What is wrong with people? Why do so many people think that Quakers are the same as the Amish?

Question

They are two TOTALLY separate and unrelated groups of people!

I am so sick of being asked stupid questions because I am embracing Quakerism. It is getting on my last nerve. Why are people so mis-informed and ignorant?

Oh, I definitely do try to to be patient and tolerant and explain/educate as much as possible, but today I just was verbally pummelled by a relative over it all, and I am needing to vent.

Also last night I saw people on Yahoo Answers giving answers about Quakerism that were just FLAT OUT WRONG and they just gave out this mis-information like they knew everything, and that really gets me upset too.

Answer 1

I guess because I was raised Quaker and we live by the Amish, I know the two are very different with two very different roots.

Personally I LOVE explaining about the Quakers to people who ask! Even the stupid questions mean that people care enough to ask questions.

Answer 2

I don't know that much about quakerism, but I do know that they are totally different from the Amish. I wish I knew more about them. I do know that they are very devout in their faith, but not much more then that. I know this country was founded by quakers, so that's about as far as my knowledge of them go. Sorry.. but it isn't only you that people have a problem with. Trust me, I get it all the time too. I'm the same way with wishing people would take the time to learn more about my religion before saying bad things about it. I think it will always be that way. Most people just don't want to learn anything about something outside their own little box. We would all be better people if we learned to accept something different then our own core beliefs. Or just learn that just because someone may not believe the same as we do doesn't make them wrong, just different.

Answer 3

Mayo and ketchup are two different things but we call them both condiments.
Just because you choose to join an obscure fringe group does not mean the rest of society needs to know about it, or even that we care.
But good luck in your future.
Can I get some of that great furniture? just kidding.

Oh and don't start with your thumbs down bit. You started with attitude in your question! You reap what you sow. Or do the Quakers not cover that part?

Smile...and take a chill pill you Cwazee Quaker you.

Answer 4

to someone who doesn't know much about them, they seem similar at first (cuz the Quaker oats guy maybe?)
don't get too bent out of shape. maybe they're just trying to understand (not sure, don't know what kind of questions)

i knew they were different, but didn't understand exaclty how (besides the electricity/modern technology not being used by the amish), so i asked. (i also didn't know how to distinguish the two from menonites) and now i know better! try & be patient.

Answer 5

When they came to this country, they were considered very similar because they, along witht the Mennonites were the "peaceful" Christians. All but the Amish have changed quite a bit and aren't as similar anymore, but it is probably their backgrounds that confuse people.

Answer 6

Because there aren't that many Quakers around. They don't have much of a voice to tell people who they are.

Answer 7

I think that it's because religion isn't taught in most schools. They know about religions by what they hear, and most people hear about stereotypes and information that is completely wrong. If religion was taught in schools as an aspect of culture, history, and in helping to expand students' knowledge of the world around them, it would help to avoid confusion and misconceptions like you are facing.

Answer 8

I guess Quakers don't teach much in the way of tolerance and patience, hmm?

Answer 9

I don't have any idea. I really don't see how people could could confuse the two. I know the difference.

Answer 10

because the man on the oatmeal container.. I swear I was wondering this last night, I was under the same impression.