Joining the Amish: Why People FAIL

Six reasons why trying to become Amish (usually) doesn't work out
My name is Erik Wesner and I'm not Amish. Back in 2004, I met the Amish while selling books. Since then, I've visited 5,000+ Amish homes & dozens of Amish communities. I run the Amish America website. More: amishamerica.com/
Image credits: Don Burke (www.flickr.com/photos/ozarkin..., Jim Halverson. Video: Michael Pilkinton ( profile.php?...) & David Arment (armentphoto.com)
More: amishamerica.com/becoming-amish/

[@user-xf6ej7qm4k]

My brother joined the Amish, 16yrs later he is still in the Amish, married and has 7 sons.

[@RR98guy]

What is to stop someone from living the simple life like the Amish do without actually joining the Amish? Nothing if that is what you would like to do. You can emulate the simple way of living the Amish live. Bear in mind that if you had problems before choosing to live like the Amish you will still retain your problems unless the actually address the cause of your problems.

[@AmishAmerica]

Well put

[@ajalicea1091]

Shannon, I agree with what you have stated. If it's the lifestyle you are wanting to live you can do it without joining the Amish or Mennonite community/church. Some people would call it off grid living.

[@Andrew-zr1jt]

Good comment

[@vivianking8143]

My thoughts exactly. We lived among the Amish in TN for 11 yrs. I learned a great deal from them and although we have moved to Ar. I brought and emulate it in our daily lives with much joy. Amish are not so different from the 'english'. Before we moved we saw, to our sadness, many of them falling into the technology of the computers, smart phones and many got on FB and other platforms, mostly among the teen young youth and adults, which brought much concern for the bishops and many of the older Amish as the problems began to surface. In Joy

[@RR98guy]

@@vivianking8143 I lived near an Amish community when I lived in TN in the US. Although I am not inclined to live like the Amish I really admire their way of life. They were always well thought of in my community by us English and they seemed to get on well with everyone. That is why I am subscribed to this channel and a couple other Amish themed channels.

[@catherine59226]

I’ve always admired the Amish. They’re self sufficient, hardworking people. It’s just not a life that I’d personally want. Love your channel so much! ❤️👍🏻

[@AmishAmerica]

🤗Thank you!

[@kirpdeb]

I wish that we could spend a summer helping and learning about the culture.

[@DADVICETV]

My kids and I spend time with the Amish once to twice a year just to slow down, build strength within our family, and refocus on quality of life. It is a refreshing break and we always leave better being people to ourselves and each other.

[@denniscoz6228]

I love your blogs. I live in geauge county Ohio, and have been a taxi driver for over 15 years. I am close friends with many Amish families, and agree with you, that the Amish have many of the same challenges as the non Amish do. They just typically handle these challenges more internally within the community. Keep up the good work. It's nice to see that you explain the Amish in a factual way, as opposed to some of the stupid ways seen on tv and other media.

[@AmishAmerica]

Thank you Dennis! Well put. I think being an Amish taxi driver is a great way to learn a lot firsthand

[@pamelas1002]

Not "negative", just honest. I appreciate your content and how genuine it is. A sincere thank you for the uploads!

[@AmishAmerica]

My pleasure! This one was actually excerpted from a longer video from 2021. I might start doing more on-screen vids like this again though

[@pamelas1002]

@@AmishAmerica will be certainly welcomed!

[@lolahernandez6871]

We pass an Amish community in Ontario when we go to my in laws cabin. It's crazy how well and fast they work! 😳 On our way to the cabin they had started building something quite big. On our way back from 1 week vacation, that building was almost done!!

[@mq5276]

From my observations, they were a bit slow if it wasn't finished in a week!

[@dlewis895]

IF ANYONE ADMIRES AMISH THEN JUST CHOSE TO LIVE THE WAY THEY DO!!! ITS EVERYONES CHOICE YOU DO NOT HAVE TO JOIN THE AMISH YOU JUST CHOSE ITS UP TO YOU!!!

