Are you an Amish? Do you know some?

Question

Do they use computers in their lives?

In cannot imagine a group of person who live in the USA and decide not to use the technologies, the things in general you have (we) today.

That's unthinkable!


ie

Answer 1

There are many communities of Amish; each community sets its own standards of what is permitted to its members - within the overall understanding that G-d comes first and all of life is to be lived to glorify Him.

One avoids technology to avoid being unequally yoked to the world. Imagine the difference between these two scenes: a family sits in the living room at home. The lantern is lit in the centre of the room and a fire burns in the stove to provide warmth. They have finished a home-cooked meal, washed, dried, and put away the dishes; put the animals in the barn, and put all business cares away before the evening meal. Father reads Der Bible aloud to the children, who sit around listening and discussing what they hear. they sing songs together.

scene 2: the TV is blaring in the living room, Mother is watching some movie on the tele, father is smoking a cigarette and playing a video game on his computer. daughter 1 has her IPOD in her ears, singing along, and oblivious to what goes on around her. Son 1 is leaving to drive to his friend where they will be going to some teen club, the other children are playing on their computers. No one talks or communicates with the other. One of the children is munching on a McDonald's burger, another calls to have pizza delivered, and a third is nagging to have someone get him tacos from the fast food place down the road.

Now, can you see a reason to avoid technology? by the time you hitch up the horse, it isn't worth running down the road, like you might with a car. Everyone stays together and does things together - they are there for each other.

Now...about computers...again, it depends upon your ordnung, but most allow computers for business, just as telephones may be used for business. I used to tell people we had a propane-powered computer, until I realized that some folk believed me.

There are so many different standards with in the Amish community. Most of you seem to think there is a monolithic church standard that all people follow, and you seem to think it is at least OO, maybe even yellow-top. Nope. I know brethren who listen to (a capella hymn sing) tapes in their cars, use video cameras to record the events at school, and have cell phones with them where ever they go (except church). I know others who do not own cars, do not use electric at home, and have a telephone in a booth by the road -- altho cell phones have made those phone booths less common.

Anyway...it is not so unthinkable. Sometimes it is downright pleasant, sometimes it is difficult. But it is all for the good of our souls, and for the glory of G-d. But it is not a fun camping trip. It is a disciplined life. Don't get all romantic about it, this is no Rousseau noble savage pretense.

Answer 2

it's not as unthinkable as you might think. If they grew up not having those things around then they won't feel like they're missing out on anything. If anything, I think that we're missing out on more than they are.
I have a good friend who is Amish. She's in a fairly liberal community so she drives, occasionally uses the computer, watches movies, etc. The Old Order doesn't touch modern conviences whatsoever but the new orders such as some of the Beachy Amish communities can.

Answer 3

Amish stay away from electricity, so they have no means of powering the computers.I have never had the privelege of meeting an Amish American as of yet.

Answer 4

No, the Amish do not use technology. They live their lives as simple as possible.

Answer 5

No they do not use computers - HELLO a society that shuns TV and electricty would more than likely not have computers!

Answer 6

Its the way they choose - no computers, phone, electricity, but they do use propane for refrigerators

Answer 7

MAYBE I AMISH MAYBE NOT!!!!!SMILE

Answer 8

no i dont and no they dont