The Amish

This page contains a number of observations about the Amish pulled from the Pennsylvania books. Numbers are location references to the Kindle edition.

Amish abjure mirrors because they promote vanity.
“His people didn’t generally believe in having mirrors around the house.” (487)

Amish don’t believe in luck; blessings from God guide their paths.
“Blessed, not lucky.” (2236)

Amish forbid representing God’s creations in images.
“Because creating images of anything God had made was forbidden.” (2131)

Amish are extremely individualistic
“He saw a people who’d determined that they would define themselves rather than have their reality and culture defined by the times.” (3874)

Amish principles
“Though they weren’t at all hesitant to make use of advanced medical care when it was available, and when it fit with their overall worldview, the Amish generally relied on common sense, intensive personal attention to the sick or injured, and prayer, more than they ever relied on some system devised by the English.”

“…a sense of obligation to care for one another.”

“…overwhelmingly optimistic people”

“…not particularly inclusive.’ (4090, 4105)

Amish try to keep decisions simple, uncomplicated.
Double-mindedness is frowned upon in Amish society (1716)

Amish bedroom
Bed—ropes stretched across the wooden frame to serve as springs supporting 5 boards, planed smooth, piled with lamb’s fleece. No other furniture, save for pegs set into the wall. Single fat lamp for light. (2691)

Amish house
Cooking and lighting provided by propane or natural gas; no closets (clothes hung on pegs). (3658)

Death viewed as a stage in life.
“Death in the Amish world was structured, ordered, systematic. Even when an unexpected accident took the lives of the young—maybe a buggy overturned, or a boy fell under a plow—there was a system to things. Everyone was on the same side, and all played their parts. Death was considered a stage of life, and it was integrated into the system in a way that left no room for confusion or doubt.” (934)

Expression of Amish community/kinship
“To the Amish, a barn-raising is more a time of great fellowship than a time of work. To the outsiders, it can be almost a spiritual experience.”

“The Amish, therefore, are invested in one another. They are not strangers; they are family.’ (4779, 4784)