As we’ve found, the Amish do not believe in building churches. Their take on houses of worship is that God is everywhere – and God lives within people. So in order to initiate a church service, all the Amish need is a gathering of people! Anywhere and everywhere can be a location for an Amish service.
Whether it’s outside in the stables, on the paddock, or inside someone’s humble abode, Amish services are simple. There are no candles, no incense, no altars, no icons, no nothing. It is very bare-bones and about the spirit of the community.
They Can’t Listen to Music
Aside from the occasional harmonica, the Amish aren’t allowed to play musical instruments, and they can’t listen to any music. Nothing in their home can have popular music.
All singing is usually done at church, using only songs from the Ausbund, which is their Amish church book.
How Good is Your Memory?
We’re only asking this because, if you’re Amish, you’re going to need a great memory! With no such thing as a phone, computer, let alone Instagram account, there’s no real way for the Amish to record their happy moments. Well, at least not on paper or film. Cameras are not utilized, because they are considered modern technology. And they don’t paint, either. So, what do they do to mark an important occasion?
Let’s think about something like the passing of a loved one – surely you need an image to remind you of them from time to time. But actually, it is quite the opposite for the Amish. Having a photo or painting of someone is in fact considered irreverent, and is totally prohibited!
Who Needs Fashion?
It makes sense that the Amish, what with their frugal and conservative lifestyle, would be against the idea of standing out and making a statement with one’s clothes. The actual reason for this is not because of the potential interaction with modern society, but rather because within the Amish tradition, it is important to avoid both vanity and selfishness. Seeing all as equal, regardless of how they look, is crucial to their philosophy.
The Amish, as a result, have women wear simple dresses, and men sport black pants and a plain shirt. Not a smudge of makeup or any fancy accessories – and not even a zig-zag stitch out of line!
Choosing the Amish Life
For us “English” people, it’s difficult to imagine wanting to go back to living an inconvenient and somewhat restrictive lifestyle. But hey, who are we to judge? These kids have been raised knowing nothing else, and human nature shows us that we are afraid of what we do not know or understand. Imagine a 14-year-old being thrown out into the world and expected to live and survive in a place totally foreign to them.
After they complete their 'Rumspringa' and decide to return to the Amish community, the teens are baptized and officially welcomed into the faith. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule: some teens decide that the non-Amish world is more vibrant and decide not to return. But with the community, it does not mean they are exiled after a certain time; they are always welcome to return and be initiated into the community.