Amish question

jerry · 10-08-2007, 07:27 PM

Let's say one of us English fellows, or gals decided we want to live the Amish life. Is it possible to strool right in and ask to join the club?

Dallas · 10-08-2007, 07:28 PM

Ask one and see what they say. But chances are since you are an English man they will decline.

Triggerjerk · 10-08-2007, 07:38 PM

I do not think so. I lived in Lancaster County PA for awhile, and I understand that it is a closed society. They do not tend to have any more contact with outsiders than necessary. I doubt that they'd let you join them.

samuel · 10-08-2007, 07:47 PM

Nope! There are lots of them around here but they dont take members.If an outsider marries an Amish girl or vicea=veras they can join the Menonites but they cant even eat at the table of their amish family.They eat out on the porch or such. sam.

jerry · 10-08-2007, 07:49 PM

We have a lot of Amish around here (Arthur IL). Menonites too. They are no all as isolated as you might think. I worked a trade show for finishing equipment. You would be suprised at all the Mt Dew and candy bars those boys can put down.

I'm not comfortable asking that question directly to them.

Romey · 10-08-2007, 08:23 PM

I think it much depends on the sect, some are very very closed doors and some are open. SOme speak only german and some german or english. Good folks

Triggerjerk · 10-08-2007, 08:35 PM

Well, the Menonites in Lancaster County were different than the Amish. The Amish still stuck to their wagons, but the Menonites drove cars, and lived among the general population. The Menonites painted their entire cars black, except for windows and lights, to show that they were not interested in the worldly aspect of cars, but conceded that they needed them to get around.

One Menonite lass had her eyes on Mr. Triggerjerk for potential husband material. Took me home for dinner, too. Good food! But there is a lot of hard graft to be done if TJ is to see Salvation, and I was not really interested in going to church camp with her...

jerry · 10-08-2007, 08:44 PM

I guess it could be possible, a long shot

Question: How can I join the Amish community and become an Amish person?

Answer: Anyone can live in an Amish community by simply moving to where the Amish live in a specific area. If a person wants to join the Amish church, the person must move to an Amish community, live there for a length of time (which could be years), accepting the Amish and the Amish accepting you (it is really a mutual issue), being willing to live within the rules of the Church (Ordnung). To become a member of the Amish church requires a genuine religious commitment which is much more than just moving to an Amish community and living the Plain lifestyle of not using electricity, cars, telephones, etc. Answer coordinated by THE BUDGET

Triggerjerk · 10-08-2007, 08:47 PM

Is this something that you think that you want to do, jerry?

ArkansasHunter · 10-08-2007, 08:51 PM

Can you keep all your guns and hunt ????? LOL (that Lol was for bro bob !!)...A.H

SilentSoul · 10-08-2007, 09:04 PM

You can learn a lot about the amish people by watching the movie Devils Playground. It is actually about a time in their life called rumspringa but they talk about people who get out of the church and people that have married into the church. I learned the amish do use some electricity and "english" items.

.22guy · 10-08-2007, 09:21 PM

Don't do it Jerry! It's a cult!

Oxford · 10-08-2007, 10:41 PM

Plenty of readily available material describing Amish life is on the web. Here's just one of many:

Amish Delights - About Amish Life

Here's another good link:

History of Amish & Mennonite Cultures

Jerry...they aren't allowed to drink alcohol, either!
Also, Amish aren't allowed to serve in the military.

Lng Rng · 10-09-2007, 12:34 AM

It depends if they are old order or not. If they strictly enforce the meidung, probably not. Plus, you probably don't want to learn to speak german. Some of the less strict (Anabaptist?) might let you join, but I am not 100%.

To elaborate on the military issue, they aren't allowed to defend themselves, making them worthless with a rifle. I think the Government grants them CO status.

JBS · 10-09-2007, 01:05 AM

Ox, you're right. They don't join the military. But, back when there was a draft, they were drafted just like anyone else. They are sent into harms way just the same as other soldiers. They just don't carry weapons. Quite a few went to Nam as medics. I understand some were Chaplain's Assistant.

jerry · 10-09-2007, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triggerjerk

Is this something that you think that you want to do, jerry?

Just an inquiring mind

ArkansasHunter · 10-10-2007, 05:40 AM

When you look at magazines that have photographs of a Amish going down the road with his horse and buggy and the background is set in a farming community.
You can't help but want to live in what seems a more peaceful life style.
jerry go for it, you can always leave. It would be a culture shock.

jerry · 10-10-2007, 06:58 AM

LOL,
Guys, I'm not flipping Amish. I was just curious.

Triggerjerk · 10-10-2007, 07:32 AM

There is another side to that coin, as there always is. I remember a case where an Amish father did surgery...with a razor blade...on his infant child, who died from it. He was to go on trial, but was defending himself by saying that his religion did not recognize doctors, that they healed themselves.

I also saw a special on Public TV where "escapees" from that life were interviewed. They loved having deodorant, a job, a car, a TV, and ice cream.

ArkansasHunter · 10-10-2007, 07:23 PM

My wife and I took our son when he was little to the Mid America center in Hot Springs Arkansas...When we were leaving 3 bus's pulled right up to the front doors of this big place and Amish folks started pouring out of the bus's.
You talk about B.O them people stunk !!!!!!!

10-08-2007, 07:27 PM	#1
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,882 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 1	Amish question Let's say one of us English fellows, or gals decided we want to live the Amish life. Is it possible to strool right in and ask to join the club? __________________ I'm a down home back woods redneck

10-08-2007, 07:28 PM	#2
Dallas PUKHA DAWG Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Virginia, just outside of Washington D.C. Posts: 3,595	Ask one and see what they say. But chances are since you are an English man they will decline. __________________ Those who forget History are condemed to repeat it.

