Now I know why there's so many misconceptions floating around about them out there.. It seems that simply stating the "Amish" is equivalent to saying someone is "Christian".. There are so many variations - each with their own set of rules and regulations, my head has been spinning for two days now..
I've been reading two non-fiction books ("Living Without Electricity" and "The Amish Wedding and Other Special Occasions of Old Order Communities") and my eyes have certainly been opened to all of the differences within the various "orders"..
Some of those mentioned are:
Old Order
New Order
Dover Group
Lancaster (with numerous groups of "Old" and "New" orders)
Nebraska or "White Tops"
Somerset Group
Swartzentruber Group
Andy Weaver Group
Holmes Co. Old Order
Homes Co. New Order
Geauga Co.
Adams Co.
LaGrange Co.
Nappanee, IN
Arthur, IL
Kalona, IA
Buchanan Co., IA
Haven, KA
Milverton, ON
Aylmer, ON
Beachy Amish
Renno Group
Byler Group
Alan Group
Davies Group
and on and on.. Some allow gas operated refrigerators, but not gas operated stoves.. Some allow propane gas lanterns, but no other gas appliances.. Some allow motorized washing machines (although not via electricty, but not mechanical refrigerators.. Some allow inside flush toilets, others don't.. Some allow battery operated flashlights, but not battery operated calculators.. Some also gasoline burning irons, other still use the "sad" irons (the ones you heat on the stove)..
Some rent food lockers from places in nearby towns where they can store frozen foods, others have to "can" all of their meat for the coming year.. Wedding feasts vary widely from group to group - as does the attire, how the service is performed, when the bride and groom actually set up housekeeping (in some groups it's not until the spring following their wedding), etc..
In some groups weddings are only performed in November and December - and they must be on a Tuesday or a Thursday.. In others they allow October and January weddings.. Some allow weddings on Wednesdays - but never, ever on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday..
Clothing varies from group to group - order to order - as well.. In some, the main colors are blue, purple, green, and teal blue.. In others it's brown, gray, black, dark blue, or navy blue.. There are variations in patterns for the clothing, as well as the "kapps" and the color of the ties that go under their chins..
In some orders/groups, men can smoke cigars - in others, it's absolutely forbidden.. Some communions offer wine, some grape juice, and some nothing at all.. Some groups offer only the singing of the most serious (long and drawn out) hymns - while others allow hyms that are much livelier.. Some orders even allow harmonicas to be played at the "youth singings" (part of the beginning to court process).. In some groups/orders, a couple that has been "published" (their upsoming marriage announced during church services) are able to hold hands in public from that point on.. In other less traditional orders/groups, couples who are simply "going steady" are allowed to hold hands in public.
The bottom line is that we all seem to have a lot of misconceptions about them - there are numerous accounts of boisterous laughter - both inside the home and out in public; adult and child pranks; jokes that have been handed down for generations and generations; etc. (that go on with even the strictest of orders/groups_ - which flies in the face of what many people believe..
Funny, but I started reading about the Amish "just for fun" - and now it's becoming a full-time hobby.. LOL.. I'm so glad that I have chosen to delve into the "non-fiction" side of this culture though - because it's even more fascinating than any "fiction" author could make it seem to appear..
Now I can hardly wait to order some additional books.. I may even subscribe to the two Amish newspapers that are available - as well as several of their magazines..
I guess you're never too old to learn - or develop an intense interest - in something new - huh?
I've been reading two non-fiction books ("Living Without Electricity" and "The Amish Wedding and Other Special Occasions of Old Order Communities") and my eyes have certainly been opened to all of the differences within the various "orders"..
Some of those mentioned are:
Old Order
New Order
Dover Group
Lancaster (with numerous groups of "Old" and "New" orders)
Nebraska or "White Tops"
Somerset Group
Swartzentruber Group
Andy Weaver Group
Holmes Co. Old Order
Homes Co. New Order
Geauga Co.
Adams Co.
LaGrange Co.
Nappanee, IN
Arthur, IL
Kalona, IA
Buchanan Co., IA
Haven, KA
Milverton, ON
Aylmer, ON
Beachy Amish
Renno Group
Byler Group
Alan Group
Davies Group
and on and on.. Some allow gas operated refrigerators, but not gas operated stoves.. Some allow propane gas lanterns, but no other gas appliances.. Some allow motorized washing machines (although not via electricty, but not mechanical refrigerators.. Some allow inside flush toilets, others don't.. Some allow battery operated flashlights, but not battery operated calculators.. Some also gasoline burning irons, other still use the "sad" irons (the ones you heat on the stove)..
Some rent food lockers from places in nearby towns where they can store frozen foods, others have to "can" all of their meat for the coming year.. Wedding feasts vary widely from group to group - as does the attire, how the service is performed, when the bride and groom actually set up housekeeping (in some groups it's not until the spring following their wedding), etc..
In some groups weddings are only performed in November and December - and they must be on a Tuesday or a Thursday.. In others they allow October and January weddings.. Some allow weddings on Wednesdays - but never, ever on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday..
Clothing varies from group to group - order to order - as well.. In some, the main colors are blue, purple, green, and teal blue.. In others it's brown, gray, black, dark blue, or navy blue.. There are variations in patterns for the clothing, as well as the "kapps" and the color of the ties that go under their chins..
In some orders/groups, men can smoke cigars - in others, it's absolutely forbidden.. Some communions offer wine, some grape juice, and some nothing at all.. Some groups offer only the singing of the most serious (long and drawn out) hymns - while others allow hyms that are much livelier.. Some orders even allow harmonicas to be played at the "youth singings" (part of the beginning to court process).. In some groups/orders, a couple that has been "published" (their upsoming marriage announced during church services) are able to hold hands in public from that point on.. In other less traditional orders/groups, couples who are simply "going steady" are allowed to hold hands in public.
The bottom line is that we all seem to have a lot of misconceptions about them - there are numerous accounts of boisterous laughter - both inside the home and out in public; adult and child pranks; jokes that have been handed down for generations and generations; etc. (that go on with even the strictest of orders/groups_ - which flies in the face of what many people believe..
Funny, but I started reading about the Amish "just for fun" - and now it's becoming a full-time hobby.. LOL.. I'm so glad that I have chosen to delve into the "non-fiction" side of this culture though - because it's even more fascinating than any "fiction" author could make it seem to appear..
Now I can hardly wait to order some additional books.. I may even subscribe to the two Amish newspapers that are available - as well as several of their magazines..
I guess you're never too old to learn - or develop an intense interest - in something new - huh?