AMISH MAFIA?? Anyone know about this?

[TheAviator]

What is the deal with this Amish mafia thing? Is this a scripted fake show posing as a reality show? I thought the Amish were supposed to be passive peaceful people, yet this show is about a mafia type organization going around busting peoples windows, blowing things up I have not actually watched an episode but have seen countless trailers with all of this, just confused. Does anyone know about this? Are there any Amish here that can clear this up to whether or not this is just fiction? Or what?

 

[brockash]

My DH likes and watches the show, and I'm actually from Lancaster, PA (where they do most of the filming, although not Amish myself). Yes, I think for the most part, like most "reality shows" it's pretty much all fake/scripted etc.

 

[mickeyboat]

It is scripted and fake.

 

[My2Qtz0205]

I thought the Amish people did not allow photographs of themselves, or show up on TV. Is that a myth?

I laughed when I saw the previews. So ridiculous.

 

[powellrj]

http://lancasteronline.com/article/...-fake--Lancaster-County-viewers-weigh-in.html

 

[htmom]

It is scripted and fake. That said the Amish are usually quite self contained so they do disipline from within. I used to live in a town called belleville and while there was no "mafia" I know they had men who were protectors and who had there own way of running things.

 

[Kristibo42]

It's all fake I work with someone that knows them. Nothing real about the show.

 

[bcla]

I thought the Amish people did not allow photographs of themselves, or show up on TV. Is that a myth?

I laughed when I saw the previews. So ridiculous.

It all depends on the individual. Different communities have different opinions on the use of technology. I remember one pair that were volunteer firefighters in a community in Ohio. They wanted to remain as such even though there were concerns that their beards would prevent to proper sealing of their firefighting masks. The pair posed for photos in to get publicity for their fight. A lot of people randomly take photos of the Amish in public settings. They won't necessarily pose for them, but they often don't object to being photographed per se.

I remember hearing some long radio piece where the subject was an Amish products fair where the Amish were looking to buy power tools and means to work when they couldn't otherwise use things we'd take for granted like electric lighting. Some of the products were produced by Amish owned companies. A lot of them were air powered, to get around some of the hesitation of using electricity. The reporter had a heck of a time getting anyone Amish to submit to being recorded, but apparently she got one potential Amish customer to talk and talk and talk. He was unlike most of the others there.

http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=172626089

SMITH: Elva Otto is Amish. In fact, he's the only Amish guy I met who consented to do a recorded interview.

OTTO: 'Cause I don't know how to keep my mouth shut.

(LAUGHTER)

SMITH: So Otto was telling me about this problem of the dim Amish workshops. About how his company, Day Star, came up with a electricity-free solution. They developed industrial skylights. Special reflective light tubes that you install on the roof of your workshop and it funnels the sunlight into the space. It's kind of amazing. Sure, you could call it a loophole. But Otto prefers to call all of this stuff ingenuity.

OTTO: I have had a guy made the remark that it takes more technology to be Amish than it doesn't. Because most people can take something and plug it into the wall. Well, we've got to figure out OK, we can't use electricity for this so then we get creative and figure out how to make something work.

 

[wiigirl]

It is scripted and fake.

I still enjoy watching it though.

 

[EMAW_KSU]

It is scripted and fake.

Like all reality shows.

 

[TheAviator]

Ok well good I didn't want that to ruin my impressions about the Amish. I don't get the whole won't use electricity thing though but whatever. I personally like electricity a lot.

 

[nd5056]

When i think of Amish Mafia, the beard shaving incident comes to mind. Now that's what a real Amish Mafia would do.

It also reminds me of this Amish Paradise Video here:

.

 

[trip]

I thought that the meaning of "reality shows" was "scripted and fake".

 

[bcla]

Ok well good I didn't want that to ruin my impressions about the Amish. I don't get the whole won't use electricity thing though but whatever. I personally like electricity a lot.

Different communities have different standards on how much is "too much". Some will actually use electricity if it comes from batteries and/or generators, and not an active power grid. Some buggies have flashing lights for safety, which are battery powered. I've heard some Amish communities have telephones for doing business, but it's typically placed in a separate building to make it inconvenient to use it on a routine basis. It's available when absolutely needed, but not so readily accessible that one would use it to socialize.

I've even heard of some Amish communities buying tractors. It's up to each community to determine how much technology they will allow. I mean - some of the stuff the Amish consider basic to their lives was probably considered new technology 100 years ago.

A lot will actually wear mass-produced work boots. Young Amish are actually allowed to do whatever they want and then decide at adulthood if they want to live an Amish lifestyle or go out into the wider world. I've seen photos of Amish girls talking on cell phones.

The oddest thing I've heard is that they often travel to Mexico for cheaper medical care. Los Angeles Union Station sees a lot of Amish traveling cross country before getting a bus transfer to their final destination. Here's a photo someone took:

http://adlad1234.deviantart.com/art/Amish-at-Union-Station-Los-Angeles-374954079

 

[bcla]

When i think of Amish Mafia, the bird shaving incident comes to mind. Now that's what a real Amish Mafia would do.

It also reminds me of this Amish Paradise Video here:

.

Bird shaving or beard shaving? I heard they also cut the hair of women.

 

[nd5056]

Bird shaving or beard shaving? I heard they also cut the hair of women.

Got to love the auto correct... And since I had the second part of the post on my mind, i never looked back to verify.

Anyway, i was referring to this story, blowing things up doesn't sound real when thinking of them

 

[bcla]

Got to love the auto correct... And since I had the second part of the post on my mind, i never looked back to verify.

Anyway, i was referring to this story, blowing things up doesn't sound real when thinking of them

Absolutely I've heard of the beard shaving incidents. The leader who ordered the attacks was named Samuel Mullet, and he ended up in prison for ordering the attacks. Here's his booking photo:

Apparently they had no problem using certain electrical devices, because some of the "weapons" used in the crimes were battery-powered hair clippers.

 

[ChemGeek]

It is scripted and fake.

Beyond all shadow of doubt.