The Amish religion and culture

Amish Religion

Women in the Amish religion are committed to living a life that is subordinate and subservient to the male members of the community. Many women within the Amish community complacently accept this role, as it is the role that was assigned to women in ancient biblical scriptures. There are many that would argue that women within the Amish community are unfairly suppressed, however all women living within the community do have the option to choose whether or not they will accept the faith before becoming a member of the Amish religion.

The Amish, otherwise known as "plain people" for their unadorned clothing, live in many different throughout the United States in segregated communities. Speaking what is referred to as "Pennsylvania Dutch" many people in the Amish community avoid casual contact with people living in modern society, as a means to avoid most of the conveniences afforded to people living in the 21st Century (Kelly & Yoder, 1992).

The Amish practice a very strict form of Christian idealism, which was derived from Anabaptist practices of the early 1500s. The Amish very literally interpret church doctrine as indicated by biblical scripture. Amish women are considered the caretakers of the family and community within the Amish culture. By modern standards the role of Amish women is considered to be very submissive; Amish women live a lifestyle much more reminiscent of women in Victorian times, where men held the upper hand and made all important decisions. A modern woman may in fact look down upon Amish women as subservient, but the Amish religion actually teaches respect and recognition for the important role Amish women play within their communities, even though it is a role that is subordinate to the role of men.

This paper will examine in greater detail the doctrines of Amish faith that govern the role and place women have within the Amish community.

HISTORY:

The Amish religion originated some time during the early 1500s, a spin off from the Anabaptist movement in Switzerland (Kelly & Yoder, 1992). Members of the Amish faith first arrived in the United States in the early 1700s, and formed their first "homeland" of sorts in Pennsylvania (Kelly & Yoder, 1992). Lancaster Pennsylvania is in fact well-known for their large Amish community.

The Amish religion dictates that people living within an Amish community enjoy a very simple lifestyle; as such they avoid anyone and everyone that might attempt to educate them regarding the ways of the modern world. Consorting with members of modern society is often considered a sin, as it implies that individuals are consulting with people that might otherwise be shunned by the community.

There are approximately 150,000 Amish living in North America today, with the largest group of people centralized in Holmes County, Ohio (Kelly & Yoder, 1992). The Amish have become synonymous however with Pennsylvania, with Lancaster often referred to as Pennsylvania Dutch country (Kelly & Yoder, 1992). Pennsylvania is perhaps more well-known because of the tourism that centers around the community, rather than a large population.

The majority of Amish live on farmland without electrical conveniences or telephone lines, in simple farmhouses that house multiple or large families (Kelly & Yoder, 1992).

The Amish religion is generally categorized into several groups labeled the new or old order (Kelly & Yoder, 1992). The "Old Order" currently has the most members, and follows the most strict rules and regulations related to allowing modern conveniences (Kelly & Yoder, 1992). New Order followers follow many of the older practices but are typically considered more progressive, allowing such conveniences such as telephones, air-filled tires and some even use electricity in their homes (Kelly & Yoder, 1992).

Church is attended every Sunday, held at a different home within the community each weak so members of the community can keep tables on each family to ensure they comply with the laws and rules of the church (Kelly & Yoder, 1992). The religion is very unforgiving, and requires that the "Rules of Order" called Ordung, are followed strictly. If a family disobeys these rules they are shunned by the community, and even face excommunication from the church (Kelly & Yoder, 1992).

THEOLOGY/DOCTRINE

The Amish religion is very conservative. There religious beliefs center around interpreting the bible very literally. Some of their key beliefs include emphasizing the importance of separating themselves from the rest of the world/communities in which they live and rejection of the involvement of anything militaristic in nature (Hostetler, 28).

They practice worship services in the home and strongly feel that a separation of church and state is appropriate. The "Ordnung" is the set of oral traditions and rules that dictate how the Amish should live their life (Robinson, 2000). This set of rules may vary somewhat from church district to church district but certain key elements remain the same (Robinson, 2000). Generally the Ordnung require that members of the community live a simple life, with men functioning as the head of the household in every situation.

Major doctrines also include observance of a document called the Dordrecht Confession of 1632 (Hostetler, 85) which among other things endorses social avoidance (Hostetler, 33). The Amish in general avoid outsiders; for fear that their beliefs would taint the community. Amish children do not attend public high schools, because the teachings of modern schools vary so significantly from Amish practices. Social avoidance includes keeping distance from members of the community that have been excommunicated.

Amish welcome only the pure to religious practice, and shun or avoid those who are not pure, a practice referred to as Meidung (Nolt, 17). The Amish do not believe in communicating with anyone that has been excommunicated in any fashion including family members (Nolt, 17).

The Amish's strict beliefs include the practice feet washing, literally interpreting biblical scripture from John 13 where Jesus had his feet washed by disciples at the last supper, as an act of humility (Nolt, 82).

The Amish hold true to basic Christian ideals such as the acknowledgement of a Supreme Being, of Christ and of the existence of heaven, and intertwine those beliefs in their every day existence (Kraybill, 25).

More cultural rather than religious practices include the speaking of Pennsylvania Dutch, which is a form of German dialect, though English is taught to schoolchildren (Robinson, 2000). Men are required to grow beards in accordance with Hebrew Scriptures, and typically dress in plain dark colored suits (Robinson, 2000). Women wear plain dresses with long sleeves, and a white prayer covering when married (Robinson, 2000).

WOMEN IN RELIGION

The Amish teach each other to be reserved and modest, to practice a way of life that involves thinking about an individual's relationship with God; it requires that people serve the Lord as a measure of success (Kraybill, 25). Women are expected to adhere to strict humble practices. The communities in which they live are typically small and simple. Vows that women take, as well as the men in the community include an emphasis on separating their community from the outside, and being close with nature.

