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I would actually love to become Amish. Is it a community that outsiders can easily join? Or do you have to be born into it?

by Dig1t 4y ago

littlelady 4y ago
I think a lot of people romanticize the Amish... they are pretty much an oppressive cult with quaint appearance to the outside that does not carry over to the inside. The Amish in my former area were infamous for puppy mills[1], but there were also talks of rampant sexual abuse and domestic abuse[2]. There are a lot of problems in closed-off communities and they can be rife with abuse. While working at the hospital I often interacted with Amish patients, many were there because of drunk driving (they were racing buggies). If you want to embrace their ideas of simplicity, you can do so without needing to join them. Plant a garden and grow some of your own food. Choose minimal spartan furnishing for your home. Sew your own clothes. Learn woodworking. [1]: https://www.stoponlinepuppymills.org/amish-puppy-mills/ https://www.stoponlinepuppymills.org/amish-puppy-mills/ [2]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IUz0zCiVLI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IUz0zCiVLI
bmelton 4y ago
From https://lancasterpa.com/amish/amish-frequently-asked-questions/ https://lancasterpa.com/amish/amish-frequently-asked-questio... > “Can an outsider join the Amish church/community?” > “A local Amishman recently remarked, “You do not need to move here to adopt a lifestyle of simplicity and discipleship. You can begin wherever you are.” Yes, it is possible for outsiders, through conversion and convincement, to join the Amish community, but we must quickly add that it seldom happens. First, the Amish do not evangelize and seek to add outsiders to their church. Second, outsiders would need to live among the Amish and demonstrate a genuine conversion experience and faith that results in a changed lifestyle. Third, it is extremely difficult for anyone who has not been raised without electricity, automobiles, and other modern conveniences to adjust to the austere lifestyle of the Amish. And to truly be a part of the Amish community one would need to learn the Pennsylvania Dutch dialect.”
- emodendroket 4y ago
  Hey, if it's really something you would love so much learning Pennsylvania Dutch and giving up electricity are no big deal. Don't let your dreams be dreams.
smt88 4y ago
> I would actually love to become Amish I hope you're an adult male. They don't treat women and children well, and their justice system is designed to suppress crimes rather than prosecute them[1]. 1. https://www.amishheritage.org/this-devastating-lawsuit-destroys-your-right-to-learn/ https://www.amishheritage.org/this-devastating-lawsuit-destr...
carabiner 4y ago
Ask yourself: Would you like to be devout Christian? Because that's what the Amish are. If you oppose abortion and are generally a vaccine skeptic, you'll fit right in. This ex-Amish helps Amish escape the community: https://www.tiktok.com/@yodertoter40 https://www.tiktok.com/@yodertoter40. He talks about trying to visit an Amish church, and how they forbid people with tattoos, to give you an idea of how ascetic they are. I think what you really want is to live off grid in a homestead. You don't need to be Amish for that.
- jameslk 4y ago
  > I think what you really want is to live off grid in a homestead. What led you to believe this is the true desire of a total stranger on the internet?
  - carabiner 4y ago
    Adopting a primitive lifestyle is a sentiment that shows up a lot on HN; converting to Christianity does not.
    - argiopetech 4y ago
      63% of Americans self-report as Christian. Many denominations are as devout as the Amish (though they lack the aversion to modern technology). Why do you assume the need to convert?
      - giraffe_lady 4y ago
        Amish is a religious sect tied up with an ethnicity. The religion is a deeply integrated part of amishness and amish people wound never consider a non-christian to be amish.
        argiopetech 4y ago
        I've not suggested one could be Amish without being Christian. I've started that 63% of the US population are already some type of Christian and that some of that number are as adherent as Amish; therefore, that many people would not have to convert to Christianity if they were to attempt to integrate with an Amish community.
shp0ngle 4y ago
I was thinking, "hm, why are there no Black Amish", then I was thinking "ah there are Rastafari", and now I am putting "Amish fighting a Rastafari" to midjourney.

