Amish Research Paper

Title Imagine a life without modern technology: no cars, televisions, internet; a life without tools one uses every day. Imagine a world where instead one drives buggies and knits for entertainment, a world so cut off that it seems stuck in time. Although it may be hard to believe, the Amish live what would be considered a modern-day taboo. They feel that through these limitations humility will be reached; that through remaining separate from the rest of the world, both physically and socially, they will be brought closer to their faith. The Amish have a strong mindset that association with those outside their culture (often called “the English”) will cause pollution to their ideals. However, once an Amish child reaches the age of sixteen, …show more content…
Consequently, they will only selectively use modern technologies. The Amish believe that using lanterns and the buggies typifies their lifestyle of simplicity and modesty. Any technology that does not uphold their simplistic principles is banned from use. Electricity is seen as a connection with the outside world and violates the Amish principle of separation from society. Electricity also promotes the use of household items, such as the television, that allow the outside, "English," values of sloth, luxury, and vanity to infiltrate the household. They did not make this decision because they thought electricity was evil in itself, but because easy access to it could lead to many temptations and the deterioration of church and family life. Other technologies are also seen as a threat to their simplicity, such as cars. Automobiles are not often used because they degrade the principle of a small, close-knit community. The ability of larger boarders frightens the Amish and they distress that it will degrade their ideologies allowing members to associate too frequently with the English world. They fear, with good reason, that these modern transportation technologies will cause them to spread apart, much like most modern American families. The Amish have the mindset that the automobile will promote competition among themselves. They worry that the car will become a status symbol and promote vanity, which …show more content…
Instead of taking a carriage or walking to a friend's house, the Amish feel that they would be tempted to simply stay home and speak on the phone. The Amish community has adopts certain amenities such as cellphones. The Amish keep their phones in the household shanty. Through this, there is hope that a ringing phone will not interrupt a conversation. Phones are looked down upon in some communities, however, and are only permitted for the use of calling doctors, vets, and suppliers. The cellphone is also convenient in keeping away the need for power lines with is believe to not be in the best interest of the community. Instead of electricity, the Amish use batteries and generators. While electricity is thought to make one idle, these are not because batteries die and do not last long and generators need to be monitored and