Amish: Cultural Identity

For this blog I will lean more into the Cultural Identity of the Amish population.  For the Amish, the Cultural Identity is the driving force that makes the Amish people different from the rest of the population.  I expect it's that way for all religions, but for this blog we will just focus on the Amish religion. 

While I was researching for this blog, I was able to get an interview with one of my Amish neighbors.  The neighbor in particular is Neomi Miller.

The majority of Old Order Amish congregations do not have church buildings, but hold worship services in each others private homes.  They believe in having service in each others homes because of a verse from the New Testament: "The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands…" (Acts 17:24).  Unlike most other church congregations whose membership is based on whoever visits, stays, and joins, the Amish congregations are based on the physical location of their residence.  Each congregation is made up of 25–30 neighboring farm or related families  Accordingly, each member is also a neighbor. There is no "church hopping" from church to church like modern Protestant churches, and relationships are assumed to be long-term. (Naomi Miller, field notes from personal interview, 10/15/11).

Congregations meet for the entire Sunday at a member family's farm in which they rotate between the families.  Each congregation's leadership is made up with one of the members serving as bishop, one as deacon, and one as a secretary.  Congregation leaders meet with other congregation leaders within the same district from time to time and compare needs, problems, teachings, etc.(Timmons, 9/10/11).

Amish gathering for Church

 Two key things that make up the Amish religion are the rejection to pride, arrogance, haughtiness, and the high value they place on humility, and composure.  It is in the Amish Religion to not stand out and let-be the situations that are occurring. The Amish's willingness to submit to the "Will of God", expressed through group norms, is at odds with the individualism which is at the center I think of the American culture. The Amish anti-individualist orientation is the motive for rejecting labor-saving technologies that might make one less dependent on community. Modern innovations like electricity might spark a competition for status goods, or photographs might cultivate personal vanity. (Naomi Miller, field notes from personal interview, 10/15/11).

The Amish consider the Bible a trustworthy guide for living but do not quote it excessively. To do so would be considered a sinful showing of pride.  Separation from the rest of society is based on being a "chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people"(1 Peter 2:9), not being "conformed to this world" (Romans 12:2), avoiding the "love [of] the world or the things in the world" (1 John 2:15) and the belief that "friendship with the world is enmity with God" (James 4:4). (Naomi Miller, field notes from personal interview, 10/15/11).

Sadly for this blog I was unable to get a picture of Naomi or her family, but I will try to bring pictures and possibly video interviews.  Naomi and her family are part of a slightly laid back congregation and do allow photos and videos of themselves. 

For my next blog, I will be digging deeper into the cultural identity of the Amish community. 


Timmons, J. (9/10/11). Amish Religious Practices. Retrieved fromhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amish_religious_practices