Things I Learned About The Amish Culture
This post on the things I learned about the Amish culture will help you learn and gain some understanding of their beliefs and ways of life. They are such an intriguing and interesting culture that I have come to love! I am so grateful to be surrounded by them in Western Pennsylvania.
Table of Contents
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Who are the Amish?
The Amish are people that live life the way we used to, before technology. During the industrial revolution, the world evolved and the Amish refused to conform to society. So they continued to live in what we like to think of as “the past”. This is why the Amish Culture entices me.
What are some interesting facts about the Amish people?
Recently, me and my family went on a homeschooling trip to Smicksburg, PA. We shopped at an antique store, and saw Amish shopping at a Dollar General! I took some pictures while being there. You can see them here:
Here are all the 9 interesting facts about the Amish Culture:
1. They don’t use electricity.
2. They use oil lamps to light up their homes.
3. You can’t take pictures of them when they’re looking because of what they believe in the Second Commandment: “You shall not make yourselves any idols: any images resembling animals, birds, or fish. You must never bow to an image or worship it in any way; for I, the Lord your God, am very possessive. I will not share affection with any other god!”
4. They make their own clothes.
5. They ride in buggies, which are small covered carriages, that are pulled by horses.
6. They go to church every Sunday.
7. When Amish mothers and fathers grow old, the youngest son gets their house, and builds a house next to his for his mother and father so he can take care of them.
8. Amish children go to an Amish run school.
9. They don’t believe in Santa Claus or have Christmas trees, but they do give presents to their children and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ! Some Amish also celebrate Old Christmas which happens on January 6th, and they start the morning with rest and fasting.
Where to Find More Facts About the Amish
I highly recommend reading Inside the Simple Life: Finding Inspiration among the Amish. This is an easy to read book that I love! Not only have I met the author, Mrs. Susan Hougleman, but she gave me and my family a tour of the Amish community in New Wilmington Pennsylvania! If you are ever visiting Western Pennsylvania, then I highly recommend her tour, it’s called Simple Life Amish Tours. Make sure to tell her that Marcus sent you from Idiesfarm.com!
Where do most of the Amish live?
Amish live in 31 states, with the largest populations between Lancaster, Pennsylvania and Holmes County, Ohio. However, it has been said that the New Wilmington, PA Amish community is right up there in the running! Could you be lucky enough to have an Amish community in your state?
(If you are interested in learning the exact counties the Amish live in, then I suggest this book: Amish & Mennonite Settlements of America: A Guide to North America’s Horse and Buggy Groups and a Directory of Die Botschaft Scribes)
Here is a list of what states they are in:
Arkansas
Colorado
Delaware
Florida
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Maine
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Vermont
Virginia
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
That is what I learned about the Amish! I hope you learned a lot!
Thanks for reading,
Marcus!! This so crazy interesting! My doctor shared a story with me during Christmas on one of our conference calls. He and his wife live in Denver now, but he was raised in Brooklyn, NY. He loves to go to his home town during the holidays, and guess what else he loves? To Go To Amish Country and Stay With The Family of One Of His Patients For A WEEK! Now think about that! No electricity, no phones, no NOTHING!! Every Year!! And he and his wife both look so forward to it every year. It is a highlight and he just spews like a fountain telling me all about their adventures. How about that?
I am so proud of you, Marcus. You got my juices flowing today 🙂
Suzie
PS if you find any misspelled words, I plead guilty! Guilty because of long fingernails 🙁
Thank you Aunt Suzie! That is cool that your doctor stays with the Amish! I would love to stay with them too. I hope this helped you understand the them a lot more.