[@cristinaevans139]

Stop shouting 😂

[@abigailconner9469]

I commented on another of your videos regarding this topic: I am joining a Stauffer OOM community near me, and in the beginning they bluntly told me many of the concerns you raised in this video. Many of them say "we are not perfect people, and there is no such thing as a perfect church". I was very surprised by how quickly they welcomed and accepted me into their lives, though. The day after visiting the community for the first time I was invited to their church (the next day) and they provided a translator for the High German. I found out today that my "adoptive" parents in the community have been meeting regularly with the ministers and their wives to discuss how to best support me in the transition, and the minister's wife encouraged everyone to remember to speak English around me so I didn't feel left out. That really touched me. She also is giving me a PA Dutch learning book. Whenever I go to a Mennonite shop, such as a fabric or sewing machine store, the owners always say, "you're Abigail, right?" even if we haven't met before. They are very friendly and open. However, a lady in the nearby Amish community is actually very nasty to me and outspokenly (to my face) disapproves of my decisions. That community was (rightfully) traumatized years ago by an English man joining their Amish community, marrying, and then leaving, only to have one of their sons return to the community and rape and murder one of his female Amish relatives. Understandably they're a bit wary of outsiders asking too many questions....

[@Montycat92]

Good luck to you on your journey. I'm in the process of trying to join a new order Amish. Sorry about your experience with the Amish woman. I can understand where she's coming from even though she shouldn't of treated you that way. It's hard enough for them to trust an outsider who wants to join and to let one join and have that trust broken like that is awful. I can't imagine what they went through.

[@AmishAmerica]

Happy to hear you've received a warm welcome and also sad to hear about the experience in the other community. Even though it's not rational to think that what happened to them could happen again, you can understand the response after such an unspeakably horrible event. Hope that community heals

[@kimfleury]

May the Lord heal the people of that community.

[@Tisztak]

@@Montycat92 what New order group?

[@Montycat92]

@@Tisztak The one in Greenville, PA.

[@jerryvincent8402]

I truly truly injoy what the Amish have accomplished and do for the world we live in.

[@TheLizardKing1967]

When the power grid goes down, we'll all wish we were Amish. I am Swiss German. The Amish and Mennonites are great people. Amazing video Erik!!

[@AmishAmerica]

Thanks, really glad you liked it!

[@TheLizardKing1967]

@@AmishAmerica You are welcome Erik! You are the BEST!!

[@overratedprogrammer]

Swiss german and amish are just distant cousins

[@susiecox8413]

I love learning about the Amish and this video is another interesting one for sure. I would think it would be very hard to become Amish. There is so much you have to learn plus the work ethic is like no other. Like anything else if you try to become someone you're not chances are it isn't going to work....

[@RobinMarconeCassidyRN]

I live in CT. and I don't believe there are many or even any Amish people that live in my state. I've always wanted to visit the stores they run mainly items they make themselves. I learned so much about them from your channel so thank you for sharing all of your knowledge. Happy New Year!🎉

[@AmishAmerica]

You are right, no Amish there but a lot in upstate NY - hope you get a chance to visit. Happy 2023!

[@cindynielson4231]

Another very good video Eric. I think some of these people that become enamored with this lifestyle should try living off grid first. It is not as easy as they think, just start at living an old Christian lifestyle first. TFS 👏👍

[@AmishAmerica]

Thank you Cindy, and yes I think that's good advice

[@KellyS_77]

The folks that are attracted to the "simpler life" you don't have to join the Amish to do that. It's probably easier if they move somewhere more rural. If you want to grow your own fruits and vegetables, raise your own animals, dry your clothes on a clothesline you can do all of that without joining the Amish. Don't want electricity? There's no requirement to have it (in a lot of places). You can live a lot like the Amish, without actually joining the Amish. Homesteading and off grid living are things that a lot of people do, there's even a few people with youtube channels about it (obviously those folks have electricity and internet). There's lots of folks doing it that don't have youtube channels, they're just out there living the sort of life that they want.