I would actually love to become Amish. Is it a community that outsiders can easily join? Or do you have to be born into it?

by Dig1t 4y ago

I would actually love to become Amish. Is it a community that outsiders can easily join? Or do you have to be born into it?

littlelady 4y ago

I think a lot of people romanticize the Amish... they are pretty much an oppressive cult with quaint appearance to the outside that does not carry over to the inside. The Amish in my former area were infamous for puppy mills[1], but there were also talks of rampant sexual abuse and domestic abuse[2]. There are a lot of problems in closed-off communities and they can be rife with abuse. While working at the hospital I often interacted with Amish patients, many were there because of drunk driving (they were racing buggies). If you want to embrace their ideas of simplicity, you can do so without needing to join them. Plant a garden and grow some of your own food. Choose minimal spartan furnishing for your home. Sew your own clothes. Learn woodworking. [1]: https://www.stoponlinepuppymills.org/amish-puppy-mills/ https://www.stoponlinepuppymills.org/amish-puppy-mills/ [2]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IUz0zCiVLI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IUz0zCiVLI

bmelton 4y ago

From https://lancasterpa.com/amish/amish-frequently-asked-questions/ https://lancasterpa.com/amish/amish-frequently-asked-questio... > “Can an outsider join the Amish church/community?” > “A local Amishman recently remarked, “You do not need to move here to adopt a lifestyle of simplicity and discipleship. You can begin wherever you are.” Yes, it is possible for outsiders, through conversion and convincement, to join the Amish community, but we must quickly add that it seldom happens. First, the Amish do not evangelize and seek to add outsiders to their church. Second, outsiders would need to live among the Amish and demonstrate a genuine conversion experience and faith that results in a changed lifestyle. Third, it is extremely difficult for anyone who has not been raised without electricity, automobiles, and other modern conveniences to adjust to the austere lifestyle of the Amish. And to truly be a part of the Amish community one would need to learn the Pennsylvania Dutch dialect.”

emodendroket 4y ago
Hey, if it's really something you would love so much learning Pennsylvania Dutch and giving up electricity are no big deal. Don't let your dreams be dreams.

smt88 4y ago

> I would actually love to become Amish I hope you're an adult male. They don't treat women and children well, and their justice system is designed to suppress crimes rather than prosecute them[1]. 1. https://www.amishheritage.org/this-devastating-lawsuit-destroys-your-right-to-learn/ https://www.amishheritage.org/this-devastating-lawsuit-destr...

carabiner 4y ago

Ask yourself: Would you like to be devout Christian? Because that's what the Amish are. If you oppose abortion and are generally a vaccine skeptic, you'll fit right in. This ex-Amish helps Amish escape the community: https://www.tiktok.com/@yodertoter40 https://www.tiktok.com/@yodertoter40. He talks about trying to visit an Amish church, and how they forbid people with tattoos, to give you an idea of how ascetic they are. I think what you really want is to live off grid in a homestead. You don't need to be Amish for that.

jameslk 4y ago
> I think what you really want is to live off grid in a homestead. What led you to believe this is the true desire of a total stranger on the internet?
- carabiner 4y ago
  Adopting a primitive lifestyle is a sentiment that shows up a lot on HN; converting to Christianity does not.
  - argiopetech 4y ago
    63% of Americans self-report as Christian. Many denominations are as devout as the Amish (though they lack the aversion to modern technology). Why do you assume the need to convert?
    - giraffe_lady 4y ago
      Amish is a religious sect tied up with an ethnicity. The religion is a deeply integrated part of amishness and amish people wound never consider a non-christian to be amish.
      - argiopetech 4y ago
        I've not suggested one could be Amish without being Christian. I've started that 63% of the US population are already some type of Christian and that some of that number are as adherent as Amish; therefore, that many people would not have to convert to Christianity if they were to attempt to integrate with an Amish community.

shp0ngle 4y ago

I was thinking, "hm, why are there no Black Amish", then I was thinking "ah there are Rastafari", and now I am putting "Amish fighting a Rastafari" to midjourney.