Television & movies paint the Amish with the same broad brush. All Amish aren't equal in the use of technology as Iowaaggie pointed out in his post. The majority of 'rules' each group follow are determined by the bishop of that group.

I'm a descendant of Jacob (Beiler) Byler (1687-1771). His family was originally located in the Guggisberg, Switzerland area. The Roman Catholic Church made a demand that they either convert to Catholicism or their lands would be taken. William Penn offered them a place to settle in Pennsylvania. Most of the group took his offer and relocated to Berks and Lancaster counties. There is still a Byler group of Amish in Pennsylvania. They're known for their bright yellow buggies.

Madagascar said:

---

The Amish use modern medicine when they have to and make a large part of their living by selling to "English" folks. Also half of them have cell phones - they just aren't "allowed" to use the Internet on them.

They aren't as self sufficient as they make out to be.

---

LOL, yes they are. They are VERY different from us in this regard. Just because they don't live 100% like it is 1800 every single second of every day doesn't mean they aren't self sufficient.

If you took away phones, internet, modern medicine, they would be WAY better off than any of us "normies".

In a SHTF apocalyptic scenario, I would gladly join their community, if they would even have me.

China invades, they won't be fighting.
Just bowing to a new overlord.

nai06 said:

---

pdc093 said:

---

Wow.

Society is being steered towards dependency on the state and government but the Amish continues to move towards self sufficiency and Independence. They self educate with their own school system. They don't buy into technology. They don't partake in big pharmaceutical agendas. pic.twitter.com/tugjcxaQh8

— Trump Girl 🇺🇲🦅🇺🇲 (@MAGA__Patriot) September 23, 2023

---

I invite this person to ditch all modern amenities and choose the Amish lifestyle. I'm sure they will love it!

---

I would be willing to bet they have MUCH lower rates of anxiety, depression, suicide, addiction, and even things like diabetes and auto-immune disorders.

It would be hard to adjust to life without tons of technology and constant distractions for a period, I would imagine...but I also know that if I could snap my fingers and take us all back to the 80's I would do it in a heartbeat without thinking twice. Life was much better when it was simpler.

It's a good thing their various strains are embedded in America.

Otherwise they'd be susceptible to takeover by any yahoo with a spiked bat or slingshot.

CanyonAg77 said:

---

I admire some of their ways and their devotion. But modern technology is not going to bypass them forever. It leads to some twisted logic and hypocrisy, as others have said.

And inbreeding may kill them before technology does.

---

Sounds like they are, for the most part, essentially living like people did in the 50's and 60's, only they don't use cars? I respect it. Bet they are much happier and healthier overall and have much lower rates of depression, suicide, drug addiction and mental illness than we do.

With regards to the bolded, is this really true? I wasn't aware inbreeding was the norm for them. if so, I lose a lot of the respect I had for them up to this point.

BG Knocc Out said:

---

CanyonAg77 said:

---

I admire some of their ways and their devotion. But modern technology is not going to bypass them forever. It leads to some twisted logic and hypocrisy, as others have said.

And inbreeding may kill them before technology does.

---

Sounds like they are, for the most part, essentially living like people did in the 50's and 60's, only they don't use cars? I respect it. Bet they are much happier and healthier overall and have much lower rates of depression, suicide, drug addiction and mental illness than we do.

With regards to the bolded, is this really true? I wasn't aware inbreeding was the norm for them. if so, I lose a lot of the respect I had for them up to this point.

---

When your community is so small, it's unavoidable. That doesn't mean brothers are marrying sisters but cousins are for sure.

chickencoupe16 said:

---

BG Knocc Out said:

---

CanyonAg77 said:

---

I admire some of their ways and their devotion. But modern technology is not going to bypass them forever. It leads to some twisted logic and hypocrisy, as others have said.

And inbreeding may kill them before technology does.

---

Sounds like they are, for the most part, essentially living like people did in the 50's and 60's, only they don't use cars? I respect it. Bet they are much happier and healthier overall and have much lower rates of depression, suicide, drug addiction and mental illness than we do.

With regards to the bolded, is this really true? I wasn't aware inbreeding was the norm for them. if so, I lose a lot of the respect I had for them up to this point.

---

When your community is so small, it's unavoidable. That doesn't mean brothers are marrying sisters but cousins are for sure.

---

Yikes. Although, pretty sure that was prevalent in bible times and many if not most cultures throughout most of time. But we now know that is bad, and the Amish should know better.

I have a lot of respect for the Amish for their refusal to accept modern technology and live by their own standards rather than that of the 21st Century.

That said....

We rescued a pure blooded Morgan from slaughter about ten years ago. Impeccable blood line...Great Grandfather was Nobel Flair, considered the greatest Morgan of the 20th Century. He was sent to slaughter by his Amish owners, who rode him so hard his ligaments in his front legs deteriorated.

