I know that sounds crazy, I wonder if they even allow those not born and raised Amish to come into their “world”? So what inspired my desire to want to become Amish? I watched last night’s Primetime special called “The Outsiders” which followed four teens and their journey of deciding whether or not to stay Amish or depart from their religion, culture, and family in order to enjoy and participate in modern society.The stereotypes of being Amish are that you do not drive a car (horses are their main mode of transportation), electricity is forbidden , dress is extremely conservative, and education past the 8th grade is nonexistent. Video games, cell phones, Ipods, and computers are for the most part, not a presence in an Amish upbringing. So as young adulthood approaches, many teens begin to contemplate whether or not they too will take the path their parents have chosen and commit themselves to God.
Unlike myself, baptized as a baby, the Amish believe that children cannot meaningfully accept God as their savior at a young, ignorant, and unknowing age. And so the Primetime special followed four Amish, about-to-be young adults, as they approached a crossroad in their life – commit to God and the Amish community or leave. I must add, the Amish are extremely forgiving people – always willing for the most part, to welcome back their sons and daughters so long as the come home ready to pledge their life to ways of the Amish.
Most watching probably thought, “Run…break free.” My response was “Stay…and take me to your world!”
The Amish strive to live a life where the outside world does not impact their home – the stresses and pressures to have a lucrative career, to remain competitive and always connected to work, to raise a family with two parents regularly not present – these are the variables the Amish eliminate from their lives and from the lives of their family. They do not wish to win lotto or to make a million dollars. They have remained true to the concept of the American Dream – have a home, raise a family, and provide for your children. A simple concept that may have lost its originality by an expanding need for society to want and demand more outside our basic needs.
Being Amish I suppose is like being on a year round vacation with some hard labor mixed in – yes typical chores that may be more difficult without electricity must be completed; however the ringing phone, bombardment of emails, stresses of work, and pressures to perform are eliminated from your daily routine. Isn't this one of the reasons we all leave our own homes and head for vacation?
As a society we have become accustomed to the demands and pressures of everyday existence that the Amish simple way of living seems unfathomable to us –Not answering the house, work, and cell phone? Shutting off the computer and not checking emails? No TV? What would we all do?
Imagine a life disconnected from everything around us except from our family? How would the world be different?
