# Q: Why Amish Reject the Modern World? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 18, 2006, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-why-amish-reject-the-modern-world/357214 "2006-05-18T03:08:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![holmes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e95f7d/32.png) [@holmes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/holmes)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2006, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-why-amish-reject-the-modern-world/357214/21 "2006-05-18T15:46:52Z")
How far does the shunning go? If Mr. Smith was injured and needed a ride to the hospital would the “community” help him or leave him in the dirt? ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2006, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-why-amish-reject-the-modern-world/357214/22 "2006-05-18T15:58:47Z")
> [@holmes](#): > > How far does the shunning go? If Mr. Smith was injured and needed a ride to the hospital would the “community” help him or leave him in the dirt? To be honest, I don’t know. From what I’ve been told and observed, though, once you’re out you are no longer going to be depending on the Amish community anyway. You wouldn’t find yourself in a place where you weren’t with other English people. You wouldn’t be living way out in the country amongst only Amish. You wouldn’t be working at a shop owned by an Amish guy. You also wouldn’t go out into the “modern world” on you own - you’d at least have a spouse. Now, if you found yourself in the position of perhaps walking down the street in the dead of night and a car hit you and drove off, and you happened to be in front of the farm of your family that is shunning you - I would imagine your family would indeed help you out. The Amish ARE Christians and that would be the Christian thing to do. Granted, it will probably not be all hugs and kisses, let’s make up afterwards, but they’re not going to let you die. ---
**Author:** ![Valgard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2006, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-why-amish-reject-the-modern-world/357214/23 "2006-05-18T16:30:14Z")
I went out to Ohio with my girlfriend last Thanksgiving and we spent a day up around Amish country (don’t remember the exact town but we went to Lehman’s if you know the area). There were plenty of Amish and Mennonites. Everyone in the stores and businesses was very friendly, all the stores had electric lights and fridges (as needed), there were Amish standing in line at the local java shop ordering their frappacinos or whatever, etc. I’ve always heard what others have said, the Amish don’t reject modern technology, they just keep it out of the home and don’t use it outside if it isn’t appropriate. They are good businessmen so farmers have cell phones, they just don’t use them at home, that sort of thing. Two fun things: 1. There’s a hot sauce store in town, one of those places that has about a jillion varieties. My g/f and I stopped in since she likes spicy food and I have an asbestos palette. We were talking with the owner about how she displayed sauces, many of which have names that might be offensive to the Amish (“Ass-Kicking Hot Sauce”, that sort of thing). When she opened the store she consulted with a former Amish friend of hers on what would be appropriate, then one day an elderly Amish gentleman came in. He beckoned her over and said that he was looking for his favorite hot sauce, the name of which he didn’t want to say loudly. He was asking for “Bitch On The Beach” hot sauce. At that point she figured she could sell just about anything (although she didn’t have “The Hottest Fucking Sauce”, one of my favorites). 2. At Lehman’s (great big Amish hardware store) they have tons of stoves and refrigerators - wood/coal burning stoves and gas-powered fridges (so you don’t need electricity in your home). There were a couple of Amish gents checking out one big fridge, the funny thing is that it looked like it had rolled out of West Coast Choppers - massive jet black fridge with huge chrome flames riveted to it, I kid you not. Somebody’s buying that stuff and I don’t imagine it’s non-Amish folks coming up from Columbus instead of heading over to Sears… ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2006, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-why-amish-reject-the-modern-world/357214/24 "2006-05-18T17:09:01Z")
I recently drove about 40 minutes to Smicksburg, PA, which has a large Amish community. I bought a shed from an Amish business that cuts down trees, mills the lumber, then builds stuff from the wood. Great quality at reasonable prices. They employ a non-Amish man to drive the delivery vehicle and a non-Amish woman to work the phones. Very nice people, eager to chat about differences between our cultures. ---
