It’s natural for people who see the Amish for the first time to focus on the beards, the quilts, the pies, the one-room schools, and the bonnets.
These public symbols and images allow the Amish to stand out in the different cultures around them, the symbols are what sets them apart and make them fascinating.
Yet here is what I’m learning in my first days and weeks living near several Amish families that have moved into my county, one family almost next door:
What I couldn’t see from the outside is perhaps the most interesting thing about the Amish, their rich, deep, and very powerful spirituality.
Lots of us are preached to about forgiveness, humility, and compassion, but the Amish live it, every minute, every hour of every day.
I am learning that they are about so much more than the pies they make and the sheds they sell and the clothes they wear.
More than anything else, this is what I admire about them and what makes them fascinating to a society that is rapidly losing its common sense of faith, and the meaning of honesty, and morality.
Their spirituality is not something they think about on Sunday, or follow when it is convenient. It is their biding light, it is a part of them.
It is the Amish spirituality that underlies everything they wear, do, believe, and live by.
Some of these values are visible, many are not. I’ve had many hours of conversation with my new Amish neighbors in the past few weeks. I’ve often suggested or asked about something they can’t do.- like an electronic fence.
Unlike many of the people I’ve known, they have never made me feel stupid, or irritating, or clueless. I’ve never once felt I was being talked about or somebody was rolling their eye at my back as I left.
There is a gentleness about them, they seem careful to preserve my dignity as well as their own. These qualities, I’ve learned are spiritual practices, not etiquette.
I’m still trying to work out one of the great ironies of the Amish experience: they faithfully follow the moral teaching of Jesus Christ, while fewer and fewer Christians in America – even many pastors – seem to know what they are.
Perhaps it’s true that one has to leave our greedy, quarrelsome, and distract culture behind in order to have and keep our faith and show compassion for our fellow human beings.
It’s a shame the Amish are not into telling other people what to do or how to live, we can learn a lot from them. I intend to learn by listening and observation.
Amish spirituality is rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ, especially his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).
The Amish use Martin Luther’s German translation of the Bible (1534) in their prayers. Although Amish preachers frequently refer to the Old Testament, only New Testament Texts are read in church.
A passage from Matthew, Luke, or John is read in twenty-two of the twenty-six services throughout the year(church is held every other Sunday).
Matthew’s three chapters on the Sermon on the Mount are given the most attention. It’s the frequent use of Jesus’ sermon – his most extensive statement on moral beliefs – that makes it an Amish manifesto of faith, a central core of their ideology.
In his book Simply Amish, Donald B. Kraybill, perhaps the foremost authority on Amish Life, lists some of the texts that link them to Jesus and his Sermon On The Mount:
-“Blessed are the meek” (5:5) accents the importance of humility.
-“Blessed are the peacemakers” (5:9) and “Love your enemies (5:44) inspire the Amish emphasis on nonviolence and conscientious objection to war.
-Being “salt” and “light” in the world (5:13,14) calls the Amish to practice their faith rather than seek converts.
-“Judge not” (7:1) underscores humility and leads the Amish not to judge or condemn other people or religious groups.
– “Enter through the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction” (7:13) highlights the Amish emphasis on separating themselves from worldly culture – music, technology, theater, TV, parties.
-“By their fruits, ye shall know them (7:20) encourages Amish people to focus on practicing their faith and obeying the teachings of Jesus in daily life rather than on dogma and doctrine, as the major Christian and Jewish faiths tend to do.
The Amish abhor pride and narcissism. Their emphasis on humility and self-denial reinforces their rejection of pride as a matter of great conviction.
It is impossible to overderestimate the link between Amish spirituality and The Sermon On the Mount. The Beatitudes are familiar from the Old Testament.
But in his sermon, Jesus gives them new meaning and brings them to life. He presented a new set of ideas that focused on love and humility rather than force and master; they reflect the highest ideals of Jesus’ mostly abandoned (at least in American politics) teachings on spirituality and compassion.
The Sermon is set early in the Ministry of Jesus after he has been baptized by John the Baptist and had returned from a long fast and contemplation in the Judaean Desert where he had been tempted by Satan to renounce his spiritual mission and gain worldly riches.
Humility is one of the cornerstone Amish values.
To the Amish, pride suggests unfettered individualism. Anything that calls attention to the self – fancy clothing, wristwatches, fancy curtains and drapes, even ornaments on a harness or carriage – are seen as exhibitions of pride.
I’m struck by the fact that many Amish beliefs – especially those preached by Jesus – survive almost intact in the present-day Amish faith, even as they are increasingly ignored or shunted aside by many people in the modern world who claim to be Christians.
One of the most fascinating elements of the Amish journey is how the members managed to keep their values and families intact in the face of staggering temptations and change happening continuously outside of their cloistered world.
