Amish????????

Question

why did they come to America...
help me fing information on Amish..Website??

Answer 1

The website from the other poster is good. But I'm really, really partial to hardcopy books, and recommend VERY STRONGLY the following:

Amish Society, by John A. Hostetler (Johns Hopkins U. Press---this book has gone into at least 3 editions and is very readable and authoritative). Probably the best "overall" source.

If you want more of the history per se, try History of the Amish, by Steven M. Nolt (Good Books).

Both have excellent bibliographies and should be available through your local library, or at Amazon or similar bookseller. Don't forget your library also has a LOT of good stuff there.....

Answer 2

The Amish are a Christian religious group that stresses humility, family, community and separation from the rest of the world.

How did they end up in America? Amish immigrants began coming to the American colonies in the early eighteenth century, settling in Pennsylvania as a result of William Penn's "holy experiment" of religious tolerance. Today, more than 150,000 Amish live in the U.S. with settlements in as many as 24 states.
Learn more at: www.amishdining.com

Answer 3

They were persecuted by the Catholic church in Europe for their beliefs (which at the time were far more sensible than what the Catholics were coming up with) and needed a place to live in peace where they could farm, and be good pacifists.

They are a similar group (but not the same) as the Mennonites. The independent risings of very similar movements is certain evidence that there were valid issues to be had with the church at that time.

They are sometimes ridiculed for being backward by not embracing technology, however, as the ocean rises and the earth warms, their wisdom certainly speaks to me. Because of this, you won't likely find them well represented on-line. Wikipedia might be your best bet: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amish

Answer 4

Originally known as Pennsylvania Deutsch (i.e. of German origin), it got morphed into Dutch by mistake. Most weren't from the Netherlands.

Why did they come? I suppose they were looking for an unspoilt part of the world where they could settle in peace.

Answer 5

I don't know a web site, but since I lived next door to them for a few years, like 20 feet from their yard, I know alot.

They can be nice people but, they are really very hypocritical. They think they are the only ones going to heaven. All of us "English" (that is what they call us) are going to hell.

They are not supposed to have phones at all. About 99 percent have cell phones. They hide them from their Bishop. (He probably has one too!)

They also have tv's and vcr's they hide. They run them off of car batteries.

Some even have cars they hide. And a set of English clothes. So when they can't get a ride somewhere, they drive themselves and dress in their regular clothes so no one will recognise them.

(They are not supposed to have all of this stuff because they are supposed to stay away from worldly stuff.)

It does say in the Bible about keeping your hands busy (don't remember where) so that is why they work alot. They are keeping their hands busy. And that is what is going to get them into heaven. The ones I know personally, do have VERY clean and beautiful houses. They don't live like you would imagine if you don't know Amish. They have stoves, fridges, freezers, all run by propane. They have running water, toilet, showers, the works. I have never seen a nasty house yet. Beautiful, I tell ya. The woodwork is very nice. And the men usually make alot of the furniture, like china cabnets, desks, beds, rockers etc..

They always get married on a Thursday if the woman is not pregnant. If she is, then it is a Tuesday wedding.

They drink and cuss like no other at these parties, weddings and birthdays. You would not believe the drunkeness. And such vulgar language. They get so drunk, that alot of times, the horse knows the way home and they pass out and the horse gets them home. BUT....They horse may know the way home, but it doesn't know a stop sign. That is how some get killed when they don't stop and a car that has the right of way doesn't see them coming and hits them. They are supposed to have lights on the buggys now, but they try not to use them if they don't see a car coming to save on their battery power so they don't have to charge it any sooner than they have to.

When the children get old enough to work, they work. They only go to school untill the 8th grade. Then they get a job and work. As many Amish own woodworking places, the kids can get a job at these kinds of places. Even though they are running saws and machienery, they are allowed to by law because of thier religion. The girls will usually get a job cleaning English houses. They hire a van to take them back and fourth. And any money they make, goes to their parents. And it is up to their parents as to how much spending money they get for the week.

If someone gets really sick and is in the hospital. They tell the church they attend and the church takes up a seperate collection every time untill enough money is collected to pay the bill in full. And if it is a very large bill, they hold benefits and auctions to help out. (Not a bad idea!)

When the children get old enough to marry, they all move out except the youngest one. And the wife will usually get to live closer to her family. The youngest girl will get married and remain home for life. (I guess she gets the house, don't know for sure on that one though.)

When the kids turn 16....they have what they call a "rumspring". It is where the kid is given regular clothes and money to go out into the world and live for as long as they choose. And they can do anything they want to. This is to give them a chance to check and see if they want to remain Amish. They can drink, do drugs, have sex, wear our kind of clothes, whatever. And if they choose to go back, they have to ask for forgiveness, and they are forgiven, and can never do it again. Then they are allowed to get baptized. And they remain Amish for life. If they choose not to go back, the family has to disown them and are not ever allowed to talk or see them again.

They all speak German and English. Their Bible is written in German.

Well, I have to go to work now. Can't write anymore. I live in Indiana. They live in Grabill, Leo, and Harlan area here in Indiana. Maybe you can find a web site with that info. They also have a couple of factories here that are owned and run by the Amish. They are called Dutch Made and Grabill Cabinets. Maybe you can find something with that. Hope this helps.