Our farrier, who has had a lot of experience with the Amish, has said she does not like working with the Amish. She didn't go into details...and I just left it that.

For what it's worth...

tk111 said:

---

Probably more a religious board post...but the Amish/Mennonites are a prime example of falling deep in the pharisaical trap. Outward legalism in the extreme.

---

I am not Amish but I disagree with your assessment.

They are making a choice to live simpler lives.

Theologically, I have a lot in common with them.

The few interactions I have had with Amish men and women have been pleasant. There is a small band in down here in Alabama believe it or not - just west of Selma. Good people there.

I've had some interactions with the Amish in the Elkhart-Shipshewana- La Grange, Indiana. Super nice folks. Tried speaking German w/them but they didn't understand. Found out they use a few German words. Their language has evolved mostly from German into their own dialect. They developed unique words for common objects, like 'kie' for cow. When in Shipshewana, stop at Yoder's Meat & Cheese Market…good stuff. BTW, the Amish buggies have the right-of-way while traveling on the roads.

Is the Amish group in Beeville, Tx still in existence?

TheEternalPessimist said:

---

tk111 said:

---

Probably more a religious board post...but the Amish/Mennonites are a prime example of falling deep in the pharisaical trap. Outward legalism in the extreme.

---

I am not Amish but I disagree with your assessment.

They are making a choice to live simpler lives.

Theologically, I have a lot in common with them.

The few interactions I have had with Amish men and women have been pleasant. There is a small band in down here in Alabama believe it or not - just west of Selma. Good people there.

---

Great post. I have a very close friend in Michigan who is agnostic and at the same time a huge fan of the local Amish community. He had all kinds of stuff on his property built by local Amish men. High quality products at reasonable prices. In fact, about half the furniture in his home was built by an Amish guy and his sons and it outstanding.

Here's my not so hot take on the Amish. Have they ever done anything that negatively affects my life? No. Go Amish.

You can't beat Amish built furniture if you like wood. It is built to last forever and is low price for the quality.

I have a hard time reconciling different thoughts about the Amish. They certainly look self sufficient and seem to do so against tough outside forces like property tax. This makes them seem strong.

On the other hand the Federal and or State Gov could squash them like bugs and there is even less they could do about it than a regular citizen could. This makes them seem weak.

Madman said:

---

I have a hard time reconciling different thoughts about the Amish. They certainly look self sufficient and seem to do so against tough outside forces like property tax. This makes them seem strong.

On the other hand the Federal and or State Gov could squash them like bugs and there is even less they could do about it than a regular citizen could. This makes them seem weak.

---

Amish as a general rule don't vote or ask for things from the government so they are largely left alone by the government. They settle their own disputes so they rarely even use the court system. Could the government squash them? Absolutely, but there isn't anything I can think of to be gained.

I don't know any Amish but live near a few communities of them. I think it is safe to assume the rate of mental illness is close to nil, the rate of alphabet soup kids is close to nil, and they all have a number of close friends and family. I think they're maybe something to their lifestyle we could all learn.

PS. They also have a zero rate of BAS.

Kansas Kid said:

---

Madman said:

---

I have a hard time reconciling different thoughts about the Amish. They certainly look self sufficient and seem to do so against tough outside forces like property tax. This makes them seem strong.

On the other hand the Federal and or State Gov could squash them like bugs and there is even less they could do about it than a regular citizen could. This makes them seem weak.

---

Amish as a general rule don't vote or ask for things from the government so they are largely left alone by the government. They settle their own disputes so they rarely even use the court system. Could the government squash them? Absolutely, but there isn't anything I can think of to be gained.

I don't know any Amish but live near a few communities of them. I think it is safe to assume the rate of mental illness is close to nil, the rate of alphabet soup kids is close to nil, and they all have a number of close friends and family. I think they're maybe something to their lifestyle we could all learn.

PS. They also have a zero rate of BAS.

---

I agree with most maybe all of what you posted.


But when Politician XYZ from either party gets told by his biggest contributor that a new (shopping mall, highway, factory) is going to go on Amish land they have no chance on defending themselves. Well outside of sympathy from the outside. Sympathy that would only come if the compliant media decided it was a narrative they would allow to be printed or broadcast.

And maybe a different take, if we all lived like the Amish it would be a great in most ways, but not long lived. An aggressor nation would invade quickly. Maybe we would be allowed to continue with our ways, maybe not. But it wouldn't be up to us that is for sure.

Cen-Tex said:

---

I've had some interactions with the Amish in the Elkhart-Shipshewana- La Grange, Indiana. Super nice folks. Tried speaking German w/them but they didn't understand. Found out they use a few German words. Their language has evolved mostly from German into their own dialect. They developed unique words for common objects, like 'kie' for cow. When in Shipshewana, stop at Yoder's Meat & Cheese Market…good stuff. BTW, the Amish buggies have the right-of-way while traveling on the roads.