They’ve kept their faith for hundreds of years. Moise told me “if we’ve always done it, we will always do it.”
Their life is austere in belongings, rich in belief. Most Amish decline jewelry, cosmetics, or personal photographs.
Much of an Amish child’s religious instruction comes from mottos, such as a constant reminder that i is the middle letter of pride. The word joy is used to remind children that Jesus is first, Others are next, and You are last.
The Amish faith calls members to obedience to the will of God and to the teachings of Christ. Members of the faith are taught to obey those with authority over them: children their parents, students their teachers, members their leaders, and younger ministers their bishop.
Amish people take seriously the promise of Matthew (18:18-20) that whatever you decide on earth will be bound in heaven, as well as the assurance that God is present whenever two or three people are gathered in God’s name.
The Amish don’t believe in being born again, nor do they use the Evangelical language of a “personal relationship with Jesus.”
The very heart of Amish spirituality involves yielding oneself to a higher authority. They speak of a “living hope” an abiding belief that God, a fair and righteous judge, will grant eternal life to the faithful followers of Jesus.
Amish children are taught the meaning of submission in the lines of schoolroom verses like this one:
I must be a Christian child
Gentle, patient, meek, and mild,
Must be honest, simple, and true
In my words and actions too.
I must cheerfully obey
Giving up my will and way.
One of the things that have struck me in my recent time with Amish families is that despite their very strong emphasis on humility, obedience, and community, the Amish are respectful of their own dignity and the dignity of every person in their family and every person in the “English” world.
Amish children tend to carry themselves with dignity and calm. Because they spent no time on computers or cell phones, they know how to talk to people and do.
I can testify that within the moral boundaries of Amish life, which are strict, family members have many ways in which to express their individual preferences and choices, from many kinds of work to marriage to leaving the faith.
One of the first things I noticed about my Amish child neighbors is how open they are, how confident and willing to engage with the outside world. They obey their parents, but they do not seem to fear them at all. The children are not automatons.
They are at ease, outspoken, different from one another, with differing opinions and attitudes. I’ve seen no one try to discourage them from speaking openly or scold them to stay in line.
But when all is said and done, the community comes first and takes preference over the individual. The wisdom of decades is valued over the opinion of one person, or many scientific findings.
Researching the Amish online, I found a summary of Amish spirituality called “Rules of A Godly Life,” first printed in 1736 in Switzerland. The last paragraph of the book contains this admonition:
“Finally, in your conduct be friendly toward everyone and a burden to none. Toward God, live a holy life; toward yourself, be moderate, toward your fellow men, be fair, in life, be modest; in your manner, courteous in admonition, friendly; in forgiveness, willing, in your promises, true; in your speech, wise; and out of a pure heart gladly share of the bounties you receive.”
This is the first time I have heard of the motto “Joy” – Jesus, others, you. A profound teaching for children.
I think the clear teachings and boundaries of their lives makes for happy, inquisitive and confident children.
I am enjoying your writing about the Amish so much. I have read a lot of books about them, nonfiction and novels. But your particular perspective and insights are delightful. Thank you
Thanks to you, Jean…
You write in abstract generalities: “forgiveness, humility, and compassion, but the Amish live it, every minute,”
Can you give first hand, concrete examples of their forgiveness, humility, and compassion?
Charles, I have at least five examples in the piece and a hundred more in my recent blog posts, which I would urge you to read if you want more details. If you are hungry to know more, I’d suggest doing your own research, there are scores of books about the Amish. Try starting with Google.
Sorry. You didn’t understand the question. There is possibly one, about eschewing jewelry in the above piece but even that is generic. I am asking about first hand, concrete examples you have personally witnessed.
Abstracting dulls a story. I’m not looking for full Google summaries in a blog by someone who says he is a writer.
Charles, with all due respect, I don’t define my role as doing research for you, or in entertaining or stimulating you. But you do deserve a response.
I write about what interests me, not necessarily what interests you, and I don’t take orders or requests from anyone about what I choose to write. It would drive me crazy. You are not my only critic. There is only one of me, but thousands of you.
I love the freedom I have on my blog to finally write for myself. I love it.
This is my own philosophy for my blog, sorry if you find it dull.
I have never in a dozen years of blogging had more readers on any given subject than this. I’m grateful for that.
This piece was narrow and informative in my mind, responding to specific questions about the spirituality of the Amish. People were confused about their spiritual roots.
It wasn’t a general interest feature story culling from my personal observations about the details of their lives. I’ve done about 15 of those on my blog and hope to do many more.
