Why Do The Strict Order Of Amish/mennonites Ride In Horse And Buggies But Can Still Use Tractors To Farm?
In my area I’m noticing that while they still use horse and carraige to get around these same people will use large farm equipment to farm and even to mow the lawn. I would really love to know how they justify it?
Tags: Amish/mennonites, Buggies, Farm, Horse, Order, Ride, Still, Strict, Tractors
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November 7th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
The Amish I’ve seen in northern Indiana still use teams of Belgians to pull their plows, but will use small mowers to do their lawns. I asked about it and was told something about it was okay to get things from outside the community (where do you think they get the kerosene for their lamps? They can’t manufacture that themselves), but they aren’t *dependent on* people outside the community.
Some additional reading says that their aversion is to “any technology which they feel weakens the family structure. The conveniences that the rest of us take for granted such as electricity, television, automobiles, telephones and tractors are considered to be a temptation that could cause vanity, create inequality, or lead the Amish away from their close-knit community and, as such, are not encouraged or accepted in most orders.”
Also, there are different types of Amish, and they have differing rules with regards to what is and isn’t acceptable:
Technology is one of the areas where you will see the greatest differences between Amish orders. The Swartzentruber and Andy Weaver Amish are ultraconservative in their use of technology – the Swartzentruber, for example, do not even allow the use of battery lights. Old Order Amish have little use for modern technology, but are allowed to ride in motorized vehicles including planes and automobiles, though they are not allowed to own them. The New Order Amish permit the use of electricity, ownership of automobiles, modern farming machines, and telephones in the home.
November 8th, 2009 at 12:08 am
Mennonites have the option to use modern items and some of the progressive Amish do as well, but the old traditionalist stick to the faith passionately and consider the ones that do not,untrue to the faith. It is like with Christianity there are so many divisions and factions and then you have factions within each of those religions the same is true of the Amish and Mennonites. Just like christians who judge, they are not true to the teachings of Jesus. “Judge not lest ye be judged.”
November 8th, 2009 at 2:56 am
They are retards ? Look at any religion and you will find these contradictions.
November 8th, 2009 at 4:13 am
Good question. I’ve wondered that myself. If there are any Amish or Mennonites online maybe we’ll find out.
November 8th, 2009 at 10:28 am
they wouldnt be on here first of all, unless they were able to leave their family which there allowed to do, i suppose under there community law, to increase abundance in their crop and considering a tractor is not considered a car per say they are allowed to use
farm equipment is ok
November 8th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
There is no way to justify it, it’s all just a bunch of made up rules, Jesus called it the leaven of the pharisees.
November 8th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
I don’t know from what part ot the country you write, so I can’t answer for those of whom you speak.
I CAN tell you that Amish and some Mennonites don’t fear or even reject technology. They tend not to embrace a technnology simply because it makes thing easier. The labor to produce food and a home is honored. The accumulation of wealth and leisure time is not.
If an Amish community grows enough to support itself and to provide the charitable works it needs, then they willl not buy or trade for a device to make it easier to do. If a person of these faiths needed to travel across the country, they would likely take a train. If time were a critical factor, they would fly.
The Amish I visited in Pennsylvania used electricity, for example, but produced it themselves. They choose not to receive it from the local power grid. They have no problem buying ice from a local grocery store if it meant saving their home’s procuce from spoiling in a heat wave.
Among their many beliefs include a disdain from excess stimulation. I heard a story of a non Amish neighbor, when visiting one of his friends, brought a bag of corn chips and a jar of home made salsa. His friends tried some, but found the salsa too strong for their tastes, but enjoyed the store bought corn chips.
November 8th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
To be competitive in the marketplace.