What is the difference between Mennonite and Amish?

Answer 1

I've heard Mennonites have a few more luxuries-----like electricity & cars & such, & wear more colors than just black & white

Answer 2

Mennonites (followers of Menno Simons) and Amish (followers of Jakub Amman) are both non-resistant Anabaptist's. The original difference was due to the difference in opinion around the mid- 17th century over how to handle "fallen-away" brethren. Some applied the ban to only mean no communion, but Amman and others felt strongly that the community needed to be protected from the non-conforming no-conformists (so to speak), and believed that if you were under the ban, you should not be allowed to have any acceptance from the community until you confessed and made peace with the brethren.

There were even some Mennonites who armed themselves in self-defense against the other christian sects that disagreed with the plain life.

Amish and Mennonites migrated to the new world, looking for freedom to practice their religion -- and fairly quickly, they either accommodated to their neighbor's ways, or separated even further. Nowadays, in the States, most outsiders look upon the Amish and Conservative Mennonites as being defined by how they dress and live apart, and not the doctrinal differences that still make each community rather independent.

I had one sister describe differences as being whether one's dress had a collar, a zipper, a hook-and-eye, or pins, if the opening were in front, back, at the shoulder, if you had an attached cape or a separate one - with no real understanding of the reasons behind those differences.

In general, Mennonites are more liberal than not (not politically - one does not take part in politics, government, voting, unless you are so liberal (religiously) that the "be ye separate" has been forgotten. So a religiously liberal person might attend service in a "church building" with a piano or organ, drive a car, and wear a covering so small that no one notices it. There are all shades going from that to Schwartzentruber Amish (never mind - just know they are very conservative)

Answer 3

They are very similar, yet are different organization that started separately. They are both offshoots of the Anabaptists I believe.

I can only speak from my personal experience with both groups. (I live in an area that has tons of Mennonites, a Mennonite college and lots of Amish too.) I'm sure others can tell you specific differences in their beliefs and doctrines. Personally the Amish are friendlier. We have had dinner with them several times and plan to take our children out to their "farm" to work a bit with them this summer. The Mennonites here seem to be a bit snobby and do not take to "outsiders" well. Give me an Amish friend anyday.


Pagan Rationalist

Answer 4

There are a lot of minor differences. Amish in almost every sect do not believe in technology at their homes. From what I understand, they don't want to lose sight of certain issues. For instance, they don't believe in autos (at least most of them don't) because they can cause accidents, take fuel, and are costly. In addition, they have several lifestyle choices they retain that most people won't agree with, but most people do respect their beliefs.

For the Mennonites, they are very diverse. Mennonites can be as strict as Amish Mennonites (who wear special clothes and the women wear those white caps and plain dresses) to liberal Mennonites, who dress just like everyday people.

Most are pacifists, but have some minor differences in biblical translations.

For more details, check out this museum in north central Indiana, called Menno-Hof, which shows the history of religions.
http://www.mennohof.org/

Answer 5

The Mennonites are a group of Christian Anabaptist denominations named after and influenced by the teachings and tradition of Menno Simons (1496-1561). As one of the historic peace churches, Mennonites are committed to nonviolence, nonresistance, and pacifism.

There are about 1.5 million Mennonites worldwide as of 2006[1]. Mennonite congregations worldwide embody the full scope of Mennonite practice from old fashioned 'plain' people to those who are indistinguishable in dress and appearance from the general population. With a few notable exceptions, Mennonite experience in Europe and North America has been, and continues to be, predominantly rural. The largest population of Mennonites is in Africa, but Mennonites can also be found in tight-knit communities in at least 51 countries on six continents or scattered amongst the populace of those countries.

Mennonites have an international distinction among Christian denominations in disaster relief and place a strong theological emphasis on voluntary service. Mennonite Disaster Service,[1] based in North America, provides both immediate and long-term responses to hurricanes, floods, and other disasters. Mennonite Central Committee provides disaster relief around the world alongside their long-term international development programs. Other programs offer a variety of relief efforts and services throughout the world.

In the last few decades some Mennonite groups have also become more actively involved with peace and social justice issues, helping to found Christian Peacemaker Teams and Mennonite Conciliation Service.[2] Mennonite ideas were also key to Vermont's new state-of-the-art restorative justice system.


The Amish (IPA: ˈɑːmɪʃ) are an Anabaptist Christian denomination in the United States and Canada (Ontario and Manitoba) that are known for their plain dress and limited use of modern conveniences such as automobiles and electricity. The Amish separate themselves from mainstream society for religious reasons: they do not join the military, they draw no Social Security, nor do they accept any form of financial assistance from the government, and many avoid insurance.

Most speak a German dialect known as Pennsylvania Dutch (or Pennsylvania German) at home and in church services, and learn English in school. The Amish are divided into separate fellowships consisting of geographical districts or congregations. Each district is fully independent and has its own Ordnung, or set of unwritten rules. This article primarily discusses the conservative Old Order Amish fellowships that observe strict regulations on dress, behavior, and the use of technology. There are many New Order Amish and Beachy Amish groups that use electricity and, in the case of the Beachy Amish, automobiles, but still consider themselves Amish.

Answer 6

Amish are an ultra conservative branch of the Mennonite church. Most Amish have rejected most modern technology, and they try to live in self sufficient communities that do not rely upon the outside world to survive. They usually do not participate in government, nor serve in the military, or any other "worldly" endeavors.

Answer 7

the mennonites drive cars and wear print dresses and go to church in a church house the amish have church in a home ever other weekend and drive horse drawn buggies and it depends what district they live in if they can have rubber on the tires or even use lawn mowers some amish can take photos now....and they have phone shacks by their houses

Answer 8

I don't know all the details, but Mennonite will use technology to a point. They drive cars and get college educations and work in things other than agriculture.

Answer 9

The Amish are stricter. Still wrong in some of their beliefs.
But we'll let God, settle that.