[@alfredorico3792]

If I ever lived among the Amish, it would be temporary and for 3 major reasons. 1) To understand their doctrines before God, how they interpret the things in the Bible. 2)To learn how to worship and draw closer to Christ while I work. I believe, personally, this is why God chose tilling the soil for men rather than the many other things we could have done, such as hunting. God wanted us to be able to focus on him, pray to him, worship him while we worked. Any other occupation has its moments, but I think once you know what you're doing farming must have so much mindless repetition that it frees you to focus on God while you work. 3)Finally, just learning how to actually live off the land, how to be self-sufficient. I know you said they're community-oriented, not self-sufficiency oriented, but that is what self-sufficiency is too because we're designed as social creatures. Liberals just take that natural part to silly extremes because that's what they do with everything. Liberals shun the fear of God. So they have no wisdom, essentially.

[@Lost_AtSea_]

One could buy some property in Lancaster county. They could buy an authentic Amish buggy and live off grid and make furniture. Without actually physically joining the Amish. You could then make friends with them and shop were they shop. They would view you as weird but at least you would be content!

[@lilbatz]

My dad grew up on a farm that used Belgium horses and mules for work. That was in the 1940-1950s. He had us kids hustling and planting for our huge gardens in the 1960-1980s. Farming is fawking hard! It's a battle between you and Mother Earth. Livestock getting sick, crops catching some weird blight, and there goes 3/4 of what you planted. Summer is just non stop because you "make hay while the sunshines" from 4am to sunset. Fall is bring all your crops in. Canning, freezing, selling. Winter is repairing everything that broke in the fall and prepping for spring. Lol You gotta love farming. It's a non stop grind. Then throw in the bankers and property taxes. I get low tech looks great. Horse/mule vs car. For every tech guy wanting to sling tobacco, there is an Amish person calculating if jumping to the English side wouldn't be such a bad trade off. One gets tired of trying to reason with a mule. Heavy Karma messages are sad to deal with. Hang in there Eric!👍

[@Automedon2]

To me it is an admirable lifestyle but I am a very independent person. This is why 99% of communal living attempts fail. It requires a rigid set of standards for a community that is hundreds of years old to survive. Still, when I drive in those peaceful Amish areas, I can't help wish that I was born in a different time.

[@vivianking8143]

Very well presented video. Thank you.

[@AmishAmerica]

Glad you thought so

[@droolbunnyxo9565]

Having Amish neighbors would be a nice experience. But becoming "Amish" means becoming subservient to God, your community, your spouse & family; the farming & manufacturing work that holds it all together. Most people aren't willing to sacrifice everything they have to live this way, agree. (Sober, anyway.)

[@lapetitemaison4219]

When I was in college, one of our assignments was a what would you do if you won the Lottery, etc? Mine was to purchase over 100 acres, divide into 5-10 acre lot's and sell them for a off grid, simple housing and community. Rain water catchment, composting toilets, wood or solar heat,everyone would have to have their own Victory gardens, raise some kind of animal-be it poultry for eggs or meat, cattle, pork, goats, sheep, rabbit. Small scale. There would be a butcher shop and a farmers market in town for the residents to take their products or get them processed. Someone could sew clothing, another make candles, another soaps, herbalists,,,,you get the picture. It would be called "La Petite Maison-My little home". Faith based-Christian, but no denomination. Everyone do their own faith. Unfortunately, The Lotto Gods haven't smiled down upon me yet.

[@HomeFreeinmySUV]

I often say, 'I'm an Amish Woman at heart', which, in my examination of these good people...is simply a 'non-consumer' lifestyle. Simplifying your life by shrinking your storage, your living situation, having only what you love around you; plus good, caring people as friends and support, using less and less precious resources, (although water is always abundant, no matter what you are told)..can all create that 'Amish thinking and lifestyle".. You do NOT have to join the Amish to live their lifestyle via your own creative, tough-minded adherence to their philosophy of living!!

[@kirpdeb]

Me, too! We could learn a lot from the Amish.

