Explaining the Amish Way of Life - VOA Story
BackNot far from the hustle and bustle of city life live the Amish of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. These deeply religious people shun the conveniences of modern society to live a simpler life where transportation is a horse and buggy and horsepower really means horsepower.
The Amish are very devout and take seriously the biblical commands to separate themselves from the things of the world including electricity. Power comes from propane, kerosene, wood, coal, or natural gas.
As the world around the peaceful farmland changes, so have some of the traditions of the Amish. Transportation is no longer limited to horse-drawn buggies. "There is a division among the Amish over the automobile. One group got automobiles, another group kept the horse and buggy. we just simply name them old order -- drive the horse and buggy, and the new order -- drive the automobiles. They have electric, they have meeting houses and they don't have green shades."
But many traditions remain. Amish children attend one-room schoolhouses through grade eight and farming is the mainstay of Amish life. There are normally two horses on a farm for buggies. Several mules are kept for farming. Milking is one of the most important sources of income on the farm.
Many Amish leaders believe their separation from the outside world strengthens their community. And that community is thriving. Despite what many on the outside would describe as a backwards lifestyle, the Amish population in Lancaster County has almost tripled over the past half century.
Channel: Travel & Events
Uploaded: August 16, 2007 at 9:32 pm
Author: MyEarbot
Length: 00:03:33
Rating: 4.64
Views: 103867
Tags: Lancaster Amish
Video Comments:
cdltpx (January 5, 2009 at 12:39 am)
I wanted to learn about Amish tech now that sounds like an oxymoron x squared but they use antique means to accomplish that which has been abandonded by the English. We are not so superior if you think on the order of independence all we need is a solar storm and we loose all our electronics in turn electricity we need to learn how to live without JIC we are challenged to do so. All should know how to purify water grow some grub catch fish hunt for game if you dont you are just another in want.
vicecla (January 3, 2009 at 11:36 am)
yes, your.
gejunot (January 3, 2009 at 1:30 pm)
no more like yours
picobyte (January 2, 2009 at 2:21 pm)
They use mechanics, why not use electricity?
Basicly the same thing!
Basicly the same thing!
cdltpx (January 5, 2009 at 12:32 am)
They are incorrect in saying that they don't use electricity some have to by law to keep milk temperatures within health code limits. Look at it this way they dont want any ties to the world by means of a wire so those that have the refrigeration by means of electricity they do so with diesel generators. A lot of their tech is pnuematic some use solar since this is not attached to a wire to the world. The library has books on their life I had to interlibry loan mine but they were worth the wait.
lablover959 (January 2, 2009 at 8:57 am)
I LOVE the Amish!
thekillerlama (December 31, 2008 at 1:40 pm)
I like thier huge wheel chairs pulled by horses. I hate lazy crippled people.
Odd6969 (December 31, 2008 at 2:14 am)
Yeah that would suck.. No electronics and wearing the same clothes and those stupid hates :S
senyumbenci (December 29, 2008 at 2:19 pm)
get a real fucking life u stupid amish
horta85 (January 7, 2009 at 1:15 am)
I guess your life must be more fulfilling lol
Rat race, chances are your a tool of the media, victim of society! Ya your the man alright!
Rat race, chances are your a tool of the media, victim of society! Ya your the man alright!