Mentifacts (Ideas and Behaviors)
Ordnung is the set rules by which the Amish must follow. Ordnung is the German word for order, discipline, rule, arrangement, organization, or system.
Meidung (shunning) is the Amish form of excommunication. It is usually inflicted for breaches of the Ordnung or for other crimes such as marrying outside the faith. Meidung lasts until death or until the person has repented his/her sins in front of the community. A criminal act in the Amish culture is the cutting of another's hair or beard. The Amish people who cut the hair of another has broken the Ordnung, and faces excommunication.
The Amish reject the advancements of modern life and refuse to use new technology. They do not need the use of electricity, which is often times what people first think of when they hear the word Amish. Because they do not believe in the use of technology, when a person dies, they dig the graves y hand instead of using a machine. Funerals are held within the home of the deceased, and these homes are meant for large numbers of people as the Amish people take turns hosting religious service within their homes. The Amish do not want to advance as the world advances.
Because most Amish descend from the families of the 200 founders from the 18th century, they have a much higher rate of genetic disorders due to inbreeding, such as maple syrup urine disease. They do not marry outside of their culture as it is looked down upon within the community and leads to excommunication.
Rumspringa, (the Amish get out of jail free) card is the Amish term for adolescence. Rumspringa is a period when some Amish youth, experience greater freedom. They are no longer under the control of their parents on weekends and, because they are not baptized, they are not yet under the authority of the church. During this time, many Amish youth adhere to traditional Amish behavior. Others, however, experiment with “worldly” activities such as buying a car, going to movies, wearing non-Amish clothes, or buying a new electronic device. At the conclusion of rumspringa the youth are expected to choose whether they wish to stay with the community or leave it.
Meidung (shunning) is the Amish form of excommunication. It is usually inflicted for breaches of the Ordnung or for other crimes such as marrying outside the faith. Meidung lasts until death or until the person has repented his/her sins in front of the community. A criminal act in the Amish culture is the cutting of another's hair or beard. The Amish people who cut the hair of another has broken the Ordnung, and faces excommunication.
The Amish reject the advancements of modern life and refuse to use new technology. They do not need the use of electricity, which is often times what people first think of when they hear the word Amish. Because they do not believe in the use of technology, when a person dies, they dig the graves y hand instead of using a machine. Funerals are held within the home of the deceased, and these homes are meant for large numbers of people as the Amish people take turns hosting religious service within their homes. The Amish do not want to advance as the world advances.
Because most Amish descend from the families of the 200 founders from the 18th century, they have a much higher rate of genetic disorders due to inbreeding, such as maple syrup urine disease. They do not marry outside of their culture as it is looked down upon within the community and leads to excommunication.
Rumspringa, (the Amish get out of jail free) card is the Amish term for adolescence. Rumspringa is a period when some Amish youth, experience greater freedom. They are no longer under the control of their parents on weekends and, because they are not baptized, they are not yet under the authority of the church. During this time, many Amish youth adhere to traditional Amish behavior. Others, however, experiment with “worldly” activities such as buying a car, going to movies, wearing non-Amish clothes, or buying a new electronic device. At the conclusion of rumspringa the youth are expected to choose whether they wish to stay with the community or leave it.