I’m afraid I am a take-it-or-leave-it writer, no offense. I do understand what you want, it isn’t very complicated. I hope you understand what I want. I think the piece does a good and solid job of linking Amish spirituality to Jesus and the Sermon On The Mount. That was the purpose.
If you need more than that, I’d suggest once more than you go and search for it. There are scores of books and 350,000 Amish people scattered all over America, I’m sure most would be very happy to speak with you and satisfy your curiosity about your specific interests. Or you can wait until I get to it. Your choice. I hope this helps. jon
The way you romanticize a group of people who systematically enforce outdated gender norms, and who have been extremely cruel to any children who have the misfortune to fall outside of heteronormative boundaries, is sickening.
Jessica, I am very sorry to be making you sick. Not the purpose of my blog. I have two bits of advice.
One, go read someone who makes you healthy and happy. I’m not good on enforcing norms, heteronormative or otherwise.
Two, check out this Website –
https://khealth.com/stomach-issues/?af_c=12658007488&af_c_id=12658007488&af_siteid=&af_adset=121893238442&af_ad=515153794995&af_ad_id=515153794995&pid=google_lp&af_viewthrough_lookback=1d&c=12658007488&keyword=kwd-1301135025&af_keywords=%2Bnausea&utm_source={adgroup}&utm_matchtype=b&utm_campaign={campaign}&af_sub2=13006252224235108241&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1dGqudqD8AIVqP_ICh0rkgDXEAAYASAAEgK94PD_BwE –
they can help you. For just $19 you can text a doctor. They offer same-day prescriptions and can help you both with your heteronormative boundaries (I tried to look it up, but Google says there are no matches for the term) and your sickness.
I’m a dogged researcher and I did come across an article online Heteronormativity, Disgust Sensitivity, and Hostile Attitudes toward Gay men: Potential Mechanisms to Maintain Social Hierarchies. It seems that heteronormative ideology serves as a social force that maintains dominant group members’ status (e.g. heterosexual men.)
Is this your complaint against the Amish? That they are hostile to gay men? Amish theology is strongly against judging other cultures or religions, I have never heard a critical word from an Amish person about anyone,let alone gay people. If you have evidence otherwise, I’d love to see it and share it.
If this is what you are talking about, I’d suggest giving it a shot in English, you are far over my head. Grow up, please and speak like a normative. jon
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7100401/
Wow. Imagine never having heard the word “heteronormative” before now! That explains a lot. And imagine thinking that the Amish are not hostile to homosexuals. I suggest, for your education, that you check out some of the heartbreaking stories of young gay men and lesbians who suffered extraordinarily because they happened to be born into Amish families: https://www.lgbtamish.com/our-voices.html
Why don’t you ask your friend Moise what exactly would happen if one of his children told him that he or she were gay? I think you might find the answer a little less Pollyanna than you’re assuming from the culture.
Ah, thanks Jessica for explaining yourself in a coherent and clear way as opposed to tossing cheap insults around and wondering why nobody wants to talk about it with you. In case you don’t know it, people don’t like being insulted, it doesn’t open them to new or important ideas.
You raise a valid and important issue and I will certainly raise it with Moise – but not in the judgemental way you express yourself. I don’t judge other people for their lifestyles – that is the national disease – and the persecution of gay and trans people is deeply offensive to me. It’s a very fair point to raise, and thanks for raising it thoughtfully rather than in a knee-jerk way. You and Michael might enjoy speaking with one another. My wife never heard of the term either, and Google doesn’t have a single match for it.
I would also caution you against generalizing about all of the Amish. There are many different kinds who act in many different ways. Seeking Moise and Barbara with their sons and daughters has touched me deeply. They have raised wonderful children. They don’t deserve to be cast in so broad a brush.
You have given me something to think about and chose to express it in a civil way, once prodded. I appreciate you for that. I am very fond of the Amish people I have met, and am not looking to call them our or demean their values. But I do want to know what Moise and others have to say about it and feel about it. And I would certainly share that.
I’m sorry to be too dumb to understand you, you might try being less arrogant and self-righteous, even in a good cause. Somehow, I will have to live with myself for not being familiar with your terms. I suppose this is why I didn’t make it through college (thankfully.)
Jon, just curious–why do you seem so proud of the fact that you’ve never heard of the idea of heteronormativity? Why do you feel that you need to make fun of people who DO know what it is? I’m not surprised that you’ve never heard of it: it’s a term used by millennials and Gen Z, and not something that you’d have been likely to have encountered. But why not celebrate learning something new, rather than knocking people who know something that you don’t? Personally, I think it’s a great day when I learn a new word, or glimpse a new way of looking at things. You seem so taken with the Amish ideas about humility, but you’re showing the antithesis of humility in this exchange.
