No disrespect intended?

Question

If the Amish dont like modern things how do they reconcile using modern medcine.My sympathy and God Bless to all the community.

Answer 1

Each individual can form his own opinion, but the Amish as a group do not find anything in the bible that prohibits modern medicine, surgery, hospitals, transfusion, etc. etc. etc. Also, they are not hypocrites - if a child is sick, they will seek help; they do not stand aside and "hope" for the State to step in the way some religious folks do.

They might not let a kid have an iPod, not because it is a modern electronic device, but because someone might give him rap music with sordid language and appalling ideas.

They are not backward so much as trying to avoid sinful influences.
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Answer 2

To put it bluntly -- most of them are not at ALL happy about their children being in modern hospitals, for just the reasons you stated, but the state can force parents to accept medical care for their child in order to save the child's life.

The idea behind the Amish faith is not, however, to reject modern technology or techniques -- it's to remain strong as a community. Many Amish towns have experimented with modern technology and the elders watched the experiment to see if the technology built up the community or separated it. Many of the amish woodshops now have computers that help run the business, which are run off generators filled with gasoline (Amish believe that as far as possible, they should MAKE the things they use -- it's not possible for them to refine oil to gasoline, but they CAN buy gas and a generator and make their electricity themselves). In these cases, the computers are used STRICTLY for the benefit of the entire community via business use only. Many amish towns have a phone or two for emergency use to summon aid (how do you think the one teacher 'called' 911?).

Answer 3

I don't think they were even asked wether they'd agree to put their girls into hospitals. A local authority (maybe a sherriff or so?) might have decided that FOR THEM.

This is not unusual. Here in PA was a case about 2-3 years ago, in Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, a mother wanted to give birth to her 7th child the normal way, but the doctors tried to force her to have a c-section.
The parents left the building (while in labour!), tried to find another (more trustworthy) hospital, and the powers in Wilkes-Barre General Hospital actually filed for an arrest warrant on that woman, pretending it was dangerous for the child.

Eventually she gave birth the normal way without any problems (since she was experienced enough), and I hope she is sueing these criminals.

So, with that in my mind, I have no doubt that the shocked parents have not been asked yesterday.

Answer 4

That is a very good question. I do not have the answer to that question but I can offer up an opinion. I believe that they want the medicine for obvious reasons and they wish to keep the "old" lifestyle so that it is less likely to be involved in criminal act, drug abuse, domstic violence, and all of those types of things. And as we have seen in the news lately not even the Amish communities are safe from this horrible behavior that they tried so hard to be clear of.

Answer 5

Who said they "don't like modern things." They obey the Bible precisely. The Bible says nothing about "don't like modern things." The faith is based entirely on separation of the world and worldliness. At 16, they allow their young to go into the world and decide for themselves if they wish to return to Amish lifestyle. Somewhere around 90% return. The elders review new technology and determine whether or not to use it depending on the degree of degree of maintenance relying on worldliness. They are peaceful and pacifist. They obey the Bible completely and we would do well to heed their commitment to that. It is not that they don't accept modern development... They do not accept worldly views and protect their citizens from those things that would make them dependent on worldliness. For example: they own tractors but won't use rubber tires because they would have to rely on tire manufacturers in the world to maintain them.

Answer 6

Although the Amish look like they stepped out of the rural nineteenth century, in fact they do change. Their lives move more slowly than ours, but they definitely are not stuck anywhere. They choose to examine change carefully before they accept it. If the new idea or gadget does not assist in keeping their lives simple and their families together, they probably will reject it.

Answer 7

Presumably, when it is a case of saving lives, they know that some modern ways are better.
In the same sense that they called police who brought their cars and modern firearms to their town, because it was all they could do to save their children.
In desperation, people will do whatever it takes.
I hope the surviving kids pull through and they can get back to their normal lives as soon as possible, and my sympathies go out to the families and friends of all the unlucky ones.
I wouldn't have thought your question should offend anybody as it's out of curiosity, not a dig at their way of life.

Answer 8

Once the paramedics arrived, thy probably didn't have any choice.

Have you seen the movie "Witness"? I suspect that they know the limitations of their medicine and that they will let the doctors do what they can't. I also suspect that the local communities respect their belief system and try not to tread on it.

Very sad situation, yesterday. Certainly a demonstration of evil.

Answer 9

I am not sure, but I must say that I respect the dedication that they have when it comes to sacrificing for their principles. People today are so easy to be critical that they miss some of the goal behind behaviors that are seen as odd or misplaced in our day and time. I personally am motivated by their quiet courage to stand apart.

Answer 10

I don't think the chances of someone from the Amish community being on YAnswers is very high.