**Author:** ![Excalibre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Excalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Excalibre)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2006, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-why-amish-reject-the-modern-world/357214/25 "2006-05-18T18:59:14Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Sometimes whole families leave. My grandmother’s dad became disenfranchised with the way things were done when she turned 18 (she was the oldest girl in the family and it freaked him out to consider some of the sexual practices that she might be exposed to) Huh? He was worried that the Amish were going to lead his daughter into sexual deviancy? ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2006, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-why-amish-reject-the-modern-world/357214/26 "2006-05-18T19:20:33Z")
> [@Jinx](#): > > Or, they truly believe the camera will steal their soul? I’m thinking of telling people I believe that. I hate having my picture taken- I’m the opposite of photogenic. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2006, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-why-amish-reject-the-modern-world/357214/27 "2006-05-18T19:29:43Z")
> [@Excalibre](#): > > Huh? He was worried that the Amish were going to lead his daughter into sexual deviancy? I think he was afraid of what she might do during her \*rumsprinnga \*- the period when Amish kids go live in the English world and decide whether or not they’ll stay Amish. So he was worried about the English (“mainstream”) sexual practices, not the Amish ones. By leaving the Amish and becoming a Mennonite, he avoided having to allow her to leave his watchful eye. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-why-amish-reject-the-modern-world/357214/28 "2006-05-19T01:23:16Z")
I saw a report on _60 Minutes_ or _Dateline_ (or one of those shows), about one of the real downsides of the Amish culture: serious inbreeding. Because they will only marry other Amish, they have inbred to an extent rarely seen before. This has led to an extremely high level of birth defects, mental retardation, and rare genetic disorders in their children, all of which they refer to as “God’s will.” So while they may have a relatively enlightened attitude about evaluating modern technology, their theology overrides any willingness to consider the lessons of genetics and the tragic effect it is having on their own children. ---
**Author:** ![5\_time\_champ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/278dde/32.png) [@5\_time\_champ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5_time_champ)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-why-amish-reject-the-modern-world/357214/29 "2006-05-19T04:45:37Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > My understanding of the Amish is that they’re fanatical about rejecting materialism and consumerism. For example, clothing is worn for two purposes: to keep yourself decently covered, and to protect against harsh weather conditions. They’re not supposed to concern themselves with fashion, or being trendy, or anything of that nature. I dunno, I visited Lancaster, Co PA a couple years ago. The Amish there seemed to have no problem accepting new fangled Federal Reserve Notes. ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-why-amish-reject-the-modern-world/357214/30 "2006-05-19T04:55:34Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > I saw a report on _60 Minutes_ or _Dateline_ (or one of those shows), about one of the real downsides of the Amish culture: serious inbreeding. Because they will only marry other Amish, they have inbred to an extent rarely seen before. This has led to an extremely high level of birth defects, mental retardation, and rare genetic disorders in their children, all of which they refer to as “God’s will.” > > So while they may have a relatively enlightened attitude about evaluating modern technology, their theology overrides any willingness to consider the lessons of genetics and the tragic effect it is having on their own children. On the other hand, some of the best work on genetic problems is being done in Amish communities, as doctors and families work together to cure and prevent these cases. Research and treatments used on Amish children are then used throughout the world. Doctors say that Amish families make wonderful patients, willing to do anything to help their families. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-why-amish-reject-the-modern-world/357214/31 "2006-05-19T04:55:44Z")
I also heard that puppy mills are common in the Amish community-is that true? ---
**Author:** ![scotandrsn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a4c791/32.png) [@scotandrsn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotandrsn)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-why-amish-reject-the-modern-world/357214/32 "2006-05-19T06:14:55Z")
When I toured the Lancaster PA area some 20-odd years ago, it explained that the Amish did not wire their homes for electricity as a rule because condoning its use would put them into the position of forcing someone (the people who keep the power plant running 24/7) to work on Sundays. All the homes I saw had refillable propane tanks outside them, so they obviously don’t reject every modern convenience. ---
