? (ritual, reject, choice, spiritual, Biblically)

[Arrow]

Okay so i have an actual question.

quote: "The Amish are a denomination of Anabaptists and a branch of Mennonites noted for their restricted use of modern devices such as automobiles and electricity. The Amish are a tight-knit cultural and ethnic group, descending from a few hundred German and Swiss immigrants and speaking a distinctive High German dialect (Deitsch or "Pennsylvania Dutch)." (Amish are one group of the "Pennsylvania Dutch," who are of primarily German, not Dutch, descent.)"

Biblically speaking, why would you choose to live without technology?
I am trying to understand where other people come from and this is one of things that i just cannot seem to get my head around.

Thanks for your input,
Arrow

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by Arrow

Okay so i have an actual question.

quote: "The Amish are a denomination of Anabaptists and a branch of Mennonites noted for their restricted use of modern devices such as automobiles and electricity. The Amish are a tight-knit cultural and ethnic group, descending from a few hundred German and Swiss immigrants and speaking a distinctive High German dialect (Deitsch or "Pennsylvania Dutch)." (Amish are one group of the "Pennsylvania Dutch," who are of primarily German, not Dutch, descent.)"

Biblically speaking, why would you choose to live without technology?
I am trying to understand where other people come from and this is one of things that i just cannot seem to get my head around.

Thanks for your input,
Arrow

I can't quote you any specific verses, Arrow, but I suspect that the Amish' choice to live without technology and modern conveniences is based upon a desire to remain in the world, but not of the world. They are probably just attempting to focus on the spiritual, and find it easier to do when not tempted by so many of the "things" our materialistic society tells us we must have in order to be happy.

[Booko]

Originally Posted by Arrow

Okay so i have an actual question.

quote: "The Amish are a denomination of Anabaptists and a branch of Mennonites noted for their restricted use of modern devices such as automobiles and electricity. The Amish are a tight-knit cultural and ethnic group, descending from a few hundred German and Swiss immigrants and speaking a distinctive High German dialect (Deitsch or "Pennsylvania Dutch)." (Amish are one group of the "Pennsylvania Dutch," who are of primarily German, not Dutch, descent.)"

Biblically speaking, why would you choose to live without technology?
I am trying to understand where other people come from and this is one of things that i just cannot seem to get my head around.

Thanks for your input,
Arrow

Hey, we actually have an Amish section?

Uh...were we expecting any Amish to show up and speak to us?

Anyway, the couple of Biblical references I remember hearing are:

2 Cor 6:17 "Come out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord."

Rom 12:2 "And be ye not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

(Incidentally, the 2 Cor 6:17 verse is quoted in the movie "Witness." Not that Hollywood movies prove anything. )

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by Booko

Rom 12:2 "And be ye not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

That was probably the verse that was stuck in the back of my mind.

[Tigress]

Originally Posted by Arrow

quote: "The Amish are a denomination of Anabaptists and a branch of Mennonites noted for their restricted use of modern devices such as automobiles and electricity. The Amish are a tight-knit cultural and ethnic group, descending from a few hundred German and Swiss immigrants and speaking a distinctive High German dialect (Deitsch or "Pennsylvania Dutch)." (Amish are one group of the "Pennsylvania Dutch," who are of primarily German, not Dutch, descent.)"

Biblically speaking, why would you choose to live without technology?
I am trying to understand where other people come from and this is one of things that i just cannot seem to get my head around.

II Corinthians 6:14, II Corinthians 6:17, and Romans 12:2 cite the reasons for which the Amish choose to live with little modern technology. They live simply, accepting only what is needed. Power lines are an unnecessary connection to the 'English' way of life. Any electrical power needed is provided via battery, usually no larger than a 12 volt.

[MidnightBlue]

Originally Posted by Arrow

Biblically speaking, why would you choose to live without technology?

They don't. They may have telephones, though if they do it's more likely to be out in the yard than inside the house. They may have kerosene refrigerators or any number of modern conveniences, including battery-powered small appliances. The very most "liberal" ones, the Beachy Amish, may even drive cars, and the others may ride in cars or buses occasionally. The point is not the rejection of the technology, but the rejection of "the world" and minimizing contact with outsiders as much as possible.

[Booko]

Originally Posted by MidnightBlue

They don't. They may have telephones, though if they do it's more likely to be out in the yard than inside the house. They may have kerosene refrigerators or any number of modern conveniences, including battery-powered small appliances. The very most "liberal" ones, the Beachy Amish, may even drive cars, and the others may ride in cars or buses occasionally. The point is not the rejection of the technology, but the rejection of "the world" and minimizing contact with outsiders as much as possible.

And wherever there is an Amish community, there's usually an essenhaus (restaurant). They're required by law to have certain technological things as a matter of public health, so they do.