The Amish Women

Nice pics Morticia.

Originally posted by Northman Nice pics Morticia. � The Amish family I visited one afternoon last time I was in Pennsylvania, wouldnt allow me to take their picture, and of course I didnt press them too hard. But I'll go there again this october, and maybe get a second chance... However, they didnt mind talking about their views and traditions, and the son�in the family brought the concept of "Bundling" up. He was engaged, and looked forward to have this premartial "bed-experience" arranged with his girlfriend. Bundling:....The young couple are allowed one night together before they are married, but with their clothes on, and ie. sharing a large bed divided down the middle by a big board. � I had never heard of this tradition before, but Amish people are of German inheritage, so maybe its still going on - also in other communities than Amish. Maybe in Europe as well.Apparently its very old (described in the Bible) and from what I have found out, it was widely spread in past times. � If�you or anyone else know more about this tradition - I would like to hear it. � � � �

With regard to the centuries-old "bundling" tradition (which did not originate with the Amish), even though the two spend the night together, it is said that there is an expectation that the two retain their modesty and keep certain body parts covered. They spend the evening together at her home, playing board games, making popcorn or just chatting, with her parents and family present, or later, alone in the living room after the rest of the family has gone to bed. Said tradition came about in an effort to save precious candle wax and fuel. The couple would get into bed, fully dressed, and cover up with a quilt to keep warm as the fire died out in the fireplace or wood-burning stove. While some Amish may know of someone who practiced "bundling" at some point in the past, it's not practiced in the modern day.

Another persisting Amish courtship myth is the "blue door" or "blue gate" story. According to this legend, when an Amish father has daughters of a marriagable age, he paints his door or gate blue to indicate same. However, there is no need for such advertising as the Amish communities are very close-knit, and everyone knows everyone else (or is related to everyone else!). Research indicates the legend may have started in Pennsylvania as long as two centuries ago, when an Amish bishop painted his gate blue, defying custom. Since the bishop happened to have several marriage-eligible daughters, the rumor took hold that he was trying to draw suitors to his home, and the myth took on a life of its own.

Today, courtships among the Amish society vary widely, depending on the parents, the community, the order of Amish, and the young people themselves. Sixteen year old Amish youths (usually the age when Amish teens start dating) are considered to be fairly independent and mature. Amish children are taught from an early age to look for a mate who will make a good life partner and one that will continue in the ways of their ancestors.


    

Edited by morticia - 28-Jun-2006 at 14:03

I've heard the amish have a 'sowing of wild oats' tradition which allows adolecents to go out in the modern world and experience all what is to be had there, (exept sex of course) so that they can then make a honest decision to stay in the community or not. Apparently most of them do return. Is this true? It seems a good thing to me, if it is...

I used to live near Burton, Ohio, which has the msot Amish people in the US, and as Red Clay said, there are many different sects. I have never seen one that rejected modern medicine in the case of an emergency, although I'm sure there are a few sects that do.

I've seen some that reject electricity in their homes and lives 100% (except in case of emergency) and I've seen some that allow their children to put huge music systems in their buggies. I'll never forget all the times I drove past a horse and Buggy that was blasting Rage Against the Machine. For some reason, alot of the Amish teenagers are huge metal fans.

The majority of Amish live in sects that forbid the use of electricity in the home. Many of the communities own large vans and have people who will drive them around. Kind of a way to cheat the system I guess.

Some of the sects also give money to the children when they reach 16, or 18 (depending on the sect) and make them go out and experience the "real" world for a while. They then get to decide whether or not they wish to remain in the Amish lifestyle or not. Almost all of the children remain Amish. I remember reading some studies on them, and they are considered one of the happiest groups in the US.

They don't really pay taxes either. They do most all of their work "under the table." Where I lived, the government always looked the other way. No one cared, and everyone wanted to hire them because they were the best craftsman and house-builders around. something


Edited by Illuminati - 15-Jul-2006 at 03:40

Originally posted by Sparten Pardon my ignorance about the Amish, but do they allow modern medicine in their lives.

Most Mennonite and Amish groups do not oppose modern medicine. Nothing in the Amish understanding of the Bible forbids them from using modern medical services, including surgery, hospitalization, dental work, anesthesia, blood transfusions, etc. They believe that good physical and mental health requires stewardship on the part of the individual and that good health is a gift from God.

    

On October 2nd, 2006, a tragic event occurred in the quiet rural town of Nickle Mines, Pennsylvania in the Amish community. A 32-year old truck driver with a 20-year grudge entered the West Nickel Mines Amish School and, exclusively targeting females, killed five Amish schoolgirls and wounded seven others before killing himself. My heart, prayers and condolences goes out to the victims and their families for such a tragic occurrence in such a peaceful community.

Source: http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/10/03/america/web.1003slay.php


Funeral services held on Oct. 5th for some of the victims.
    
    
    

Edited by morticia - 06-Oct-2006 at 12:59

Originally posted by Hellios Hi morticia, � I also made a thread about the Amish recently, in case you're interested, here it is: http://www.allempires.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=15334 � Regards.

Hi Hellios! Thank you for sharing the thread in the women's history forum. Very interesting discussions!

Regards,

Originally posted by Illuminati I've seen some that allow their children to put huge music systems in their buggies.

That is cool. The ultimate wog-box. I want to buy one of these buggies just to show it off.

I'm wondering why there are so many false rumours about the Amish around? Is it because they don't mix much with non-Amish or is it because people are too afraid to ask the truth?