The Amish reject modernity primarily to uphold their deeply rooted religious beliefs, preserve community cohesion, and maintain a distinct way of life separate from worldly influences. Their selective approach to technology and modern conveniences is guided by principles of humility, simplicity, and a strong emphasis on community and faith.
Core Reasons for Rejecting Modernity
The Amish community's stance on modern technologies and lifestyles is not a blanket rejection, but rather a discerning process based on how these innovations impact their spiritual and communal values.
1. Preservation of Faith and Values
The primary motivation for the Amish is to safeguard their religious identity and values. They believe that many aspects of modernity, particularly mass media technology, can introduce foreign values that conflict with their traditional beliefs. These values are perceived as promoting individualism, consumerism, and secularism, which run counter to their emphasis on humility, community, and spiritual devotion.
2. Strengthening Community Bonds
Community is central to Amish life. Technologies that foster greater mobility, such as cars, are seen as a threat because they could pull the community apart, eroding local ties. By enabling members to travel further and more frequently, cars might reduce reliance on local support networks and interactions. In contrast, horse-and-buggy transportation keeps the community anchored in its local geographical base, fostering closer relationships and interdependence among neighbors. This deliberate choice reinforces the strong social fabric essential to their way of life.
3. Maintaining Simplicity and Humility
Amish tenets often promote a humble, unostentatious existence. Many modern conveniences are viewed as promoting pride, envy, or an unnecessary focus on material possessions, diverting attention from spiritual matters and community service. They prefer to live simply, working with their hands and valuing self-sufficiency.
4. Separation from the "World"
A fundamental aspect of Amish faith is the concept of "Gelassenheit" (submission or yielding to God's will) and maintaining separation from the "world" (non-Amish society). This separation helps them resist assimilation into mainstream culture, which they believe could dilute their religious practices and communal distinctiveness. Their unique appearance, language, and lifestyle choices are visible manifestations of this commitment.
Selective Adoption of Technology
It's important to note that the Amish do not reject all new technologies. Instead, they evaluate each innovation based on its potential impact on their community and religious principles. Technologies that serve practical purposes without undermining their core values may be adopted, often in modified forms. For example, some communities might use gas-powered engines for farm equipment but not own personal automobiles.
The decision-making process for adopting or rejecting technology typically involves community consensus, guided by the elders and the Ordnung (their unwritten code of conduct).
Examples of Technology Choices
| Technology Type | Modern Society Approach | Amish Approach | Reason for Amish Choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transportation | Cars, air travel, trains | Horse-and-buggy, bicycles, walking | Maintains local ties, limits outside influence, avoids pride. As noted on the Elizabethtown College website, greater mobility from cars would "pull the community apart, eroding local ties," whereas horse-and-buggy travel "keeps the community anchored in its local geographical base." |
| Communication | Smartphones, internet, TV | Face-to-face, letters, community phone shanties | Prevents "foreign values" from entering the home, fosters direct interaction, limits distractions. |
| Electricity | Public grid connection | Battery, generator, propane, solar | Maintains independence from the "world," avoids excessive entertainment and luxury, and supports community cohesion over individual convenience. |
| Education | Public schools, higher education | One-room Amish schools (up to 8th grade) | Reinforces Amish values, prepares children for community life, limits exposure to secular influences. |
For more in-depth information on how Amish communities manage technology, you can explore resources like the Amish Studies at Elizabethtown College.
By carefully considering each aspect of modernity, the Amish strive to preserve a way of life that prioritizes faith, family, and community above all else, ensuring the continuation of their unique cultural heritage for future generations.