**Author:** ![tim314](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim314/32/3468_2.png) [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-why-amish-reject-the-modern-world/357214/33 "2006-05-19T09:30:23Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > The Amish don’t reject “the modern world” or “modern conveniences”. When something new comes along (I’m not sure if I saw this in **Devil’s Playground** or it was in the local news in PA), the community will examine it. If they decide it’s likely to be harmful to family life (ej Gameboys) or that it’s only purpose is convenience (zippers over buttons), then they reject it. What’s wrong with _convenience_? I can understand not wanting modern diversions like video games to detract from time spent together as a family (although a lot of modern diversions _can_ be enjoyed as a family) – but wouldn’t time-saving technologies just give them _more_ family time? ---
**Author:** ![tim314](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim314/32/3468_2.png) [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 9:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-why-amish-reject-the-modern-world/357214/34 "2006-05-19T09:31:35Z")
Also, what kind of activities do the Amish use for recreation? Or is it all work and no play? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-why-amish-reject-the-modern-world/357214/35 "2006-05-19T10:17:18Z")
> [@tim314](#): > > Also, what kind of activities do the Amish use for recreation? Or is it all work and no play? Sports, board games, hobbies like quilting and wood working and all sorts of artsy-craftsy things provided they have a practical use - the Amish don’t have art for art’s sake, but you can certainly make fancy bed coverings. I have a book with several examples of Amish-embellish wall calendards. As mentioned, they do take vacations and I’ve seen them in downtown Chicago being tourists, going to museams, eating in nice restaurants, and so forth. I would imagine there’s a fair amount of sitting on the back porch and talking with each other, too. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-why-amish-reject-the-modern-world/357214/36 "2006-05-19T14:11:55Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > I also heard that puppy mills are common in the Amish community-is that true? Yep. No cite, but plenty of first hand knowledge. Their general view of animals is _very_ utilitarian. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-why-amish-reject-the-modern-world/357214/37 "2006-05-19T17:41:47Z")
> [@vetbridge](#): > > Yep. No cite, but plenty of first hand knowledge. Their general view of animals is _very_ utilitarian. That’s a pretty common trait amongst rural folk most anywhere. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-why-amish-reject-the-modern-world/357214/38 "2006-05-19T17:44:29Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > That’s a pretty common trait amongst rural folk most anywhere. Agreed in general, however IME the Amish take it up a notch. A rural family may have no “feelings” for their milk cow, yet they pamper a housedog. The Amish (again, IME) do not treat the housedog differently than the milkcow. ---
**Author:** ![brianjedi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@brianjedi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brianjedi)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-why-amish-reject-the-modern-world/357214/39 "2006-05-19T18:02:01Z")
> [@vetbridge](#): > > I recently drove about 40 minutes to Smicksburg, PA, which has a large Amish community. I bought a shed from an Amish business that cuts down trees, mills the lumber, then builds stuff from the wood. Great quality at reasonable prices. They employ a non-Amish man to drive the delivery vehicle and a non-Amish woman to work the phones. Very nice people, eager to chat about differences between our cultures. I’ve encountered the same thing. My father has a tractor shed built by a couple of Amish carpenters, who had a non-Amish guy that handled their business and drove the truck that pulled a trailer loaded with power tools for them. I’m still not entirely sure how a couple of Amish families ended up in western Kentucky, though. The local Wal-Mart actually put up a hitching post for their horses. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-why-amish-reject-the-modern-world/357214/40 "2006-05-19T18:07:38Z")
> [@vetbridge](#): > > Agreed in general, however IME the Amish take it up a notch. A rural family may have no “feelings” for their milk cow, yet they pamper a housedog. The Amish (again, IME) do not treat the housedog differently than the milkcow. Housedog? What the heck is that? Dogs aren’t allowed in the house. Seriously, I know a lot of rural families that don’t treat their dogs any different than the cows. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-why-amish-reject-the-modern-world/357214.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-why-amish-reject-the-modern-world/357214.md?page=3)