10-08-2007, 07:38 PM	#3
Triggerjerk Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 978	I do not think so. I lived in Lancaster County PA for awhile, and I understand that it is a closed society. They do not tend to have any more contact with outsiders than necessary. I doubt that they'd let you join them. __________________ We old dogs can learn new tricks. We just may not like performng them. TJ

10-08-2007, 07:49 PM	#5
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,882 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 1	We have a lot of Amish around here (Arthur IL). Menonites too. They are no all as isolated as you might think. I worked a trade show for finishing equipment. You would be suprised at all the Mt Dew and candy bars those boys can put down. I'm not comfortable asking that question directly to them. __________________ I'm a down home back woods redneck

10-08-2007, 08:23 PM	#6
Romey Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Montana Posts: 471	I think it much depends on the sect, some are very very closed doors and some are open. SOme speak only german and some german or english. Good folks __________________ Romey High Country Knives http://www.highcountryknives.com

10-08-2007, 07:47 PM	#4
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,087	Nope! There are lots of them around here but they dont take members.If an outsider marries an Amish girl or vicea=veras they can join the Menonites but they cant even eat at the table of their amish family.They eat out on the porch or such. sam.

10-08-2007, 08:35 PM	#7
Triggerjerk Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 978	Well, the Menonites in Lancaster County were different than the Amish. The Amish still stuck to their wagons, but the Menonites drove cars, and lived among the general population. The Menonites painted their entire cars black, except for windows and lights, to show that they were not interested in the worldly aspect of cars, but conceded that they needed them to get around. One Menonite lass had her eyes on Mr. Triggerjerk for potential husband material. Took me home for dinner, too. Good food! But there is a lot of hard graft to be done if TJ is to see Salvation, and I was not really interested in going to church camp with her... __________________ We old dogs can learn new tricks. We just may not like performng them. TJ

10-08-2007, 08:44 PM	#8
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,882 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 1	I guess it could be possible, a long shot Question: How can I join the Amish community and become an Amish person? Answer: Anyone can live in an Amish community by simply moving to where the Amish live in a specific area. If a person wants to join the Amish church, the person must move to an Amish community, live there for a length of time (which could be years), accepting the Amish and the Amish accepting you (it is really a mutual issue), being willing to live within the rules of the Church (Ordnung). To become a member of the Amish church requires a genuine religious commitment which is much more than just moving to an Amish community and living the Plain lifestyle of not using electricity, cars, telephones, etc. Answer coordinated by THE BUDGET __________________ I'm a down home back woods redneck

10-08-2007, 08:47 PM	#9
Triggerjerk Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 978	Is this something that you think that you want to do, jerry? __________________ We old dogs can learn new tricks. We just may not like performng them. TJ

10-08-2007, 08:51 PM	#10
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,709	Can you keep all your guns and hunt ????? LOL (that Lol was for bro bob !!)...A.H

10-08-2007, 09:04 PM	#11
SilentSoul Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 603 Images: 1	You can learn a lot about the amish people by watching the movie Devils Playground. It is actually about a time in their life called rumspringa but they talk about people who get out of the church and people that have married into the church. I learned the amish do use some electricity and "english" items.

10-08-2007, 09:21 PM	#12
.22guy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4,157	Don't do it Jerry! It's a cult! __________________ Guns: they are like baseball cards except they are cool and you can kill things with em. -Billy

10-08-2007, 10:41 PM	#13
Oxford Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gladstone, Missouri Posts: 13,023 Blog Entries: 4	Plenty of readily available material describing Amish life is on the web. Here's just one of many: Amish Delights - About Amish Life Here's another good link: History of Amish & Mennonite Cultures Jerry...they aren't allowed to drink alcohol, either! Also, Amish aren't allowed to serve in the military. __________________ "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right". Last edited by Oxford; 10-08-2007 at 10:50 PM.

10-09-2007, 12:34 AM	#14
Lng Rng Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 944	It depends if they are old order or not. If they strictly enforce the meidung, probably not. Plus, you probably don't want to learn to speak german. Some of the less strict (Anabaptist?) might let you join, but I am not 100%. To elaborate on the military issue, they aren't allowed to defend themselves, making them worthless with a rifle. I think the Government grants them CO status.

10-09-2007, 01:05 AM	#15
JBS Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 761	Ox, you're right. They don't join the military. But, back when there was a draft, they were drafted just like anyone else. They are sent into harms way just the same as other soldiers. They just don't carry weapons. Quite a few went to Nam as medics. I understand some were Chaplain's Assistant. Last edited by JBS; 10-09-2007 at 01:13 AM.

10-10-2007, 05:40 AM	#17
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,709	When you look at magazines that have photographs of a Amish going down the road with his horse and buggy and the background is set in a farming community. You can't help but want to live in what seems a more peaceful life style. jerry go for it, you can always leave. It would be a culture shock.

10-10-2007, 06:58 AM	#18
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,882 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 1	LOL, Guys, I'm not flipping Amish. I was just curious. __________________ I'm a down home back woods redneck

10-10-2007, 07:32 AM	#19
Triggerjerk Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 978	There is another side to that coin, as there always is. I remember a case where an Amish father did surgery...with a razor blade...on his infant child, who died from it. He was to go on trial, but was defending himself by saying that his religion did not recognize doctors, that they healed themselves. I also saw a special on Public TV where "escapees" from that life were interviewed. They loved having deodorant, a job, a car, a TV, and ice cream. __________________ We old dogs can learn new tricks. We just may not like performng them. TJ

10-10-2007, 07:23 PM	#20
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,709	My wife and I took our son when he was little to the Mid America center in Hot Springs Arkansas...When we were leaving 3 bus's pulled right up to the front doors of this big place and Amish folks started pouring out of the bus's. You talk about B.O them people stunk !!!!!!!