Both female and male children are not educated past elementary school level; for fear that outside beliefs will penetrate the community. These outside beliefs include the idea that women are liberated and independent. Many of the women living in Amish culture fear being shunned and excommunicated, and thus avoid outside temptations. Women in the Amish culture have many restrictions placed upon them.

Amish women are expected to be submissive, and are expected to work hard fulfilling their role of caretaker and maintainer of the home, family and community. An outsider looking into the Amish community might actually consider their practices "old fashioned." Women may decide to join church, as both men and women do as they become older. No woman is actually forced into accepting the faith, which is an important point to make. However one might legitimately argue that women are pressured to accept the faith, for fear of being shunned or looked down upon. Remember that once an individual has been shunned by the community they are no longer welcomed back and can't communicate with any member of the community, including family members.

Within the Amish faith, most of the major decisions and doctrines of the church are decided upon by men, and women must agree with these rules if they have accepted the faith. This stems from typical biblical practice where men made most of the major decisions.

Women often make quilts from plain fabrics, and often enjoy each others company while doing so. In fact quilting is a very popular pastime among Amish women, as is other events such as cleaning and family raising. Interestingly the quilting accomplished by women is standard in nature, with most women using traditional patterns, colors and forms with almost ritualistic continuity. To make a quilt in a nonstandard manner might be considered an attempt to set oneself apart from other community members which is generally considered unacceptable.

Women are generally docile, conforming to the wishes of their husbands. Their role in society as dictated by their religion is to get married and produce offspring for their husbands, and their roles adequately reflect this (Olshan & Schmidt, 224). Women are not expected to contribute financially to the family, but rather their role as caretaker and mother is established from the time of birth Olshan & Schmidt, 153). Women are assigned the role of caring for children and elders, cooking, cleaning and gardening.

Most of the women also hand sew the clothes for the family. Women are also responsible for providing groceries and household items for the household. Only Amish women may work in the garden, cultivating vegetables and flowers (Olshan & Schmidt, 154). Women must also teach their daughters about their place in the world, and young girls are typically assigned tasks such as washing dishes and cleaning laundry in their quest to learn how to be caretakers (Olshan & Schmidt, 152).

Women in the Amish belief system are considered "inferior" to men, a belief that is based on religious principles. The Amish believe that God created order between men and women, and that the women's place is subordinate to men, as exemplified by many sections of the bible. Corinthians 11:3 states that "The head of the woman is the man" (Kraybill, 72) And Titus 2:5 states that the role of women is to be "Discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands" (Kraybill, 72). As the Amish interpret the bible literally, women are subjected to these principles, and thus have their husbands rule over them entirely.

Though men have the final say in the Amish religion in all matters of home and family, women are still able to voice their preferences (Olshan & Schmidt, 217). The submissive role of women should not be interpreted to suggest that women are treated like slaves however in Amish culture; rather a woman is expected to co-exist with her husband, and both people are expected to be treated with respect and dignity (Olshan, 217).

Within the Amish community the role of women is respected, though her role may be frowned upon by today's modern women. Women are responsible as maintainers of the home, and caretakers and teachers of the children. Women are allowed to vote in church business meetings, but only men can be nominated for such duties as related to the church, and women have no real formal power within the church (Hostetler, 154). Amish schoolteachers are often women but women are not encouraged to achieve a higher status within the community (Hostetler, 150). The status of women within the community is high however, as women are admired for contributing to the community in many ways Hostetler, 262).

ANALYSIS

Women live a life subordinate to men within the Amish culture; this is a fact that cannot be denied. According to today's modern standards, the women would most likely be judged rather harshly. The idea that a woman's place is barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen is somewhat valid within the Amish culture. This role however, is not seen as unacceptable by members of the Amish community. One might argue, that if women within the Amish community had the opportunity to realize all of the freedoms available to women living "outside" of the Amish culture, they might soon become unsettled with their current lifestyle. Perhaps this is why the Amish try so fervently to shield their members from outside society.

The religious doctrine of the Amish culture very strictly interprets the bible. Biblical scripture was written centuries ago when the role of woman was indeed that of caretaker and housewife. Women's roles within the bible are limited to serving their husbands, producing offspring and caring for the home. Men always had the final say; men in fact wrote the bible. This isn't an issue for people living within the Amish community however. Women are respected and their role in society is regarded as critical and very important. Men cherish their wives, and women are allowed to voice their opinion. They are by no means considered inferior to men. Rather, men simply follow their "innate" role, as dictated by God according to strict biblical interpretation. Men are supposed to serve as head of the household, and women are supposed to obey their husbands according to ancient biblical practice.

There are many that would argue that the Amish religion is in fact outdated, and that women should be exposed to more modern practices and outside freedoms. Women's rights activists would have a field day within the Amish community. Interestingly, some modern practices have been adopted by members of the Amish community. However these modern adoptions seem to benefit the men within the community, rather than the women.

One example is the use of technological advances to ease tasks assigned to men. The roles of Amish women "entail primarily domestic tasks, which are clearly defined and recognized" (SFU, 2004). Such tasks could more easily be expedited through the use of modern technological advances, even something as simple as a vacuum cleaner could assist Amish women in completing their household duties for example. Women therefore, as members of society should focus their interests on domestic technology, because such technology would influence their responsibilities (SFU, 2004). However, the lack of domestic technology used in Amish culture further evidences the subordinate role that women play. Women are not part of any sort of formal power structure within the Amish faith, and thus any major decision making that might allow adoption of domestic technology lies on the shoulders of men, men who are likely not interested in adopting such practices (SFU, 2004).