Amish Religion

Differences

Similarities

• In the Amish religion, communion occurs twice a year, while Christians take it every Sunday Service.

• Both religions are involved with the Holy Bible as their sacred text.

• They are monotheist. Meaning, they only believe and worship one God.

• Christians go to Church buildings. The Amish faith isolate themselves from the modern world so, they go to one members house to worship their God.

• They believe in Jesus, the Son of God, and commemorate him in rituals such as receiving communion.

• Amish people live their life "old-fashion," by not being able to use electricity. Christians are the opposite, they are more modernized, and are allowed to use cars, and technologies.

• Amish celebrate the Holy days just like the Christian faith.

• The Amish religion has their own set of practices in their faith such as shunning.

• Both are opposed to any violence.

FUN FACTS !!

:)

• Amish kids play with Amish Dolls. It is described to have no face, fingers or toes. They are dressed as any Amish individual. They represent how each is equal in God's eyes.

• Education for kids only takes 8 years. Teachers focus on their reading, writing, and languages such as English and Pennsylvania Dutch. After these 8 years, children are expected to work and help their parents.

1.

• Amish don't like having their picture taken as it serves as, "graven images." They believe it goes against their faith.

Origins of Amish

6.

6.

Practices

Shunning

Sacred Texts

4.

Rituals

The Amish founder, Jakob Ammann, taught his Amish followers ways of living. This includes taking the Holy Bible very literal and to shun ex-members of the church. If one were to break their baptismal vows by disobeying the church's rules and not participating with the church, they are to be shunned. When one is shunned, church members are not allowed to accept anything from them, do any sort of business with them, and sit at the same table during public gatherings with them. Not only does it affect that certain individual but, it also affects their families emotionally. However, if they are committed to repent for their sins, then they are welcomed back to live their Amish lifestyle once again.

Rumspringa

Rumspringa is a practice that is relevant to young youths. It is a time where one can rebel against their Amish practices as it indicates their freedom. It helps that individual prepare for their baptism and gives them time to strengthen their knowledge on the Amish faith.

Foot washing

Foot washing is a very common practice in the Amish community. As mentioned before, it is seen during the communion ritual twice a year. Since they take the Bible very literal, the Amish do this within their community and God as this practice was first introduced by Jesus when he cleansed his Disciples' feet. This serves as a sign of humility.

Believer Baptist

The Amish religion originated from Europe, then settled in North America. The members were involved in the Anabaptist movement during the Protestant reformation. In the time of 1536, a Dutch Catholic priest, Meno Simmons, formed a certain Christian Anabaptist group called the Mennonites. Their beliefs were against the government in which led his followers to get arrested, threatened or even killed. This made other groups of the Anabaptist movement face a large amount of violence in Europe. To escape this, some left and immigrated to Switzerland and Southern Germany. In which later on started to follow the founder of Amish, Jakob Amman, who taught ways of living through different practices, rituals, and beliefs in 1693. He believed that the religion was too complex and wanted to find simplicity in it.

Due to what the Mennonites caused in past, this affected the way the Amish lived their own life. They first settled in Pennsylvania from 1727-1790, then migrated and settled in the states of Ohio, New York, Indiana, and Illinois between 1815-1865.

Jakob Amman

Meno Simmons

Where are they now?

In an Amish life, baptism was a very big issue that was dealt during the Anabaptist movement and to many individuals, it is considered the most important ritual. It is different than other religions since people make their vows in their late teens to their early twenties. They believed that it is more suitable for people that were mature enough to make their own decision, being able commit themselves to the Amish faith. But, before the actual ceremony, churches provide teachings that allow Baptism candidates the ways of life in an Amish perspective. On the day of the ceremony, each participant is cleansed and purified from the holy water that the Deacon place on them. Through this, it shows that one is a committed to following Jesus' ways of living, the Ordnung and indicates how one wants to be a part of the Amish church.

From the first voyagers that traveled from Europe to North America, the Amish population has grown steadily. Settlements were then formed mainly in the USA (Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania), then found their way in Ontario,Canada. The Amish population between those two countries alone is at, 250000 people at the least. However, Amish people today are categorized into four different groups based on their way of living: New Order Amish, Beachy Amish, Amish Mennonites and Old Order Amish.

