The History of the Amish and Their Unique Way of Life

By | February 21, 2019

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Amish Horse and Buggy. Source: (exploreminnesota.com)

The Amish people and their way of life may seem to be a bit too strict, particularly with modern society today; but the history and culture of the Amish is really quite fascinating. The simplicity of their ways actually leads to less stressful lives than those who live in a fast-paced society that requires so much time and attention. An example of the slow pace of the Amish is that their only means of transportation is the horse and buggy; therefore, there is no getting in a hurry to be someplace. 

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Protestant Reformation. Source: (wikipedia.org)

Origin of the Amish

The Amish go back as far as the 16th century during the Protestant Reformation. There was a group of craftsmen and students in Switzerland who grew weary of the long drawn out progress of reform. They believed that the Christian way of life was completely based on the Bible and that there should be a separation between church and state. During that time, church and state authorities considered this belief as a threat and were determined to be rid of them which is when the persecution of the Amish began. Many of them perished because of their non-violent belief system.