History of the Amish Culture
The Amish began as a small group of reform-minded Mennonites along the southern Rhine River and in Switzerland. They split from the main movement of the protestant reformation in 1693. Jacob Amman, in whom the culture is named after, in Europe in the mid 1600’s, founded the Amish movement. In some ways it started as a reform group within the Mennonite movement as an attempt to restore some of the early practices of the Mennonites. The beliefs and practices of the Amish were based on the writings of the founder of the Mennonite faith, Menno Simons and on the 1632 Mennonite Dordrecht Confession of Faith. Amman who is an obscure reformer about whom little is known, wanted the Amish to return to a stricter observance of the writings of Simons and on the 1632 Mennonite Dordrecht Confession.
In the early 18th century, many Amish and Mennonites immigrated to Pennsylvania for a variety of reasons. Today, the most traditional descendants of the Amish continue to speak Pennsylvania German, also known as "Pennsylvania Dutch". However, a dialect of Swiss German predominates in some Old Order Amish communities, especially in the American state of Indiana. As of 2000, over 165,000 Old Order Amish live in the United States and approximately 1,500 live in Canada. They try to avoid many of the features of modern society, by developing practices and behaviors, which isolate themselves from American culture.
Almost all members are born into and raised in the faith. Converts from outside of the Amish communities are rare. Some Amish groups have a very restricted gene pool and are experiencing several inherited disorders. Amish church membership begins with baptism, usually between the ages of 16 and 25. It is a requirement for marriage, and once a person has affiliated with the church, he or she may marry only within the faith. Worship services are held every other Sunday in a member's home. A bishop and several ministers and deacons lead the district. The rules of the church, the Ordnung, must be observed by every member and cover most aspects of day-to-day living, including prohibitions or limitations on the use of electricity, telephones, and automobiles, as well as regulations on clothing. Most Amish do not buy commercial insurance or participate in Social Security. As present day Anabaptists, Amish church members practice nonresistance and will not perform any type of military service.
In the early 18th century, many Amish and Mennonites immigrated to Pennsylvania for a variety of reasons. Today, the most traditional descendants of the Amish continue to speak Pennsylvania German, also known as "Pennsylvania Dutch". However, a dialect of Swiss German predominates in some Old Order Amish communities, especially in the American state of Indiana. As of 2000, over 165,000 Old Order Amish live in the United States and approximately 1,500 live in Canada. They try to avoid many of the features of modern society, by developing practices and behaviors, which isolate themselves from American culture.
Almost all members are born into and raised in the faith. Converts from outside of the Amish communities are rare. Some Amish groups have a very restricted gene pool and are experiencing several inherited disorders. Amish church membership begins with baptism, usually between the ages of 16 and 25. It is a requirement for marriage, and once a person has affiliated with the church, he or she may marry only within the faith. Worship services are held every other Sunday in a member's home. A bishop and several ministers and deacons lead the district. The rules of the church, the Ordnung, must be observed by every member and cover most aspects of day-to-day living, including prohibitions or limitations on the use of electricity, telephones, and automobiles, as well as regulations on clothing. Most Amish do not buy commercial insurance or participate in Social Security. As present day Anabaptists, Amish church members practice nonresistance and will not perform any type of military service.