Amish

In the hustle and bustle of our technological existence we have neglected aspects of our lives and left virtue by the wayside. The Amish live among us, but enjoy unprecedented family and marital success. In a medical emergency you contact a physician, in a legal matter you hire a lawyer, but in family and marital concerns look not to tired psychologists or half-guessed books to mend the pain. Instead turn your ear to someone who is never too busy to listen and always eager to help and you will find yourself in the fortunate company of the Amish's world renowned hospitality and godlike virtue.

Amish Courtship and Marriage Rituals:

Introduction

In these chaotic times, there are infinite problems yet surprisingly few solutions. It is a cold harsh world, and nothing in nature cares if you survive, prosper, or die. There is no reasoning with a landslide, and an earthquake can't hear you crying. In such a callous, uncaring world what is there that offers comfort? What is there that brings peace? If the sages can be believed, it is not money, or property. These small comforts can be found in only one place; each other. But how do we find each other? Is it by more tired evenings at smoky singles clubs? Is it yet another fix-up by some friend or other? Why does it seem that the most common ways to find one another leave only the jaded ruins of what was intended? Is there another way? Perhaps there is. There is a segment of American society that enjoys an unparalleled marital and family success rate, maintaining their quintessential innocence in the face of modern squalor. These nostalgic beings remain just as they did hundreds of years ago during the protestant reformation. Remarkably untouched by modern evil, this community remains dedicated to spiritual morality and uprightness. The Amish are a 21st century society which still boast safe neighborhoods; void of any crime, however slight. Children are safe to roam the town at night, and one can be sure that if there is ever a need, someone will be there to lend a hand. Their values and beliefs mimic those taught in the Bible and serve as a testament to the true nature of friendship, love, and family.

As humans we claim that in diversity lies our strength. We co-exist with others of different beliefs, picking and choosing between our core beliefs and those of others. This picking and choosing has transformed our once societal perspective to a much more individualistic view. We also live in a very competitive society, which seems to scream the teachings of Darwin in "Survival of the Fittest." Most Americans are more concerned with their own personal successes than they are with those of their neighbors, friends, and family. Along life's path with its tumultuous turns and twists, one is sure to stumble now and again. In such a disaster one would be foolish to wait around for help, we simply pick ourselves up and continue on. In most cases the world continues on without the slightest notice of our struggle, hardly concerned and unwilling to help. As Americans we can safely assume that in life's trials and tribulations we will be forced to suffer through its lessons completely and utterly alone. As popularly as this is implemented, you'd think we were making the right decision, but you'd assume wrong. In most cases our decision making skips right over our morality and hops over too the very over tasked convenience calculator. Any personal inconvenience is avoided in the decision making process, leaving the final product with as little humility as required to complete the job and nothing more. This way of thinking is selfish and backward to the Amish, as a community they work to raise unfortunate neighbors from the ashes and rebuild their life with healthy sacrifice and compassion. They rarely consider their own feelings in the decision-making process. As youngsters the Amish are encouraged to be self-sacrificing and unselfish. As adults they are dedicated to the core beliefs of their religion and possess an almost limitless tendency toward philanthropy. Everything is done with community effort, when a hand is to be lent everyone is involved. You will find that in disaster the Amish are secure and well taken care of, without the aid of insurance or substantial savings they are able to overcome adversity with the diligent hands of their neighbors, friends, and relatives.

Amish Beginnings

No accounting of Amish life can possibly be complete without at least some understanding of their unique social and religious heritage. Though as a people the Amish are more than a little insular, a great deal is known about their origins. The real roots of the Amish way of life can be found in the Protestant reformation. Disgusted with the excesses and corruptions of the then all-powerful Catholic Church, a group of radical theologians headed by Martin Luther 1483-1546), Ulrich Zwingli (1484-1531) and John Calvin (1509-1564) founded a movement known as Protestantism. The beliefs espoused by this group don't seem drastic by today's standards, but in 14th century Europe, the idea of conscious choice of faith; or that a layperson could own; read and interpret the bible personally; without the mediation of a priest was nothing short of revolutionary. These simple precepts led to a set of sweeping changes throughout the entirety of Christendom. The one Christian church of the day quickly began to fragment, divide, and grow. What was considered the one true path became many. (Protestantism, Dunstan, 1961)

One of these subdivisions of Christian Protestantism was known as Anabaptism. The basic beliefs of Anabaptism involved voluntary church membership, the separation of church and state, and an overriding dedication to pacifism. This pacifism resulted in dreadful persecution. In nations that demanded that the church bless their political and military affairs, the Anabaptist fared badly. They would refuse to take feudal oaths, bear arms, and often withdrew from churches that embraced such practices. For this many were killed, and some even burned at the stake or tied to wagon wheels and crushed. Others were placed in sacks and dropped into rivers. The penalty in some communities involved drawing and quartering, which forcibly separated limbs from the body of its victim, who was tied from each limb and head then pulled in every direction until death. The horrid tortures these people befell were undeserving and unforgiving. Men, women, and children lost their lives and there loved ones, all while worshipping their God, The God. Despite these horrid tortures of body and spirit, the Anabaptist movement lasted from 1525-1536, and then fragmented further still itself. This gave rise to the Mennonites in the Netherlands, the Hutterites in Austria and the Swiss Brethren.