Many people are fascinated by the Amish lifestyle and religious system because they are such a secluded, insular culture. Ex-Amish stories have given us an intriguing peek into the Amish way of life. Simply told, individuals in mainstream America might regard Amish rules and regulations, but it’s crucial to realize that not all Amish follow the same regulations. There is some bending, if not outright breaking, of traditional Amish practices. So, if you’ve ever wanted to know what it’s like to be Amish, this is the list for you.
Table of Contents
How Amish Rules Impact Their Lives
To avoid worldliness, the Old Order Amish have several regulations about how they spend their lives. These norms govern transportation, clothes, power, education, and daily life. Some of their regulations may appear difficult at times, confusing non-Amish people. Many of their regulations are based on the idea that they “attempt to be in the world but not of it.” To remain unworldly, they reject numerous connections to the outside world.
What Are Amish People Allowed To Wear?
Clothing is mentioned in several additional rules. In contrast to Mennonite prayer caps, which are circular, the prayer caps are heart-shaped. They are worn once a girl reaches the age of 13. The Amish will only dress in plain colors. Patterns are not permitted since they are very decorative and worldly. Other restrictions prohibit the use of buttons. Therefore males wear suspenders, and women use pins or clasps to fasten their garments.
Furthermore, their shoes may be modern, such as crocs or sneakers, but they must be useful and out of the ordinary. Wristwatches are prohibited. However, pocket watches are permitted for practical reasons.
Amish Schooling Rules
There are also educational rules in place to avoid worldly thinking. Amish youngsters will only attend school through the eighth grade before beginning full-time labor with their families. They do not finish high school or go to college. They also solely observe and observe religious holidays, such as Christmas and Easter, rather than official holidays. This permits students to finish school in early May, after the legally minimum 180 days, and work in the fields over the summer when more work is needed.
Amish Children Are Always Expected To Look After Their Younger Siblings
Amish children frequently take care of their younger siblings. This is the one area on the list where I might partly relate to the idea of “crazy” from a safety sense. Sometimes you’ll see a six-year-old watching over a two-year-old. This could also reflect the emphasis on safety in 21st-century America.
The Amish agricultural setting (and generally, Amish living) is riskier than the normal suburban one. In certain circumstances, Amish parents entrust their youngsters with a great deal of responsibility to keep an eye on their younger offspring. However, this could imply that Amish parents teach their children about the hazards they should avoid early on.
Use Of Modern Technology
The Amish avoid the Ancient Order and Certain modern technologies. The Amish do not consider technology evil, and individuals may petition to accept a certain technology in their society. The bishops of Pennsylvania get together twice a year, in the spring and fall, to address problems of mutual concern, such as how to deal with the advent of new technologies. Because of the flat governance framework, each community develops its practices.
Farm equipment driven by gasoline, such as tillers or mowers, can be pushed or pulled by a horse. Amish farmers use chemical insecticides, chemical fertilizers, and artificial insemination of cows.
The Amish Children’s Toys
The faceless doll has been the subject of debate between the two camps. The Book of Deuteronomy in the Bible outlaws the making of “graven images,” which means that people cannot create an idol with human features because only God can create humans. Another popular notion is that a doll with a face (especially an attractive one) will make the youngster vain. Vanity is strongly frowned upon in the Amish community.
Furthermore, the Amish believe in equality among their community members. Because a faceless doll lacks identity, it cannot be deemed superior to others. However, numerous faceless dolls are now produced to meet the English demand for Amish goods.
The Amish Women’s Hair Rules
Since receiving a haircut is considered a “shame” in the eyes of the Amish community, women may go their entire lives without ever getting one. Instead, an Amish lady grows her hair long and drapes it in a bun under the prayer covering on her head. When they go out in public, they also hide their hair with a scarf or hat.
The Amish Beard Rules
The Amish hold a man’s beard in the same high regard as a woman’s hair. A beard is not a requirement for an Amish man. A man’s passage into manhood is marked by the growth of a beard, which is forbidden for those who are not married. Amish males do shave above the lip. Mustaches were once linked with military men, but the Amish do not believe in violence. On the other hand, in odd acts of punishment, Amish men have been known to shave the beards of other men they disapprove of.
The Shunning Of Excommunicated Church Members
Excommunication is the ultimate penalty in the eyes of the Amish. A member can be excommunicated if they break a rule of the Ordnung. This may be the case for infractions as minor as using a mobile device and as serious as physically harming another person.
After exhausting all other avenues for restoring a lapsed member to good standing, the community’s authorities will consider excommunicating them. Those who have been rejected will have no friends or family to help them. While shunning is typically irreversible, exceptional repentance may pave the way back into society.
Final Thoughts
The Amish have learned to live within boundaries. Indeed, one of the pillars of wisdom is putting and respecting limits on practically everything. For the Amish, limits are a need for happiness. Individuals without bounds, they say, become arrogant, pompous, and self-destructive. Restriction, to be sure, limits individual freedom, personal choices, and many forms of self-expression. At the same time, some argue that they provide greater dignity and stability to individuals than modern life’s limitless options. According to the Amish, respect for limits fosters community and a sense of belonging and shapes identity—three critical components of human pleasure and happiness.