can also be known as "a folk society," in that they are simple, isolated and primitive. "Shared practical knowledge is more important that science, custom is valued more than critical knowledge and associations are personal and emotional rather than abstract and categoric (J. Hostetler p. 8)." Religion is infused into all aspects of life. "Planting and harvesting are as sacred in their own ways as singing and praying (J. Hostetler p. 9)." It is redundant and apparent that the Amish feel their way of life is their purpose.

"Out of intense religious experience, societal conflict and intimate agrarian experience, a mentality has developed that prefers the old rather than the new (J. Hostetler p. 10)." Amish can more easily pass on customs, tradition and religion when it stays the same.

For centuries, the Amish have struggled to survive. They have gone through many trying times together, but their faith has pulled them through. Similar to other religious groups, the Amish have suffered persecution for their beliefs.

I am fortunate to have my family genealogy book, thanks to my dear Aunt Betsy (still Amish), which traces our family history back to Jacob Hertzler (1703-1786), preacher for the Northkill Amish Settlement. Jacob Hertzler is my great great great great great great great grandfather. Northkill was the first Amish settlement in the "New World." Jacob Hertzler arrived in Philadelphia, Pa., September 9, 1749 on the ship St. Andrew (A. Hostetler p. III).

Hertzler came to the New World looking for religious freedom, as he was being persecuted in Europe by a state church. Born in Switzerland, Hertzler came to America and began a life that would lead to my conception. "Tradition suggests that Jacob Hertzler was a man of almost limitless energy. He labored many hours regularly as a hard working farmer. Then he walked and rode horseback miles weekly to reach his preaching appointments (A. Hostetler p. III).

Hopefully, I have given a clear description of the values of (Old Order) Amish and their original intent: to seek religious freedom. Finally, Amish refer to non-Amish as "English," don't take offense. I must infer that the term "English," comes from precolonial days when everyone around them really was English, in Europe.

"Amish Society," by John A. Hostetler. The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1993, 4th edition.

"Joseph I Yoder and Franey Yoder and Their Descendants 1848 - 1994," by Aaron J. Hostetler. Printing by Gordonville, Pa. Print Shop, 1995.