I visited an Amish community a few years ago--some of their crafts make it worth the trip. I almost bought a book about them, because I can't figure out what is allowed and what isn't. No "modern" tools, equipment, etc. but just how "primitive" does it have to be to be accepted? Washing clothes in a tub, but with Tide detergent, didn't make any sense to me. They had machines in the buggy shop, just old ones. I unintentionally made one fellow mad--he shot me a look like he wanted to nail me, and I'm not convinced he wouldn't have if I hadn't been about twice his size. There was a compound bow with a pendulum sight hanging in one shop, which caught my interest, and we started talking about bowhunting. I (jokingly) told him I shot a longbow myself, because I didn't care for all that "modern" stuff. That's when he looked at me like he wanted to hit me--it very obviously ticked him off in a big way. Go figure.........
Minonites, that I have been around, don't go quite the the same extreme. They will work in jobs outside the community, and will drive. The ones I have seen weren't restricted to black vehicles, just no chrome, plain black tires, etc. Any chrome that couldn't be removed was painted to match the truck. Amish will catch a ride, but not drive--don't understand that either.
One other curiosity--I was told that Amish doctors take an oath to never accept compensation for their services. For this reason, it's in their best interest to get the patient well as quickly as possible, as they have to work another job to make a living. I've heard of folks driving a long way to see an Amish doc, because they get fixed quick. Don't know if that is fact, as I didn't see it first hand but was just told about it.
I have seen quite a few of both at archery tournaments though, so they can't be all bad.
Chad
What's up with the Amish?