Is the Amish group in Beeville, Tx still in existence?

---

Most certainly. I remember a guy in our field office years ago saying they would occasionally ask for engineering help or some advice, but never conservation contract money. When you did an engineering design (pond, terraces, etc……. ) It was going to be a while because they simply couldn't move dirt really quickly.

CanyonAg77 said:

---

"Amish" is not a unitary group. There are different "orders" or groups that local congregations affiliate with. And each individual church sets their own rules as to what is acceptable.

Amish will use modern tools and equipment if they're working for someone else. Some will use horses to pull equipment, but engines to run the equipment. For example, horses will pull a hay baler, but the baling mechanism may have an engine. And maybe it's a diesel engine because diesels don't use electricity.

Some will use pneumatic tools, if the compressed air comes from a windmill, not electricity or gas.

I've even seen some Amish (or maybe Mennonite) groups who will use modern tractors, but no cabs, and steel wheels, not rubber. Their take is that technology for work is fine, but not for comfort.

And as said above, they will use phones and cars of others for pay, but not own them.


I admire some of their ways and their devotion. But modern technology is not going to bypass them forever. It leads to some twisted logic and hypocrisy, as others have said.

And inbreeding may kill them before technology does.

---

There is a Mennonite family in my community. I've never actually met them and their farm is the only farm in the area that I haven't been on -- at least not since they moved here.

There is also a Mennonite church southeast of Texhoma, Tx (or Texhoma, Ok). My oldest brother and his wife went there once. From what they told me, the men sit on one side and the women on the other side. When it is time to pray, everyone gets up, turns around, and kneels on the pews facing backwards.

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.4590067,-101.7304021,338m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu

Iowaggie said:

---

For those keeping track at home:

---

There is an interesting case study that the genesis of women in the modern workforce is really tied to the invention of the electric washing machine. It freed up so much time that would have otherwise been dedicated to unending chores.

In ancient rome, washing clothes was a man's (slave) job. It was and is toiling, physical labor.

This chart shows just how right-on that case study is. Even the most hard lined amish groups find a way to allow electrical motors power their washing machines. Every wife would say, 'I quit' and join the next amish group down the list that at least allowed washing machines.

Are you sure they are electric powered washing machines? In my grandparent's day, they had little gasoline motors to run washing machines, as they didn't have electricity out in the country. Maytag made a lot of gas engines to run washers.

Often, the machines were on the porch or in a separate shed, so if they caught fire, they wouldn't burn the house down.

(4am in the milking barn)

Old Eli: What's the matter with you, Book? You've never had your hand on a teat before?

Book: Well, not one this big

Old Eli: Haha!

I am not sure. I have never encountered someone from that strict of amish sect. It did say 'motorized' on closer inspection.

As far as the technology is concerned, gasoline/diesel/kerosene is equivalent to electrical and batteries in dependence on the outside world. At least with solar panel+electric motor you can claim that you're not continually relying on the outside world, but just once every time you gotta buy equipment.

Shoefly! said:

---

VitruvianAg said:

---

I've worked as architect with several Amish Framers/Builders.

Last builder was/is a father and sons team from Cochranville PA, paid a dude that happened to be black, to drive them down and just sit around until it's time to go home in the evening. They were repairing a timber frame barn from the late 1700's to adaptively re-use it as a B$B, near Hillsboro, VA. They used battery electric tools and modern equipment, even have a website...but their sandwich bread was homemade! If you want to call them, the office # rings at a neighbor's house to leave a message.

My #1 took me and the kids UpState NY , St Laurence University for one of #2 son's soccer camp back in the day. We stayed in an almost finished B&B built by an Amish carpenter. He built the entire bungalow style house of green lumber. He was building the stairs down to the basement...a simple straight run with open sides and risers, all green lumber.

All his tools were hand tools except the table saw he assembled in the basement...but it was lawnmower type diesel powered.

Genuine Amish all the way down to the horse and buggy. Wonderful person for the week I helped him.

They live in their own shelters culture, they'd rather only deal within their own and don't trust the outside world including our justice system, they have their own theocracy going... If they get screwed by an "English", they won't deal with them again but won't use our justice system for justice.

Nice folk mostly.

---

Why green lumber, easier to work with?

---

I asked him too...all the wood he was using was hardwood, no conifer trash. He said it would shrink considerably less and very slowly.. Made sense to me...but he added, he didn't want to wait for it to stick dry or spend the money on the kilm. He kept his tools sharp as a surgeon's, I'll tell you.

After all, the bungalow was done in a pretty nice rustic style.