Sacred writings to the Amish religion are similar to what we Christians use, the Holy Bible. They see this sacred item as the Word of God in forms like the gospel, His teachings, and parables. The bible interprets the bible verses in a literal sense in which describes how they live their simple lifestyle now.

"Martyr Mirror," is another sacred text in the Amish faith, where it can be found in every Amish home. It emphasizes on the events that occurred to their ancestors in Europe, how they were treated badly based on their beliefs with violence and hatred by the government, Catholics and those who were opposed to them. "Ausbund," is a hymnal holy book that was published in Germany in 1564. This book is similar to Martyr Mirror, as it allows people to commemorate the journey Amish people experienced. These hymns are sung without any musical instruments and speak out on humility, sufferings, tortures, and conviction.

The "Ordnung," is a written rule book that is formed from generations ago and can be changed over the time, if it is required. Although it is not exactly like the Holy Bible that they use, it is based on the Holy Scriptures. This guides the Amish community to help an individual to live a better Christian life. It restricts them to live any normal life but to follow their way of living their own lifestyle.

Communion

Amish Weddings

Since family is very important to the Amish, it is essential for an individual to find a partner and be able to live on their own. Marriages between two baptized members are joined together at the bride's home during fall, where families are most likely available to join and get involved in. On the special occasion, women are to wear a dress that they sewed all together and for men to wear a black suit. Just like any weddings, a church ceremony takes place along with a meal that is shared within their whole family. Later on the day, the newly-wed receive gifts from their loved one, usually items that will help the Amish couple start their new life together.

Communion for the followers of the Amish faith happens rarely, as it only occurs twice a year- in the spring and fall. According to the Amish calendar, it considered as one of the holiest events that take place. Just like the Amish church service, it locates in one member's home that lasts 6-8 hours. Within the service, participants must confess their sins to the group, consume the bread and wine, be active in the foot-washing, preach, and share a light meal with one another. This ritual commemorates Jesus' death on the cross and shows how one is committed to God.

5.

Holidays/Festivals

2.

The Amish Beliefs

Christmas

Christmas for Amish farming families are celebrated on three different dates. Since Amish people have a larger group than others, it is hard to establish them all in one place, therefore, it is easier to celebrate Christmas on Dec 25 and on a Second Christmas that follows the day after that. Additionally, Old Christmas is celebrated on January 6th, exactly twelve days after the Jesus' birthday where they commemorate the the day the three wise men arrived to Bethlehem.

However, followers of this faith, don't believe in Santa like the others or use any decorations such as having a large pine tree. Amish people usually visit their relatives, exchange gifts, share a big feast, go caroling, sledding and skating on this holiday. These special days are for families to bond with one another and rest from their hard work.

Amish people are seen as independent and hardworking individuals. They believe that they are called to live a simple life that indicates their dedication, discipline, humility, and their faith as one. Living a simple lifestyle is their way of expressing and practicing their religion as it is evident in the Ordnung, a set of rules that strengthen their Amish faith.

The Amish religion has very similar beliefs as the Christian faith. Both are considered monotheism, meaning, they only believe and worship one God. Amish people prioritize the Word of God as they take the Holy Bible very literal. Which is then followed by the importance of their families, farms, and communities as their second. They believe doing good deeds such as working hard will gain their entry in heaven. Good deeds in life means eternal salvation in heaven with God. For example, they pursue this through their work in the farms.

With that, people of the Amish faith are known for separating themselves from the world. Their lifestyle differs as they have a different perspective on life and try to live free from modern society. It is a belief that Amish people do not rely on government services that include health care, education, and other systems that run by them. They live their lives in an "old-fashion" way by being able to restrict themselves from anything that deals with the government and reject objects that use electricity.

Overall, their lifestyle and beliefs lead followers of the Amish faith to be involved with one another, dealing with less violence, seeking peace, and bringing goodness to oneself and their communities.

Thanksgiving

Ascension Day

Thanksgiving is an event that most Amish people celebrate. It is a day where individuals give thanks to their family and friends for the things they have done for them. This is followed by gathering around the table to have a feast that was prepared by the mother of the house for everyone. After meals, adults usually socialize and see how each one is doing, along with kids playing games outside.

