Why don't Amish people use electricity?

Question

Why would they want their lives to be harder, because they don't use electricity and other convenient things?
Thanks. :)

Answer 1

Archer, I think you are thinking of Mennonites. They use more modern conveniences. The Amish do not use any modern conveniences, though many Amish towns do have a common phone, just for emergencies. It generally has to be inconvenient to get to.

It is simply their religious belief. Those conveniences distract them from God. They feel it is worth any "hardship" they endure to be closer to God. However, they feel that life is much better without those "conveniences".

Just like any religious group, there are those who do not believe all that and those are the ones who leave their community. They are generally shunned. Also just like any religious group, there are those whose beliefs have become extreme and/or corrupt. The stories you hear most are of girls being abused and forced into marriage at a young age, mostly with relatives. There is always a small subsect that uses their religion to their own gain. Just wanted to show the multiple facets.

Answer 2

They feel that hard work is what God wants from them. They stay behind to a "simpler" life in that they don't have the distractions of television, video games or anything that takes way from time with family and God. They do use propane for lighting, heat, refrigerators and stoves. Nothing in their life is fancy. They understand the importance of community, there is very little crime in the community and what there is normally is a result of the English doing something against them. It is not a bad culture to take a few life lessons from.

Most Amish sects can not keep electric in their homes, if a house is purchased with it, it must be taken out. They also can ride in cars but do not drive them.

Answer 3

I am a Christian, and I don't understand why they don't use any sort of technology.... they think that it is evil, but anything can be used for evil or for good... take a hammer for instance... you can hit someone with the hammer or you can build a house with it... the same goes for the internet... you can send viruses or you can send a email to your mom...

It is the person that chooses to do wrong... not the technology...

However these people are good, they have traditional values and they are nice... in fact one Amish guy is building us a solid hard wood table for us right now... it is of much better quality than crappy storbought furniture...

At least they have some good morals... but it is just their belief... and tradition... the Bible doesn't condemn technology but it is just their way....

God bless

Answer 4

Do Amish Use Electricity

Answer 5

This has to be one of the misunderstood aspects of the Amish culture. Most all Amish do use electricity. What most Amish want to avoid is the use of electricity that is supplied by a utility company in their homes. They will use electrical devices in the home if they can generate the electricity themselves (i.e. generator, solar, etc). They also have no issue with the use of electronic devices outside of the home. Same goes with natural gas. they do not want natural gas lines from a utility company coming into their homes, but almost all Amish homes use propane gas.

Answer 6

I think they believe in a simpler time. I think it's kind of cool but only from an adademic standpoint. Personally I'd like to live that way for a week or two but give me a hot shower and a T.V. afterwards.

Answer 7

their lives are actually simple. They like how they live. Its not so complicated. THeir lifestyle is practical. Like with technology, people have easier ways of doing things making them lazier and people just grow fat. But most amish people are fit because they do things the hard way. Only they don't sho their bodies that much. Their lives are actually very simple.
And noncomplicated.
EAsier isnt always better

Answer 8

For one thing, they were founded before commerical electricity was avaliable. Why won't Bush support fetal stem cell research?

"I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones." ~ John Cage

Answer 9

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Why don't Amish people use electricity?
Why would they want their lives to be harder, because they don't use electricity and other convenient things?
Thanks. :)

Answer 10

The Amish feel that the modern conveniences prevent a person from being close to their spirituality and God. Conveniences are, for the Amish, a distraction from God.