The Amish People: Personal Opinion

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Aspects of the Amish Culture
Dealing with the Law and Communication
Benefits of this Lifestyle
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

Kraybill defines “the Amish people as a traditional group that follow strict Christian values and beliefs” (47). Members of this cultural group are believed “to have Swiss Anabaptist origins” (Smucker 24). The outstanding fact about this religious group is that it embraces a simple lifestyle. Individuals have ignored the benefits of modern inventions such as cars, electricity, and machines. The “culture focuses on special rules known as the Ordnung” (Craker 56).

Such rules dictate the behaviors, ideas, teachings, and values embraced by members of the religious group. It is also notable that individuals who fail to follow the Ordnung are usually excommunicated. This practice encourages more individuals to support and follow the teachings of the religion. This essay, therefore, explains why the choices, lifestyles, and behaviors embraced by the Amish people are good.

Thesis statement

The Amish people lead a simple lifestyle characterized by natural food sources, lack of electricity, and absence of industrial practices thus avoiding most of the problems affecting humanity today.

Aspects of the Amish Culture

To begin with, the number of Amish people has been increasing steadily since 1980. The cultural group also supports and embraces powerful ideas that can empower its people. The first outstanding feature is that “members of the religious follow a simple lifestyle” (“What Drives the Amish Culture?” par. 5). For instance, females are expected “to wear modest attires made from solid-colored material” (Craker 38).

Such dresses should also be extremely long. This requirement is critical towards ensuring the believers remain decent. As well, women are not “allowed to trim their hair and should be worn in a bun on their heads” (Craker 46). Men should have dark-colored attires. Their clothes should also have conventional buttons. Young men are expected to grow their beards only after getting married (“What Drives the Amish Culture?” par. 8). According to many analysts, this practice of having unique clothes can be defined as a symbol of humility. The practice also separates members of this group from the outside world.

The other aspect is that the Amish people do not have electricity in their homes (Craker 73). According to the culture, electricity is inappropriate because it can encourage more people to interact and connect with the world. This is the case because it can make it easier for them to use various appliances and television sets. The practice can eventually encourage more people to embrace the power of modernism (“Amish People and Amish Culture” par. 3). They also explain how the Holy Bible discourages “true believers from conforming to the world” (Romans 12:2). Many religious leaders believe that electricity can eventually result in temptations and eventually affect their religious values.

Amish foods are sourced from different traditional or natural plants. People avoid processed food materials obtained from different industries. People embrace natural foods because they are nutritious and harmless to their health. They do not use chemicals and additives whenever preserving their foods. They use various traditional cooking methods in order to conserve the nutrients contained in such foods (“What Drives the Amish Culture?” par. 3). This fact explains why people’s food is healthy.

The people’s relationship and interaction with the natural environment is something admirable. For instance, these people occupy different regions that have not been exploited by man. They “interact freely with the natural environment” (Kraybill 65). They obtain some of their food materials from different natural sources. They also “engage in sustainable agricultural practices” (Kraybill 88).

These traditional methods of food production have continued to support the integrity of every surrounding environment. Smucker also believes that people embrace powerful strategies in order to conserve their natural surroundings (79). For example, the Amish people always use traditional methods to transport their materials from point A to B. Modern transportation methods such as cars are disproved by the culture. The “buggy and the horse form a critical part of the people’s transportation network” (“What Drives the Amish Culture?” par. 2).

The above practices make it possible for members of this culture to have a sustainable lifestyle. They avoid expenses by growing their own food. The use of traditional methods of transportation cannot pollute the natural environment. The individuals also promote powerful practices that will make the environment more sustainable (“Amish People and Amish Culture” par. 2). Such practices can be embraced by different communities in order to deal with various social problems.

The community also embraces some of the best religious values. For instance, the Amish embrace the teachings of the Holy Bible. Such teachings encourage them “to eat healthy foods, engage in positive behaviors, conserve the environment, and always support one another” (Smucker 72). These practices have been essential towards supporting the goals and expectations of many people. The majority of “the individuals live within their means” (Kraybill 99).

They avoid unnecessary expenses by leading simple lifestyles. They believe that modern gadgets and appliances are inappropriate for true believers. Such values, teachings, and practices have made it possible for the culture to remain unique.

Dealing with the Law and Communication

The Amish people condone various malpractices such as theft and disobedience. The people focus on the best religious teachings in order to achieve their goals. The group also encourages its people to focus on the best social behaviors. These approaches have made it easier “for the people to deal with law in the modern world” (Kraybill 103).

The people also embrace the best communication strategies. For instance, young individuals should always respect their seniors. They should seek guidance and listen attentively whenever interacting with older people. The people also embrace similar approaches whenever communicating with the other people in the community (Powell par. 3). Such communication behaviors have made it possible for them to deal with various social problems.

Benefits of this Lifestyle

I strongly believe that the Amish people have a good lifestyle. This is true because the above traditional practices continue to support their needs. Most of these people encounter minimal challenges in their lives. They embrace simple practices thus making it easier for their descendants to have better lives. They have achieved this goal by avoiding modern technologies such as electricity (“Amish People and Amish Culture” par. 4). They have avoided technology because it produces numerous social problems and evils. The decision to lead a simple lifestyle continues to produce plentiful benefits.

The Amish people also live in healthy environments that have not been polluted by mankind. Some human activities such as mining, manufacturing, and agriculture have been the leading causes of pollution. Members of the culture inhabit specific environments that lack such industries. As well, the people do not engage in any industrial practice. The situation explains why their environments are unpolluted (“Amish People and Amish Culture” par. 6). They do not have factories and cars. This situation explains why their environments are not polluted.

Polluted environments are associated with different challenges such as health complications and diseases. They also inhale clean air thus having healthy bodies. Polluted water can result in different diseases such as typhoid and cholera. The Amish people do not encounter such health problems. The people also embrace the best social behaviors. Some malpractices such as premarital sex are discouraged by this cultural group.

The practice has reduced the number of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The people also eat healthy foods. Their “diets are also balanced thus reducing some of the diseases associated with poor eating habits” (“What Drives the Amish Culture?” par. 8). The lifestyle also encourages more people to exercise frequently. This fact explains why such people do not encounter most of the diseases affecting humanity today.

Conclusion

The outstanding argument is that the Amish people have a good lifestyle. The lifestyle does not embrace modern technologies. The cultural values of the Amish group discourage people from committing various offenses. They also use proper communication practices. Similar approaches are also embraced whenever interacting with people from other backgrounds. This discussion, therefore, shows how the Amish people have addressed most of the social issues affecting many communities today. The culture has managed to deal with various diseases, environmental problems, and public health issues (Powell par. 7).

The cultural group discourages the use of modern technologies. The practice supports their religious values, needs, and expectations. The greatest question is whether the culture will continue to embrace its traditional practices especially with the current wave of human technology.

Works Cited

Amish People and Amish Culture 2015. Web.

Craker, Lorilee. Money Secrets of the Amish: Finding True Abundance in Simplicity, Sharing, and Saving. Dallas: Thomas Nelson Incorporation, 2012. Print.

Kraybill, Donald. The Riddle of the Amish Culture. Baltimore: The John Hopkins University Press, 2013. Print.

Powell, Albrecht. Amish Culture, Beliefs & Lifestyle. n.d. Web.

Smucker, Janneken. Amish Quilts: Crafting an American Icon. Baltimore: The John Hopkins University Press, 2013. Print.

What Drives the Amish Culture? 2015. Web.

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