[@filomenolaput]

Vert well explained. People who shops around for any religious membership should not easily be admitted but has to undergo some kind of trial. St. Benedict never easily admits anyone without any serious examination of their motivations. 😊

[@stantonmagid4126]

Always entertaining and informative thank you

[@broz1488]

Joining the Amish is like moving to a foreign country. Different language, different customs, difference laws, different lifestyle, all physical problems that can be learnt and overcome. The hard problem is the emotional problem of loneliness and feeling isolated that will eventually arise. An Amish person growing up in the community has a circle of friends, acquaintances and a large extended family to spend time with, to ask for help and do things with. An outsider coming in from the cold, will have none of this. Once the novelty of their joining wears off, they may feel forgotten like strangers in a strange land. And homesickness for their old life, friends and family will set in until it becomes an unbearable ache that causes them to leave. The best way to join the Amish is to marry into an Amish family, so that one has an already established social network and structure in which to meet other Amish and make friends. It will also help with language acquisition and having someone, your spouse, to guide you through the complexities of Amish lifestyle. Second best way, especially for an individual, is to get a job on an Amish farm that provides live-in accomodations, so that one is part of an established Amish family setup, if just by default of living on their property. Third best way is to join with your own family. This has its own unique problems as each family member adjusts to the Amish lifestyle. But it will provide you with your own immediate social support system, and multiple avenues to meet other Amish that wouldn't be available for an individual living alone. Worst way is as an individual living alone on their own homestead within the Amish community. It will take many months if not years to really integrate into the community and developed a solid social Amish network. Meeting the community once every two weeks for church service, and occasionally bumping into other members while out shopping, will be a slow process of acculturation. The best way to integrate in such circumstances, is to provide a service or skill to the Amish that will get them to come to you, so that over time friendships will develop along with invitations to join them for family and social events.

[@farmcentralohio]

I like the red house/barn in the video. Thanks for another interesting one.

[@CarloRossi54523]

Aren't some Amish groups afraid that seekers might dilute and threaten their identity?

[@Montycat92]

Yes they are. In my experience in trying to join the conservative Mennonites and Amish they will discourage you. At least the ones that will talk to you once you mention joining. I found most would just ignore me. I did have a new order church reach out to me just when I gave up. I got to visit their community for a few days. My reasons for wanting to join are for faith reasons. There aren't other people where I'm at that have the same beliefs. I desire a community of fellow believers. It's very hard to live that kind of lifestyle alone.

[@susanschuck8124]

Love love love your videos. So informative and interesting. Thank you so much and the pictures included as they are so enjoyable to view!

[@AmishAmerica]

Happy to hear that Susan! I have to also pass some credit to the folks responsible for the photos and video footage I used here (noted in the description)

[@katecarnes3624]

Thank you Erik. I've enjoyed watching this video.

[@AmishAmerica]

Glad to hear it Kate!

[@oceanlover1663]

One of the hardest curve of joining the Amish, learning Pennsylvania Dutch.

[@gundog4273]

I've been working on an Amish construction crew for three weeks and can form many small sentences/ask questions. The best way to learn is immersion.

[@Poodle_Gun]

Statistically speaking, they don't adjust well to life outside of the Church either, and end up going back. Our cultures are so different. Each sucks in its own way, but we're each used to ours. I think it's going to take a true spiritual conviction for someone to stay.

[@mq5276]

I disagree with that somewhat. Most who leave have already established connections and relationships "outside". They already know what the consequences will be from the Amish community and learn to deal with it. It's not easy, but if it's what you need to do, you do it.

[@lilafeldman8630]

I agree with you about people joining as a solution to their personal problems. There are people who try to join the Amish or the Mennonites. They come from a lot of brokenness, and see the Amish as an ideal, the fantasy family, in the perfect life that they never had. But they bring the brokenness with him into the church and it just doesn't work out.

[@gweniewhinnie]

exactly....not a utopia.....I did want to learn from them and thought it would be easier to live the christian life their way but when I heard they argued about whether to have buttons or snaps, I knew I hadn't found the answer. There are some amish/mennonite brothers and sisters I watched on KZbin which were thoughtful, and interesting and I know they would be good friends. They nurtured a lot of good behaviors such as community and a simple/holy life which I know our modern world has sacrificed much of which is sorrowful. Anyway, man from beginning of time had the "amish" lifestyle yet were sinners and all fall short of the glory of God and struggled with their faith and obedience. But this one small group I hope to meet someday in Holmes County, OHIO but if not in this life, I truly expect to see them in the next! thanks for your video. Gwen

[@thomaslapp6029]

A lot of truth spoken here.

