Why are people being disrespectful to the amish?

Question

Don't people know that the amish usually don't want/like their pictures taken? They don't believe in it! Shame on those photographers and news stations who are capitalizing on their grief. You would think they would be more sensitive.

Well I guess not from the media.

Answer 1

From what I've seen the majority of the media have kept a relatively respectful distance. The Amish community seem to understand that the rest of the world empathize with them over this horrific tragedy. And they have chosen to seize this opportunity to show us how they not only talk about their faith, but how they live it. How they walk like Jesus, forgiving the gunmen and embracing his family. They understand the needs of non-Amish people to "do something" and are accepting the donations of money as a blessing from God. I know I have not seen every piece of media coverage, but what I have seen has been respectful. And the message the world is seeing is an important one. One that God wants us to see.

Answer 2

I agree not only are they being disrespectful by taking their picture but they were also stationed in from of their homes for longer than necessary. I understand that is a huge tragedy especially for such a peaceful group of people and their peaceful community, but goodness gracious. The media has no sensitivity for the life style of others as long as they can get their stories. They were asked to allow them to have the funerals in peace without any media coverage and some stations insisted on doing aerial shots. At the time of the funerals there was no need for them to still be in the area, they could have talked to the state police for anymore information that they needed and allowed the families to grieve properly. I believe they wont understand this until (God forbid) something similar tragic happens in there own family.

Answer 3

i agree the media should never have been there.they are great people and want to be left to themselves for the most part. the mennonites are very simular but they can have cars and electric. granted the amish are not as private as people say. they will say hi and such,to be polite but the way people talk about them it sounds as the amish dont want to do that. i knew a great website about the amish i have been trying to find it again,if i do i will post it. i also know that at a certain age the amish allow their kids to go out to our world so to speak. they call it rumspringa,or something like that. it is like god gave adam and eve a choice so amish parents give their kids a choice. belive it or not a very high amount come back to the amish life. they see it as we live a hard life,and their life is easier.in alot of ways it is.however in alot of ways their lives are harder.
i grew up around the mennonites and in fact i was raised as one. my grandmother knew a few amish people.all i know is that they are really nice people that do deserve so much better than what the media is giving them. the police should know better and not allow the media anywhere near the place.
ok i found it if there is anything to be known about the amish,mennonites and other brethern it will be here.

http://www.800padutch.com/amish.shtml

hopefully by us understanding them we can show greater love and support to them.

Answer 4

That’s very thoughtful of you to bring up this subject and your quite right . It's sad that people during periods of mourning have to face so much media attention that it interferes with the process of grieving . I live in Ohio and we have a substantial amount of Amish who live not far from me . Though I have never had extensive contact with them I do know they are a hard working bunch of people with some values to be admired in this day and age . However some seem to resent them because they have there own ways and don't exactly conform to the norm as some people see them .
I haven't followed the story much in this latest situation but am somewhat aware of what’s going on . Media attention seems to know no bounds sometimes especially in these situations . We see what damage it's caused so many high profile people as well . The coverage when princess Di was in her car accident a few years ago and Elvis Presley being practically a prisoner in his own home . It's no wonder such situations come to no good ending because of the media paparazzi hounding them so they get no peace or chance to have free time of their own which is so necessary for us all .
I don't blame the Amish for not wanting pictures taken because many resent them and see them as non conformist in our society but personally I see value for their close knit family units and admire them for their courage in trying to maintain that . I truly don't understand how someone in the media could be so callous at times when they immediately interview family members who have just witnessed the tragedy and death of loved ones and then shove cameras and microphones in their faces often times blocking their path so they are unable to escape the madness . It's very sad and points out an area in which our society can be very cruel at times just to get a news story. Thanks again for a very good question and a pertinent one which needs addressed so the media will learn to have some heart and leave these people alone in their grief , it's quite awful .

Answer 5

sad to say, but people tend to be afraid of that which they do not understand....maybe this is the case....or perhaps because they are fairly defensless to the outside world and most people who would commit a heinous crime are cowrds. I honestly dont know, but it sounds good.

Answer 6

Actually, i visited an amish home, and the man that lived there was happy to let me take photos of him and his family. (it was a field trip for school)

Answer 7

Because this country is all about the individual. No longer does respect exist.

Answer 8

they dislike every one who is different from themselves, its human nature