Christian Communal Preservation

Separatism. Otherworldliness, non-conformity based on Biblical teachings in Romans 12:1-2 and II Cor. 6:14. This pervades the entire lifestyle of the Amish (dress, language, work, travel and education).

Simple Life. Simplicity and humility (demut) are stressed in Amish community. Education and training is limited to elementary levels. Amish warn of the "pagan" philosophy and the intellectual enterprise of "fallen man." Historically, they avoid all training associated with self exaltation, pride of position, enjoyment of power and the art of war and violence.
Family Life. Amish marry Amish. No intermarriage is allowed. Divorce is not permitted and separation is very rare. They are strictly monogamous and generally patriarchal. Sex roles are clearly defined. The average family size is 7-8 children. Homosexuality is not recognized as an acceptable lifestyle.
Harmony with the soil and nature. Manual labor is good (Amish have little regard for labor-saving devices). Hard work and thriftiness are virtues. Amish believe that God is pleased when people work in harmony with nature, the soil, the weather and care of animals and plants. Amish always live in rural community. By contrast, the city is viewed as a center of leisure, non-productive spending, and often as the stage for evil and wickedness.
Mutual Assistance. Amish do not survive outside of community. There is much neighboring in the community, and helping each other is the most common way of socializing. They carry no life or property insurance; the church assists in cases of major loss. Large families generally give assurance of care for the elderly. Only rarely do Amish retire to places other than the dawdyhaus, a small house built next to the main farm house. Retired Amish farmers do not receive Social Security.
Disciplined Church Community. Discipline in the Amish community can be sometimes harsh and uncompromising. Baptized members are morally committed to church rules. Erring members are generally excommunicated and shunned until there is forgiveness and restoration to full fellowship. The Mennonite Historical Library located on the campus of Goshen College contains approximately 45,000 volumes, an unrivaled collection of Anabaptistica and Mennonitica that includes substantial source materials on the Amish, on family genealogies, local history, and Pennsylvania Dutch culture.

Pasted from <http://www.goshen.edu/~lonhs/SamYoder.html>