The Amish have a host of activities they participate in to pass the time. One of those, interestingly enough, is going to auctions! Whether you’re 9 or 99, going to an auction is fun for all! The thrill of buying something and bidding against your neighbor is always entertaining. Not to mention the fact that you can eat and drink and chat.
We wonder what sorts of items would go up for auction – perhaps livestock or haybales, or maybe even clothes. We’re sure there must be plenty of interesting knick-knacks from past generations!
They Pay Taxes, But Not Social Security
The vast majority of Amish don’t believe in getting benefits from the government, so they technically don’t have to pay Social Security, as they don’t receive the benefits, by choice.
They do, however, have to pay property and sales taxes like the rest of us.
No Church Building
While many make pilgrimages to visit beautiful old churches and places of worship all over the world, this is not the case for the Amish community. Places of worship are superfluous for the Amish people – so if you’re searching for some stained-glass monolith in Pennsylvania, you won’t find it.
The Amish are not ones for flashy churches or cathedrals – in fact, they take it a step further. The Amish believe you can teach the Bible anywhere and everywhere. This allows them to practice their faith wherever they feel comfortable.
Birding, Anyone?
A more refined version of “hunting”, another favorite pastime of the Amish is called “birding.” Amish birders hunt, but without the guns. It’s pretty much just bird watching; observing birds in their natural habitats.
It seems more fitting, given the pacifist nature of the Amish community, though its popularity differs depending on the group. According to Rich Stevick, a professor of Amish studies, there are “impressive numbers of Amish birders in Ohio and Indiana”, as opposed to in Lancaster Country.
Throwing Caution to the Wind
They say you shouldn’t shirk from your responsibilities on mundane things, but with the Amish, it’s a little more serious. These days, DNA testing is all the rage – which could probably be a huge help in determining and avoiding potential genetic issues before a baby is born. For the Amish, however, DNA testing is strictly forbidden.
It makes sense, though – you don’t exactly want to find out that your spouse is actually your cousin. The Amish acknowledge that if inbreeding occurs, it’s God’s will.