The Ascension Day is celebrated within the the Amish faith as it is for individuals to reflect and pray. It takes place on a Thursday as it is exactly 40 days after Easter, known as "The Feast of Ascension." On the day of reflection, they are prohibited from working and are called to gather around the church on the morning of. After mass, people usually commemorate Jesus' ascension into heaven with the Amish community or within their own family.

Symbols

Horse and Buggies

3.

Symbols

Amish people use horses and carriages for their transportation since their lifestyle is very "old-fashioned." It is reminder of how they should maintain a simple lifestyle and refuse the use of electricity. The horse and the buggy relates more to the gospel than any other transportation. It not only preserves energy but, it also helps the environment, unlike cars that release pollution.

Amish Attire

The Hex signs

There are different types of Hex signs that display different meanings, as it makes each one unique. This idea was oriented by the Dutch's beliefs not the Amish's. These signs are seen throughout the Amish community, as it is on barns and homes. For the most part, hex signs symbolize protection and bring positivity or prosperity to those that live under the sign wherever it may be placed. Immigrating from Europe to settle in North America, the Amish were able to form better farms as it is very important to them. Therefore, it is an essential for them to decorate it by painting and adding colorful symbols to them.

As mentioned before, the Amish people are known for their separation from the world. Through their ways of dressing, they are considered as "the plain people," in which allows themselves to distinguish from society. Based on how their clothes are designed, it reveals a person's marriage and church status. All outfits for the are handmade from simple fabrics that are matched with buttons and old fashion hooks. The Amish attire symbolizes their uniqueness, their isolation from others, and unity in the Amish community.

Women wear solid or neutral colors that cover most of their body, as well as a cape or an apron worn on top. According to the bible, if a women's head is uncovered, it means that she is dishonoring God. So, since they are prohibited to cut their hair and wear any accessories, they are to tie it in either a bun or in braids where it is hidden under a white or black cap.

As for men, they wear solid colors shirts and dark full-cut pants that are held up by suspenders. It is paired up with straight cut vests, dark socks, and shoes. To top it all off, they can wear their outfit with either a straw hat or a dark felt hat that protects them from the sun when they do their farm work. However, they also have restrictions on their dress code as they are not permitted to have creases, cuffs, belts, and lapels.

>>

• "Heart - represents marriage and fidelity."
• "Birds - symbolizes joy and peace to strength and endurance."
• "Flowers - represents abundance and prosperity."

>>

Reference Page

Ebooks:

• "Amish." Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life, 3rd ed., vol. 2: Americas, Gale, 2017, pp. 49-56. Gale Virtual Reference Library, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=GVRL&sw=w&u=tplmain&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CCX3648200128&it=r&asid=6d65fdee953b2b8746e19296fc07c982. Accessed 20 July 2017.

• O'Neil, Daniel J. "Explaining the Amish." International Journal of Social Economics, vol. 24, no. 10, 1997, p. 1132+. Academic OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=AONE&sw=w&u=tplmain&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA20067281&it=r&asid=99d9dbd6665bd7484d532f9768b97af3. Accessed 24 July 2017.

Websites:

• Lancaster, Discover. "Pennsylvania Amish History & Beliefs | Story of the Plain Amish in Pennsylvania." Discover Lancaster. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 July 2017.

• "The Amish Way of Life and Culture - Everything you Wanted to Know!" Countryfarm Lifestyles. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 July 2017.

• Inc, Spire Advertising. "Who Are the Amish?" Mission to Amish People. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 July 2017

• "Who were the Anabaptists?" Amish America Who were the Anabaptists Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 July 2017

• "Symbols & Rituals." The Amish Lifestyle. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 July 2017.

• "What Is the Amish Dress Code?" Our Everyday Life. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 July 2017.

• Wigington, Patti. "The Magic of Pennsylvania Dutch Hex Signs." ThoughtCo. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 July 2017.

• Outlet, Alans Factory. "The History and Meaning of Barn Hex Signs." Carports, Garages, Amish Sheds, Horse Barns at Alans Factory Outlet. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 July 2017.

• "How Often Do the Amish Do Communion?" Our Everyday Life. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 July 2017.

• "Amish Shunning." AMISH SHUNNING. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 July 2017.

The Amish Religion

by: Hazel Orea