In an era when so much of American life is dependent on technology, it’s easy to understand why the life of the Amish people seems so fascinating. Today’s Amish communities live with many of the same values and customs they had in the 1700s when the Amish first came to the U.S. and settled in Pennsylvania. The most treasured Amish values still revolve around faith, family, community, and simplicity. The Amish live as they do to bring themselves closer to God.
Amish Core Values
Faith is the most essential aspect of Amish life, as they seek to prioritize God in every part of their lives. Their daily activities revolve around prayer, Scripture, and religious education. The Amish believe their family members are gifts from God – and they treasure their time with their families. Amish families often work together in family businesses, reinforcing their strong work ethic with family bonding.
Along with faith and family, they believe in caring for each other and sharing resources with the community. If someone in the community has a need, everyone will help fulfill that need. Their core value of simplicity comes from their desire to live with humility. This simplicity in dress, transportation, and their disdain for technology reflects their belief that their simple way of life represents their separation from worldly concerns.
Amish Beliefs About Marriage
Amish people do not date casually, as unmarried people spend time together only as a prelude to marriage. Only people baptized into the Amish faith can marry each other. The Amish see marriage as an extension of their faith, so it takes on a symbolic meaning. Within the Amish community, divorce is not allowed, as it’s considered a breaking of marriage vows and violating the tenets of their faith.
Throughout the U.S., where divorce is more readily accepted, spousal maintenance laws (usually referred to as alimony) were introduced in Texas in 1997. Those statutes remained in force until 2011, making post-divorce settlements seem routine. This attitude of acceptance is in stark contrast to the Amish community’s philosophy, where divorced Amish couples are ‘shunned’ (expelled from the community.)
Amish Commercial Practices
Amish people value hard work and manage their family finances by working as farmers or selling handcrafted products. Amish furniture is one of the best-known examples of Amish-made products. All the furniture in Amish homes is handmade. Amish Furniture has a reputation for excellence.
Other Amish products in the public market include quilts, baskets, and baked goods. Many Amish recipes, like shoo fly pie and friendship bread, are trendy nationwide. Another craft found at Amish markets is hex signs. Hex signs were initially made as folk art by the Amish and have remained a cultural symbol despite their non-Christian symbolism.
Amish Attitudes Toward Health
The Amish community’s desire to live simple lives extends to their health and wellness practices. Amish families eat food they grow on their farms. They abstain from tobacco and limit the amount of salt in their foods. The Amish people are permitted to seek a doctor’s care, but Amish opinions vary as to the extent of trust and reliance they place in doctors.
As for medications, many Amish rely on home remedies, faith healing, and herbal treatments. According to AAFA, over 50 million Americans report some allergy each year. However, the Amish typically use home remedies for allergies, and for all but the most serious diseases.
There are many more differences between the Amish and mainstream Americans. Because of the dichotomy of the two cultures, Amish life continues to be a fascinating subject in books and the media. Some Amish people’s lives have evolved to adopt some modern practices, although many Amish adhere to the old traditions. Most of all, the Amish continue to be a people whose primary purpose is to live their lives to honor God as best they can.