What do you think of the Amish?

Question

I live in Ohio and near the 2nd largest community of Amish in the world. I have many Amish friends..I am also a "driver" that means I volunteer to drive any Amish person somewhere they have to go but can't take a buggy...sometimes it's a doctor, shopping...all over when they need help. I've got to know about 20 very well and they all speak of the abuse they face...they always ask me why so many hate them etc...I always tell them I don't have a clue why some hate them......they are the most humble kind, generous people..they really are...

Do any of you have a problem with them or know why some people do?

Answer 1

Why do high school kids beat up on nerds? It's the same thing - it's just a form of bullying those that they don't understand. Some people I know don't like the Amish because they believe they are hypocrites; they won't get a car and drive themselves because their religion doesn't allow it, yet they'll allow themselves to be driven around.
Personally, I think the Amish have so much more spiritually than us modern folk. Also, they are so much more in tune with the land and not as materialistic. I wish I were more like that. If we were all more like that, perhaps there wouldn't be as much strife in this country.

Answer 2

I admire the Amish and there ability to keep the modern day world out. Especially the problems with morality. I believe this is why some people do not like them. They do not allow modern day society to break down their since of family and morals. Notice, that if anything is good or anybody tries to live a decent life, someone will have negative comments about them.
Back in highschool I was one who did not party or hang with the in crowd. I was rather shy. Our group of friends did not grow up as fast as others in school. We were teased all the time for not
being like the majority.

I have no problem with the Amish, God Bless them!

Answer 3

With Amish and Mennonite ancestors, i will attempt to furnish an answer. basically, the Amish chop up from the Mennonites at the same time as they felt the path became growing to be too "worldly" and too "present day." The gown criteria are not strict, in step with se, yet extra alongside the strains of warding off some thing that ought to call interest to the clothing (and for this reason, grow to be worldly in nature). the significant large difference between the Amish clothing and "previous order" Mennonite is the shortcoming of any print in Amish fabrics. that's all "undeniable" and hence, a Mennonite would evaluate an Amish human being a "undeniable" human being. Edit upload: And now it truly is a comic tale... oh, nicely. chuckling relish my reaction, besides. i'm no longer Amish or Mennonite, yet have studied their techniques. For everyone fascinated, "Witness" with Harrison Ford became made with cooperation of the Amish. about the purely component that became out of position became the lady's "tan strains" as she became giving herself a bath (spoke of by technique of Ford).

Answer 4

At one time I envied them their ability to withstand the pressures of modern living, and be able to keep their simple life style.

Then I read an article in Legal Affairs Magazine:

Quote: In some church districts, which encompass only 2 or 3 dozen families scattered along back roads, there appear to be many crimes like Johnny and Eli's (incest, sexual abuse) to forgive. No statistics are available, but according to one Amish counselor who works with troubled churches members across the Midwest, sexual abuse of children is "almost a plague in some communities." Some police forces and district attorneys do their best to step in, though they are rarely welcomed. Others are slow to investigate or quick to let off Amish offenders with light punishments. When that happens, girls like Mary are failed 3 times; by their families, their church, and their state.

When Mary's brothers began raping her, she turned to her mother agains. Sally scolded the boys and gave them what Eli described as a light "Mothers tap". She also gave them a herb that she hoped would reduce their sex drives. When the abuse resumed and Mary went back to her mother, she said Sally responded, " You don't fight hard enough and you don't pray hard enough."

Answer 5

While I do not agree with certain aspects of their religion - they are MORE devoted to God than most Christians claim they are.

I have no problem with them living their life style, and in fact envious of them in that regard. They are wonderful people and I've never heard of any "valid" complaints.

When this country faces dire hardship (and its coming) the Amish and Mennonites will outlast most Americans. They will know more how to deal with survival than we who are spoiled by all our modern conveniences.

Those idiots who mistreat them have no clue, and are extremely short sighted. They should be learning from them rather than causing them grief.

Answer 6

Nope, I never heard anything like that, actually Ive heard the opposite things, like how nice they are and handy when it comes to building homes and things. I live within 75 miles to an Amish community here in Ontario, Canada.

Answer 7

I hadn't even realized that they faced a lot of abuse, which is really sad. To me they are a fascinating culture which despite taking a path which others may look down upon, seems to work well for them. But the fact that they have chosen to follow this different path and be different is probably the same reason they face hate. There are a lot of people who hate what is different out there.

Answer 8

No problems here. I have liked and respected all that I have met. My husband's mother was raised Amish and my mother was raised Mennonite. Although neither are the path that we follow, both are beautiful paths/cultures in their own right.

Answer 9

Some people are just mean to others when they see people that they presume are weak, they think when really they are humble. People are mean to them because it makes them feel better which is really, really sad.

Answer 10

They are good people who keep to themselves and bother no one. I didn't know they were hated by anyone. That is a shame. I'll bet the haters call themselves Christians, too.