[@TheMtggrl]

While I love that the Amish live what seems to the non-Amish eye to be good, healthy, dedicated, hard working lives, I enjoy hearing about our differences, education is a good thing. They say you learn what you live, so in their communities, this is what they know best, in our English communities children have cell phones in their hands at a year old watching programs and playing games, convenience is hard to give up especially when it's all you've known your whole life. For me it would be like going backwards in time, giving up all the "good things" we've come to be comfortable with. I do believe that we English can definitely live a simpler more Christian styled life without taking drastic steps to be like the Amish I definitely find learning about different cultures, religions, and ways very interesting, I don't feel the need to take them on myself as the grass is not typically any greener on the other side. Thanks for sharing Erik!

[@AmishAmerica]

You are right a lot has to do with what you are brought up in. Sometimes outsiders look at the Amish and wonder how they make do without a lot of the modern tech that they themselves depend on, assuming the Amish must also crave the same things. They forget that if you haven't become dependent on it you don't "miss" it. That said Amish do appreciate conveniences tech provides - for example on a recent visit I was asked to check addresses on my phone and was also asked about ordering something online :) The children also tend to gravitate right to my phone on the infrequent occasions I have it out around them. So there's an interest and an appreciation but not the same feeling of pain we might assume from not having these things around. Just not the same dependency most non-Amish have. Thanks for the thought-provoking comment!

[@Tobitobiify]

I lived with the Amish and other plain groups for a longer time and spoke to more than a dozen people who joined the Amish or other plain groups. (I don't know how many left later). In my estimation the main problems are the following: mentality, language and the end of their personal journey. The mentality, especially the work ethics, are hard to adapt to. In order to live an Amish live, one needs to be very industrious, much more than in the mainstream society. Many “seekers” fail to learn Pennsylvania German (and German for that matter). They cannot understand the preachers nor their fellow Amish and expressing themselves in Pennsylvania German is very difficult because it somehow limits them in an unusual way. Then there is the problem that seekers are on some kind of personal journey. They went a long way from mainstream society, often being on a journey for many years and even decades because they often disagreed with the society they lived in. When they join the Amish this journey ends abruptly and now they have to agree with the people around them.

[@AmishAmerica]

Three great additional points. Some communities have tried to address #2 with English, but ended up losing Amish identity. I understand Pearisburg VA does live translation of church for outsiders

[@Tobitobiify]

​@@AmishAmerica Several times I told seekers who knew that they would not be able to learn another language to check out the Virginia Old Order Mennonites (Cline-Showalter) and John Dan Wenger Mennonites (also in Virginia ) when they want to join a plain horse and buggy group that speaks English only.

[@Tisztak]

@@Tobitobiify there are also very plain (think Swartzentruber) old order German Baptists that only speak English near Flora Indiana.

[@Tisztak]

@@Tobitobiify how do John Dan Mennonites differ from Groffdale conference....other than English?

[@Tobitobiify]

@@Tisztak Yes, these are the "Old Brethren German Baptists" who have a congregation at Camden. For some time they struggled to survive, because they had only few members, for example only 45 members in 28 households inn1980. But later they were joined by members of the Old German Baptist Brethren and who withdrew over concerns about slide to modernity. Once a member of them told me that having their own schools was an important turning point, because from then on much more young joined the church.

[@night-x6793]

I'm actually from small farming towns and the feeling of new people moving in town from a big city can be worrisome because you don't know if their goal was because if they wanted from that town where it could be finance reasons which some small towns do have cheap houses for sale or moved in due to legal reasons which I seen many times before. Amish and small farming towns are different in a lifestyle setup but are the same when it comes to outside newcomers joining the community.

[@kimfleury]

Stressing the Christian spirituality of the Amish is a huge service to both Amish and English alike. Without the spiritual roots, Amish are just people who wear quaint clothes and live a quaint but empty life.

[@myrtleesther8855]

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Don't wait ...now is the time, if you don't know Jesus call upon His name now, be willing to be lead by Him. You don't have to join the Amish just be joined to Jesus christ and fulfill the plan He has for you .

