A Protestant group (Anabaptists) living without electricity, cars, or modern technology. Founded by Jakob Ammann in 1693 in Switzerland.
About 400,000, nearly all in the US. Population doubles every 20 years.
Electricity ties to the power grid (world dependency) and opens the path to TV, internet, consumerism.
No. Cars allow living far from community, weakening bonds. They use buggies.
Theoretically yes. Practically near impossible: must learn Pennsylvania Dutch, live in community 1-2 years, accept baptism. Handful in history.
Yes. For serious illness, they visit regular doctors and hospitals. Community pays.
Not at home. Many communities allow a barn phone (for business). Smartphones forbidden.
Identical clothing = no vanity, equality before God, community belonging.
Yes — income, property, sales. Don't pay Social Security (exempt since 1965).
Homegrown food: meat, vegetables, bread, dairy, pies. 90% from their own farm. High-calorie (farmer burns 4,000-5,000 kcal/day).
Officially no. In practice some (especially during Rumspringa) drink beer. Communion wine doesn't count.
Some communities allow tobacco (tradition, Pennsylvania = tobacco state). Others forbid it.
Yes, but only 30-40 surnames for everyone. Miller, Yoder, Troyer, Stoltzfus cover 80%.
Most don't. Believe they shouldn't participate in worldly government. But law doesn't forbid it.
No. Pacifists. Exempt as conscientious objectors. During wars — alternative service.
Beard = married man. Mustaches forbidden (associated with military in the 18th century).
No. Photography = creating an image = violating the commandment. Posing is sinful. Tourist snapshots — tolerated.
No. Internet = end of community (pornography, consumerism, alienation). Strictest prohibition.
Table: $1,500-5,000. Chair: $300-800. Cabinet: $2,000-8,000. Handmade, oak/cherry/maple, lasts 100+ years.
Research shows: life satisfaction among the highest in America. Depression 5x lower.
Before baptism — leave freely. After — Meidung (shunning). 10-15% leave, 85-90% stay.
They endure them. Dislike photography and privacy invasion. But don't protest — Gelassenheit.
Yes, one-room, 8 grades, teacher aged 18-22. Supreme Court upheld the right in 1972 (Wisconsin v. Yoder).
Some communities — yes (for charging lanterns, not home). Each community decides individually.
Period (16-22) when a teen may try worldly life. 85-90% return and accept baptism.
Sometimes when traveling. Prefer homemade food. No restaurants in their own community.
A few in Canada (Ontario). Attempts in South America failed. No Amish in Europe since ~1900.
Visit regular dentists. Community pays. Some (older communities) prefer extraction over treatment — cheaper.
Informally — yes. Baseball, volleyball, ice skating in winter. No organized sports or competition (competition = pride).
7 children per family, 85-90% stay. Doubling every 20 years. By 2050 — a million. Fastest-growing group in America.