Using things like cell phones, and computers. Say an Amish person sinned this way, does the community openly accept the person back into the religion?
2006-12-05 14:48:55 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I don't know about adults, but when amish teens turn 16 they are allowed to go out into the world and experience everything it has to offer (including drugs, alcohol, sex, and all forms of technology). It's called "rumspringa." When they are ready, they then chose to come back to Amish life or leave the community forever.
tidybowl - are you currently being shunned since you are on a computer?
nevermind... you're not Amish... I get it
serena - they were "allowed" in the communites that were filmed in the documentary "The Devil's Playground"
2006-12-05 14:53:23 · answer #1 · answered by Ilikepie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, let me tell you a true story.
I live in Michigan and worked in Human Resources and we hired a brother and sister who were both Amish and they came to work every day wearing their full Amish clothing.
The sister and brother BOTh drove a forklift and ran a computer.
Also, a lot of Amish people do have or phones in their barns (CORRECTION - I'm not sure about whether they can have a cell phone). But it all depends on the Bishop of their religious sect and whether they feel that these are allowed or not.
They are allowed to use these tools and equipment for business purposes, but not in their house. I was surprised to also find out that a lot of Amish had barbecue grills in their back yards.
What was explained to me was that technology is not what is considered evil. What they consider evil is when technology threatens to change things negatively. They see that their relationship with God is to be focused on living a life pleasing to God and in compassion and giving to one another. Let's face it, how much time do you focus on the internet, on TV, on telephone instead of focusing on what is truly important - time with your family, making a positive contribution to your community. In the Amish community they do not have these items that distract them from the important things.
For instance, they don't allow phones in their houses because they feel that having a phone would stop people from coming over to the house. But a phone in the barn is okay in certain sects because they see that there are times when a phone would be truly necessary. But if it is put in the barn, it will not be an easy temptation to spend time gabbing on the phone, which takes you away from the essential things.
The don't have cars because the cars would create pollution and focus the person into spening money on a lot of expensive repairs. They do not have a problem with a person going in an automobile if it is essential, but they don't want people to be focused on the worldly issues. Let's face it, look at all the time and money that has to be spent on maintenance, auto insurance payments, gas, etc - they would rather have that money put to more productive uses.
So, if the technology is for the purposes of work and is essential, they are not considered in sin and they are very welcome to come back to the community. However, if that technology becomes a distraction, then it is considered wrong.
2006-12-05 23:02:38 · answer #2 · answered by Searcher 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I live in an Amish community and yes they can come back. They are shunned until they do.Our Amish do not party when they're 16. They would be shunned.Some communities are more leanant and some are strict. Some move between the communites'
2006-12-05 22:57:19 · answer #3 · answered by danp 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes,they are.They have to confess,but then they are full accepted back into the church.
By the way,Ilikepie,Amish teenagers aren't 'allowed' to go and experience the world,it's more of a case of parents turning a blind eye towards what they're kids are doing that doesn't follow their way of life.
2006-12-05 22:59:38 · answer #4 · answered by Serena 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they have to go before the church (community), and beg for forgiveness for giving into the "western" ways.
I read that...so I really don't know how true it is.
2006-12-05 22:51:27 · answer #5 · answered by ♥Sweet Girl♥ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course. Ever seen Kingpin with Randy Quaid?
2006-12-05 22:51:18 · answer #6 · answered by Atlas 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. They just have to confess it in front of their church and ask for forgiveness.
2006-12-05 22:52:59 · answer #7 · answered by braennvin2 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