[@tommuscatello5999]

So many facets about the Amish. However, of great importance is their Anabaptist Faith about which the majority know little. Perhaps you could do a video in a few parts about the Anabaptist history, Martin Luther, and the arrival of Amish/Hutterites/Mennonites in North America. Historical overview.

[@AmishAmerica]

Nice idea, I have one on Amish origins but one going on migration to N. America could be good

[@rae1957tn]

I’d be too cold without my heating pad

[@hicknopunk]

Are you a cat? 😁

[@sunset6010]

@@hicknopunk lolol

[@XenobiaWinterWolfMoon]

I love this comment

[@efolinsky]

Try a hot water bottle

[@pamelas1002]

Thanks!

[@AmishAmerica]

Thanks Pamela!

[@pchound5962]

You wonder if the Amish are less lonely than we are. Lots of afterwork activities and social programs, stuff like that.

[@Chrisinpa]

I grew up around the Amish. I have a lot of respect them but if you thought you might want to live LIKE the Amish it would be a whole change of life. If it was a case of survival I would probably choose to work and live with a modern day farmer in return for three hots and a cot. LOL

[@gan5045]

I'm not interested in joining them, but I do want to befriend and network with them. How do I approach them? Are there any things I should avoid, like swearing or addressing women or children?

[@zinknot]

I would like to build connections with an Amish community. Work with them, help sell their furniture and things.

[@Amber-rl9if]

I like the video thank you

[@AmishAmerica]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ThePanda5001]

I've always admired the Amish and their way of life, and have always been facinated by religion in general really. I would certainly struggle if I joined the Amish though, as I'd definatly need acess to electricity to charge my mobility scooter, definatly would struggle without having acess to a phone in case there is an emergency with my health and I need to contact my doctor, ect.

[@evilborg]

I wouldnt mind spening a few months with the Amish just to take a break from the world... no social media and just clean living.

[@emmib1388]

you don't have to join the Amish to do that -- just unsubscribe to social media and change your life choices in other areas of your life. Go 'cold turkey' and do it all at once ... or gradually..... you may be surprised how much more time in the day you have!

[@Poodle_Gun]

I wonder if they're allowed to do Air bnbs? Seems like a good way to make money!

[@emmib1388]

@@Poodle_Gun there are some Amish that do have overnight guests...it all depends on the community...

[@janicew6222]

I enjoy your videos. I don't know if you know the actor Timothy Olyphant, but you look a lot like him, in my opinion.

[@richardfloridaman]

I speak fluent German and I have lived a wild life. I could join the Amish with ease... but I'm not into religion. I do enjoy my Amish friends though. I even hangout with Swartzentrubers and eat dinner with them every Sunday.

[@rae0521]

I sometimes wonder what medical treatment an Amish person would choose when faced with a life threatening challenge. Almost everything in a modern hospital involves, in some way, electricity. CT scans, the OT, ICU, even bloodwork analysis. My hope is that he or she would set aside any religious driven hesitation to take advantage of what the modern world offers.

[@Monica-gj2yx]

I think that if you sincerely try before the age of 30, you may make it. After age 30, you start to become set in your ways, without even realizing it.

[@XenobiaWinterWolfMoon]

Sherry Gore joined and stayed. She ended up in a more new order church district but she made it.

[@AmishAmerica]

Sherry ended up in a Beachy Amish church, which is similar, but not horse-and-buggy and permissive of more tech. She does dress plain as they do

[@XenobiaWinterWolfMoon]

@@AmishAmerica I read her book The Plain Choice

[@lilbatz]

When I hear the word Amish, I think of service to God. For me, their Christianity is front an center, before walking behind mules or swing a hammer. That this physical plane is more of a temporary place, and heaven is the ultimate goal. And an absolute trust in God when bad or good things happen. That's gonna be a really hard sell to the Easter/Christmas church service Christian. Submitting to a faith is a really hard thing to do. Guessing this is why most English people leave the Amish. Easier to learn those tenets as a child, than a worldly late 20 something just hopping in.

[@thejourney1369]

I respect the Amish for the way they live out they’re faith, but I wouldn’t want to do it that way. I like being able to call or text my pastor if I need to talk to him.

