Introduction To Anthropology: The Amish Community

2975 Words12 Pages
The Amish Culture ANT101: Introduction to Anthropology Dr. Ratcliffe November 5, 2012 Jaclyn Garrison I live in Indiana right at the heart of the Amish community. I drive down the road and see Amish buggies out and about or go grocery shopping and see the Amish there. I have always wondered about the Amish Community and have realized since moving back to Indiana, almost a year ago, that I really do not know much about them. The Amish community is a private community that has all of their own beliefs and systems in which they run their lives under. These beliefs are so different from that of ours. I plan to inform you as well as myself more about these customs so as to have a better understanding my own neighbors. The Amish came…show more content…
Amish are taught to respect and pray for governing authorities according to biblical admonitions. Amish emphasize the separation of church and state and prefer not to receive subsidies from government programs. Amish typically will not serve in government committees or commissions, but will often consult and cooperate with local officials. (Bloomfield, 2012). Amish generally avoid holding public office and engaging in political activism, but are permitted to vote. The rate of voting is typically low unless a local issue is on the ballot. In recent years, numerous conflicts have pitted the Amish against the growing regulatory power of the state. Points of friction have included military service, education, Social Security, health care, property zoning, child labor, photo identification, and the use of slow-moving-vehicle signs. To cope with these various conflicts, the Amish have formed a national steering committee with representatives in various states to work with public legislators when issues arise. The Amish have fared rather well in a political system that respects and protects their freedom of religious expression. Holidays observed by the Amish are the religious holidays of Thanksgiving, Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, Ascension Day, Pentecost, and Whit Monday (the day after pentecost). The reasons for these observances are too fast and meditate on scriptures related to these days. We should also mention that December 25 is a solemn celebration of Christ's birth and "second Christmas" on December 26 is a time for visiting and family
Open Document