In my last post I referenced sometimes wishing I was Amish. At the time I was writing I was a little sad about the Tony Stewart incident. I should have elaborated on the Amish bit.
I am a reader. I love to read. I will read just about anything you put in front of me. I have recently started reading Beverly Lewis novels. She grew up in Lancaster County, PA and her father was a Pastor. She writes many novels based around the Amish life. I grew up a couple of hours from Lancaster and was familiar with the Amish. But, I spent almost the last two years much closer to them. I lived within a couple of miles. I became fascinated.
So it was only natural that in due time I would start reading her novels. How can you not be fascinated by people that don't use modern technology in today's world? We take it for granted. There are so many advancements in technology that we benefit from, but there are also many that harm us in the long run. If I had to I could live without a lot of it. I do remember life before cell phones and the internet. I managed to graduate college without either. I remember life before cable TV. We lived. Now I would not really like to give up air conditioning and treadmills, but if I had to I could. Modern refrigeration might be tough.
There's so much more to the Amish community that fascinates us than technology. The practice of Shunning and Excommunication is hard for most of us to understand. It's not an option for most of us. But, that's also how it is with understanding different cultures. It's difficult when it's not something you practice.
The idea of shunning is completely strange to me, but then again to be so set in beliefs and have such a strong sense of faith is nice to me. We live in a country where people profess to believe in God, but they don't always live like they do. We live in a country of freedom. We have the freedom to do almost anything we want. We are encouraged to embrace our individualism ad nurture our talents and desires. There is nothing wrong with that. It is wonderful. So to see a culture of people who have such a strict way of living is hard to understand. Everything from their clothing to their gender specific roles to their simpler life is hard for so many to grasp. I struggle with the gender roles, but I also understand that it is their culture.
Theirs is a community of faith, love, and help. They are peace loving. They come together to take care of each other in a time of need. Regardless of how they feel about each other. They are taught to forgive. They forgive even the most unspeakable acts. After the Amish Schoolhouse Massacre the world saw first hand the act of forgiveness. It's powerful.
They believe that the modern world is full of distractions. It's hard to argue that. I am a Christian. And yet how many times have I lost hours or days playing on the computer or watching marathons of pointless television shows? We are constantly bombarded with Fame and Fortune. It changes people's priorities. I could go the rest of my life without watching another Reality show and be a better person. Our society glorifies fame and money. It's easy to forget what's really important. People tend to worship money and things instead of God. I guess things would be different if God had his own Reality show.
It's hard to say which is the better way of life. I think I am a little too headstrong and individualistic to be defined by my gender, but I wouldn't mind a more simpler life to focus on what really matters. All that matters is honoring God. It's refreshing to read about people who prioritize their life around God. I am not sure that I could adjust to that way of life full time, but I wouldn't mind an Amish vacation.
*****
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
-Proverbs 1:7
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