[@EmilyS-gk3st]

Even as an outsider, as a fully devoted Christian I think probably one of the most insulting things to see for an Amish community is someone who wants to join the Amish for the simple lifestyle but doesn't want to abide by traditional Christian values. However, I know no Amish in person and am not Amish myself, so correct me if I'm wrong in that assumption.

[@angelgonzalez-du1oo]

This people are very good and decent working people, and they shall be left alone to cultivate and to follow whatever religion they want. But the government want their money and want to interfere with this people way of life.

[@stevehartman1730]

I joined but Dad got emphysema n my 80s stepmother needed help as o I left but can always go back

[@tubewatcher77]

1:04 Is this weed grinder driven by horse power?

[@deanpd3402]

On the issue of not evangelising, I'd love to know how the Amish respond to 21... “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Matthew 7:21-23

[@sunset6010]

I imagine the Amish go to an outside (English) DENTIST (novacaine anyone)? 😬

[@AmishAmerica]

Not always. There are Amish who pull teeth (even remove wisdom teeth). I recently heard an interesting account from an Amish "patient" of one such practitioner

[@johnscott7195]

Are some Amish communities more involved with modern life than others..dont some use cell phones..etc..and different states seem to have different practices..like Pennsylvania is different from Ohio and Indiana...

[@oldfarmshow]

👍

[@Robertd.Ebersole07]

I have been interested in the Amish for a little bit. People are telling me to join the Amish even though I just a teen. I believe in god and the ways. Is there any way I can find someone to talk to about joining later?

[@Robertd.Ebersole07]

I also have some connection through my family to the Amish/Mennonite.

[@Deej496]

Amish live according to Gods law. Living Amish is so much more then simple living. And its a hard life. I love my Amish neighbors, but don't have what it takes to devote my entire life in obedience to God as the Amish are. I wish I could. But I realize I can't.

[@emmib1388]

but what some people forget are they are human just like everyone else -- they are not perfect and also live by unnecessary rules that they make their members think are God's rules (just like others do)

[@Adam-ww8ei]

So what would be the “right” reasons to become Amish? Or should you just not even consider it

[@maryw9841]

Really yes, it is only Jesus who can solve all our problems. Many people and beginning believers, including me of over 20 years ago, want to depend on the other people, especially Christians, to solve their own problems but do not know all those problems may be the tools which God uses to inspire, train or discipline their old and stinky self in order to guide us to grow out a new and splendid self in the big family of Jesus. Now I am glad that Jesus seems to solve all my problems although I still sometimes worry about tomorrow, but once the Words of Jesus come to my mind, Wow, all is beautiful and hopeful. It is really real that " 63the spirit it is that is giving life; the flesh doth not profit anything; the sayings that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life; " (John 6)

[@TheSkeetergirl]

Do the Amish believe that our modern lifestyle precludes us Christians from going to heaven?

[@stjo4756]

Do they pay taxes on the land?

[@AmishAmerica]

Yes, and like the rest of us don't enjoy it either 😄

[@stjo4756]

@@AmishAmerica so there is no escaping the beast ? These people are marked by a social security number and have birth certificates?

[@SantaFe19484]

Another problem that the "green" minded people might have with living Amish is the fact that they make animals work hard.

[@ajalicea1091]

Like my pastor will tell anybody; if you are looking for the perfect church, if you are looking for a place of worship with no persay hypocrite, then you don't need to join it. You will ruin that perfect church by joining.

[@carguy4658]

The grass always seems to be greener on the other side of the fence. I.e., no single lifestyle is totally idyllic as every walk of life has its challenges. There is no eutopia out there as the human race whatever their path, are imperfect thus they are incapable of creating an ultimate Nirvana.

[@mrs.g.9816]

I'm a woman who celebrates her independence. I can't follow strict rules or be subservient to a man. I realized decades ago that I wasn't not cut out, financially or emotionally, to bear and raise children. I never had a desire to join a community and be what I'm not. But I do read Amish romance novels, I love the rural settings in which the Amish live, and I admire people who aim to live with a love for God and neighbors. Off the subject (and maybe you can address the following questions in future videos) I've been wondering: 1. Do the Amish do Lent or Advent? 2. How do the Amish celebrate Easter? 3. If someone in an Amish community has a mental illness like depression, anxiety, PTSD, autism or schizophrenia, do they recognize the illness as something the sufferer can't help, and how would they get help for the sufferer? 4. How would an Amish community deal with spousal abuse and child abuse?

