What exactly are the Amish opposed to and why?

Answer 1

It's my understanding that they don't want to be dependent on people outside their community for things - electricity, gas, etc. - because that goes against their beliefs about keeping separate from non-Amish.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amish has a good article on the details and reasons.

Answer 2

Ethnic beginning of the Amish are Swiss, French, and German. Origination of the Amish flow replaced into in Switzerland in 1693 while a collection of Swiss and French Mennonites, led via Mennonite bishop Jakob Ammann, left the Mennonite church. The flow at last unfold into the Palatine region of Germany. The Amish are no longer Dutch. The term Penn Dutch got here approximately as a mispronunciation of Deutsch (German). The Amish left Europe initiating interior the mid 18th century by way of religious prosecution by way of their Anabaptist ideals (person baptism). All Amish at present stay in North usa. The Amish existence-type is per their religious faith and robust kin ties. they suspect the superb thank you to maintain their lifestyle is to have a undeniable degree of separation from mainstream society, even however reckoning on the Amish association and placement, they do look after a courting with the final public.

Answer 3

In general the Amish are opposed to anything that intrudes on their way of life. TV because of its powerful influence on children, same for telephones and in some cases automobiles. They are model citizens, pay taxes etc, yet refuse any and all benefits. Pay for things with cash, refuse interest payments - the bankers love them and their cash hoards. While they are not real socialites they are the first firemen at a community fire and always ready for the rebuilding job. Crime is almost non-existant in their communities and their tradesmen are real craftsmen and reasonable in prices. When a Amish man gets married, he lets his beard grow, but shaves is mustache to remind people of how the Amish suffered under the Kaiser in Germany.

Answer 4

Origins of the Old Order Amish
"They came from a division of the Mennonites or Anabaptists ..."
http://www.holycrosslivonia.org/amish/origin.htm

Mennonites Search for Bible Truth
- Who are the Mennonites? What do they believe?
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2005/9/1/article_01.htm
.

Answer 5

It's no so much a matter of being "opposed" to something. They aim to keep life simple. They feel that modern life and all the trappings that come with it distract people from their relationship with god. Many feel that their lifestyle leaves their mind clear and allows them to focus on their spirituality, and the beauty of the natural world, god's creation.

They are also opposed to baptizing children, as they feel everyone should enter religion as an informed adult.

Answer 6

Well, since no Amish have replied, I'll try to answer (having once driven by an Amish person)

zippers...because they're dangerous?

Answer 7

Actually they are very much a cult and they oppose any religous belief that is not part of thier group belief system.

They are honestly no different as humans than you or I. They have the same temptations, wants and desires. Contrary to popular myth they even use modern technology (cars, wii, cell phones, cars, etc). They are no different than jehovah witnesses, muslims, christian scientists, or even that cult that Maddonna is involved with.

As far as why? Why do you believe or chose not to believe in God and how far will you go for your own belief or nonbelief. To deny it is to deny your own family. This is thier family and we have to respect that.

Although they have a "Pure" reputation, they also have high rates of incest, domestic abuse, murder, suicide, alcoholism and even secretive homasexuality...I can not emphasis enough that they are no better or worse than any population.

Answer 8

They think a simple farming life is the way that God would want them to live. They are against anything that puts one person over another.

I used to live beside them. They were good neighbors.

Answer 9

Technology, modern society

Answer 10

don't think of it as being in opposition of anything - they aren't exactly opposing rabble-rousers.

think of it more as being for simple living. for working the earth, reaping what you sow - literally, not just figuratively. for living for their creator....