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The Amish

Decent Essays

The Amish
April 30, 2012
Ant 101

There are more than 250,000 Amish in the United States and Canada, the only places they live today. Most American’s view the Amish as backwards mainly because they shun the modern conveniences that most of us take advantage of on a daily basis. The Amish have a very rigid belief system –they believe that their religious faith and the way they live is inseparable and interdependent they do not consider it to be a lifestyle choice. The Amish was originated in Europe after splitting from Mennonite Swiss Brethren in 1692 over treatment of some of their members who had been found guilty of breaches of doctrine. The first Amish arrived in Pennsylvania in 1730’s to escape persecution in Europe. The Amish …show more content…

The Amish are pacifists and conscientious they avoid all violence including using angry words or going to the law. The Amish govern itself strictly, baptized members are morally committed to church rules, and erring members may be shunned until there is repentance, forgiveness and restoration to full fellowship. The Amish use three languages a German dialect called Pennsylvania Dutch at home, High German for worship and English with outsiders. The Amish only marry other Amish and don’t divorce they have large families usually with an average of 7-8 children. The Amish children are educated in their own schools and taught practical job skill-schooling for the Amish stops at 14. After age 16 Amish children can experience life outside the community for a period of time to decide whether they wish to become fully baptized members of their community, 90% of these children return and become part of the community.
The Amish use of doctors and hospitals varies they do not partake in annual check up’s or preventative care as they do not carry traditional medical insurance, it is also believed that the Amish have a higher pain threshold. The Amish are very appreciative of doctors that understand and trust the Amish culture and belief system, most doctors in Amish communities tend to make home visits, And most Amish do give birth at home with a midwife or sometimes a doctor-the cost of this is much less than a hospital birth. Birthing centers are also beginning to

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