by Andrea Theisson

Created on: June 05, 2009   Last Updated: June 06, 2009

The Amish are a respected and hard-working segment of our rural population, and really aren't terribly different from most religious folks who keep to themselves. These old-order Germanic families are very communal, strict-yet-tolerant with their children, and are industrious organic farmers living a simplified life that has lasted through many generations. Nothing is wasted or taken for granted. They are quite civilized, excellent neighbors and generous in times of need. The craftsmen and women of the Amish have often opened their doors to outsiders who wanted to learn about their traditions and skills.

These Plain People are independent of many of our cultural weaknesses, and yet know that they have their own issues and sins to handle within their church-communities. Families, church and the farms are their central concerns, as opposed to outsiders' focus on materialism, networking, recognition and global events. Of course, many English people or non-Amish are also very involved with their families, churches and farms, but there is a wider awareness of the worldly life, much more competition and vanity. The Amish do try to minimize emphasis on unnecessary academic knowledge or comparisons with the loud, plastic modern society. They avoid politics, smart people that they are. The young adults are graciously allowed a period of exploration and sowing of wild oats known as Rumspringa, with the blessing of the elders who find that most return to the fold.

Theirs is a labor-intensive lifestyle, but then no-one ever needs to join a gym. They can have a wonderful sense of joy in the communal efforts - especially at harvest or market-days, the big barn-raisings, the mud sales (of livestock, in the muddy early springtime before fields can be worked), weddings and quilting bees. Just like the rest of the world, they have their jokes and good humor, great food to share, and happy childhoods and marriages along with troubled ones. The strict Biblical religion is no worse than many of the conservative institutions existing in the greater world. Judgmentalism exists in the modern workplace, academia, and the arts, as well as put forth by many major faiths. There is always a risk of psychological damage when this exists. Individual Amish people seem to have a strong sense of place and identity.

Clothing may seem extremely limited, but the women who sew have their own touches of quality and take some modest pride in their work. The uniformity of dress reminds one of the conformity seen in certain Main Line country clubs, golf courses, sororities, Wall Street or even the obligatory black clothing of the NYC art scene. And, the Amish hats are functional, the aprons serve a purpose, and the shoes are sensible!

The agrarian life has a totally different pace than modern city life, and an aesthetic all its own, and many others have found the slower speed to be quite compatible with all sorts of contemporary occupations. The Amish are good people, trying to live their beliefs. We can all learn much by observing their low-impact farming methods, the rapport with their neighbors, the self-sufficiency, and the efficient industry of these folks. Living quietly and close to nature may not be mainstream, but it is certainly an honest, valid lifestyle.

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