We were in Dairy Queen in Belleville last summer when two men, one in coveralls and the other with suspendered trousers, both with brimmed straw hats, came in for a cone. Some teens started sniggering and commenting among themselves about what they felt was odd dress. Like teen boys don't know anything about baggy pants. I knew right away that they were Mennonites or Amish --either that or right off a movie set. I had no idea that folk from these Anabaptist groups resided in this area. Shortly after this incident I was standing next to a similarly dressed young guy at a street corner and asked if he was Mennonite. He smiled and answered "Amish." Apparently there are a number of Amish farms in the Sterling area, about 45 minutes north of Belleville. I have since learned that there are Mennonites ever closer to town. And I always thought they were concentrated in Southwestern Ontario. I live and hopefully I learn.
These groups have their roots in bloody persecution around the time of Martin Luther. They believed and still believe in what is often called "believer baptism" rather than infant baptism. Today that is an individual faith choice. A few hundred years ago it could get you and your family killed. Many fled Europe for religious freedom. Somehow religious identity continued to include rather archaic dress codes for some, and eschewing modern conveniences such as cars, motorized farm equipment, even electricity and phones.
There is pressure on these communities, especially in American states such as Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Dutch are actually Deutsch, of German extraction. All things Amish are part of what is now a huge commercial enterprise, nearing two billion dollars a year. The Amish farm country is like a theme park for tourists, with groups from around the world visiting and actually stopping for planned visits to Amish homes and farms. Of course we have all seen the incongruous neon signs for Amish Furniture in places where no Amish foot has ever trod.
I was emailed an interesting article about the effects of this invasion and appropriation of Amish life. Even the most segregated faith communities are subject to the pressures of the prevailing culture.
http://www.ozy.com/fast-forward/the-amish-are-looking-for-a-new-home/31512.article?utm_source=O2&utm_medium=email_outreach&utm_campaign=email_outreach
Do you admire the chosen simplicity of the Amish/Mennonites, or are they just odd? Have you gone on one of those Amish country tours? Members of my family have and really enjoyed them. Do you think Harrison Ford in the movie Witness was an accurate portrayal of Amish life? Kidding!
Growing up in the KW area, the Amish presence was a fairly regular experience. They frequented the weekend farmer's markets as vendors. In Waterloo they used to have stables for their horses and carriages.
ReplyDeleteI understand the interest that people can have regarding their choice in living. However, I also can appreciate how intrusive it must feel to have a lineup of gawking tourists checking you out during the summer months.
I think that Amish community life can be a very legitimate expression of faithful Christian living and should be respected as such. How we relate to one another could be an exploration for future efforts.
They are also pretty shrewd business people. I went on a tour of one in Sask, and the next thing I know, I had purchased about 12 dozen eggs!
ReplyDeleteWe "modern" people could learn quite a few lessons from the Amish, I believe.
ReplyDeleteThanks all. We could certainly learn about keeping our wardrobe decisions simple!
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