I have a problem with self-righteousness, I guess. And what can I tell you? I’m a smart ass who loves to argue, especially with people I believe to be bullies.
What do you mean, Google doesn’t have a single match for heteronormativity? Are you Googling in the bizarro universe? I think you obviously spelled it wrong. I just put it in now, and I got 3,330,000 hits.
Jeffrey, you are correct, I was wrong. I did spell it incorrectly.
Jon–“heteronormativity” is a very common term. Not sure why you’re acting as though it isn’t, or that it isn’t English. Per Wikipedia: “Heteronormativity is the belief that heterosexuality is the default, preferred, or normal mode of sexual orientation. It assumes the gender binary and that sexual and marital relations are most fitting between people of opposite sex.” Seems like a very fair comment about the Amish, who have based an entire culture around these rigid gender norms.
Michael, I don’t consider “sickening” a fair or simple comment, or a good way to start a complex conversation. Sorry that you do. I read the quote you mentioned and put it in my reply. I would caution you against generalizing in so sweeping and undocumented away. I’ve seen some Amish with their children and I am deeply touched by their love and concern. It’s an important issue and it ought to be discussed. I’m sorry, but I am not familiar with the term and am just not as smart as you are. My nose is twitching when I’m around judgmental academics. I will pursue it…I’m of the Beavis and Butthead school…because I was never told what to think, I am free to think.
Hello, Jon. I have a Ph.D. in American Religious History, and I’ve done quite a bit of work on the Amish. There’s no question that no Amish sect would allow open homosexuality in its midst. I recommend that you take a look at James Cates, SERPENT IN THE GARDEN: AMISH SEXUALITY IN A CHANGING WORLD if you’re interested in the subject. Cates is respectful and balanced, and in no way is the book a hatchet job. But here’s a quotation from a review of the book that is pertinent:
Cates is unflinching in his discussion of gay identity within the Amish. Gay Amish face a choice of leaving the church (and thus their families, churches, communities and vocations) or sublimating their gay identities and presenting a heterosexual self. Because “personal identity is subsumed to the group,” and because the collective culture of the Amish is heteronormative, there is no openly gay Amish subgroup. He does not foresee a change in their stance toward LGBTQ people: “The Amish attempt to maintain their heteronormative standard is part of a larger, longstanding overarching effort to retain their way of life, regardless of the derision heaped upon them.”
Very useful and helpful post, I’ve ordered the book, and thank you for recommending it..
Many of these posts have been informative, useful, and instructive. I appreciate the conversation, if not the tone of many of the comments. I have a lot of things still to learn about the Amish and a lot of other things. I appreciate the messages that are posted respectfully and in a civil way. I tend to learn from them and pay more attention, I definitely have a knee-jerk reaction to what I perceive as righteousness and pomposity, and I absolutely hate knee-jerk thinking, left or right. The Orthodox Jews in my family often cast out their gay sons and daughters, so do some Muslims and many Evangelical so-called Christians. I didn’t know about the Amish, but of course, it makes sense if you pay attention to the faith. I’m not sure how I will respond to it.
I really do not believe in judging other people for having different values than mine. I didn’t approve of it when Trump did it, I don’t approve of it when progressives do it. Tolerance is about accepting other ways of living. This often collides with bigotry, cruelty, and misogyny, and the basic human rights of people. I don’t cast aside friends for thinking differently than I do, I never have, I see it as the true and original American pandemic.
You don’t have to be a conservative to embrace cultural fascism. I do love learning things, and it’s always a good thing to be reminded of being cautious about romanticizing things. There is much I admire about the Amish and their values, including their opposition to war and their deep belief in forgiveness. There are lots of books about that also.
I appreciate the friends I have made in the Amish community and will not turn on them because of their faith. It is troubling to me, and I want to think about it and consider the information I’ve gotten tonight and speak with them about it. There is nothing “sickening” about them to me.
” Some of it is very new to me. I have absolutely no apologies to make for not having heard of heteronormativity or at poking fun at the people who use it assuming anyone who hasn’t heard about it is dumb. That is just elitism. I’m grateful for the conversation, it has given me a lot to think about, and hopefully to write about. I think everybody had their say. So I’m moving on now. Thanks to the people who responded so thoughtfully. I do appreciate it.
Enjoying yet another quick, short story of a new beginning and new friends!❤️
For some reason I had the same thought about homosexuality when reading your post today. I have been following and I appreciate learning about the Amish through you. It seems they have many wonderful qualities that they promote and maintain in their communities. They are family people who care about others. But by banishing their own because of something like LGBTQ identities just seems cruel to me. Of course, it is not any non-Amish person to judge but lets not put on rose colored glasses when it comes to their acceptance.
I agree, Kelly, it seems cruel to me also. But I’m not going to judge them.