Go Ask Your Daddy - Who Are the Amish?

The Amish are a popular subject of Christian fiction. It seems every other book on the shelf has a well scrubbed, cherubic face with a bonnet on the cover. Who are the Amish?

The Amish originated in Switzerland about 1525. 80 percent of the Amish now live in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana. The Amish take their name from Jacob Amman, one of their first leaders.

As Christians, the Amish believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, that there is one God eternally existing as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ, a free gift bestowed by God on those who repent and believe.

However, their particular religious philosophy differs from that of other Christians in how they feel that God wishes them to live. All Christians are commanded to live in the world, but not of it. (John 17:14-16; Romans 12:2) The Amish take this command to another level. Some would say, dangerously close to “works righteousness”.

The Amish believe that modern conveniences promote vanity, pride, and individualism. They wear plain clothing in order to not promote individualism. They do not allow photographs, or to be photographed, because they believe the practice promotes vanity. Automobiles, electricity, and technology can lead to pride and arrogance as it encourages competition and rivalry within the community. They often forbid education after eighth grade, believing that it could contribute to a feeling of self importance. These practices are their way of separating from the world and promoting community bonding.

The Amish are kind, hard-working and God fearing people but their traditions can lead to a legalism that takes away from the grace offered by our loving God.