[@myrtleesther8855]

The Scriptures teach ust be submitted to our husbands .

[@j.b.4340]

The Amish are also a bloodline.

[@TomokoAbe_]

Women are considered inferior, and there are reports of abuse in the family. Which is covered up by the elders.

[@DarDarBinks1986]

You couldn't pay me to give up modern technology. I can't imagine life without my smartphone, laptop, the Internet, and all that good stuff.

[@chrislowe6222]

Only electronic I have is a phone 4g

[@ajalicea1091]

You will when the power grid goes kapewie

[@emmib1388]

you might be surprised how much less stress is in your life -- try giving it up for an hour or two and see what happens!

[@MediaWatchDawg]

How do Amish handle homosexuality among their own?

[@jamesb.9155]

Since it is represented by 1 to maybe 2% of the population and kids are free to choose to be Amish or not as they grow up, they might not remain in the community. Plenty of writings about it.

[@MediaWatchDawg]

@@jamesb.9155 Maybe, but I suspect many just marry and procreate.

[@richardfloridaman]

Well, I speak fluent German, and I ended up moving into a rural area surrounded by all different sects of Amish. There's Old Order, Swiss, Nebraska and Swartzentruber's here... and I'm the closest with the Swartzentrubers, but I know everyone... they've welcomed me with open arms. They don't have a trace of homophobia about them, but, they follow religion so you have to marry and be straight. The Amish are not racist and not homophobic at all! Lovely people but these type's of Amish that I know wont associate with non-Amish. Since I speak German already it was my door into their realm, but, that didn't help. Our bond and bridges were build throughout locality based hardships. Any further questions you have just ask me! (Also, there's a couple of obviously gay men and women in these communities, I can tell they are but they're not open).

[@jamesb.9155]

@@richardfloridaman The Amish speak and write an archaic form of 'Deutsch' that I imagine can be tricky to navigate. I always love going around their farms and at home shops. They feel good to be around.

[@richardfloridaman]

@@jamesb.9155 No its so easy. Literally its kind of pronounced different and has a lot of English borrowings to it and a little slang they created but within a couple of weeks all is understandable. They have more trouble understanding me though.

[@Robert_Sparkman_01]

I think Beachy Amish evangelize, but they are Amish-Mennonites I think.

[@Montycat92]

They can still be hard to join. Any conservative Anabaptist group is going to be hard because it's such a big lifestyle change. My personal experience with trying to join is that Mennonites can be just as reserved as Amish towards outsiders.

[@jannaswanson271]

My advice to people is to follow Jesus. Repent of your sin, accept His mercy and forgiveness and then stop sinning. Study the Bible and pray to change your mind. It will not be easy but I promise you that it is SOOO much easier than living in the world.

[@michellesunshinestar]

I couldn't live without the internet. Mennonite is a better option.

[@emmib1388]

you probably could live with less internet than you use now -- try it for a day -- it may surprise you! (obviously if your work/ school requires it -- that would not apply -- just your personal time)

[@joedoe-sedoe7977]

The women are not very hot would be why i would not join plus i dont want to do things the hard way but also cheat

[@pmann438]

Aren't the Amish the Smiley Face Killers?

[@sisterinSC]

In Titus the faithful are called to be sober and to speak evil of no man. But this is not a joyless sobriety. Oh of the most joy that one can imagine when we are walking with Christ. Maybe they are grieved by a sin they have just seen or heard, but the ones that are vexed are the ones that the Lord's face is against them. I myself have been accused of not smiling. I smile all the time and sing sing sing too of joy. No, I do not laugh at sinful things, and really try to avoid all evil speaking. I try to do this with grace and kindness. I love smiles, laughter and gentleness shown to all also.

[@hippiewithacowboyhat]

I would rather drown myself in the bathtub...