The story of the Amish community in the United States is rooted in Europe's 16th century
Reformation. This splintering of the Catholic church led to the Anabaptist movement and to the
eventual formation of three similarly conservative spiritual groups. These groups are the Amish,
the Brethren, and the Mennonites. The Amish are the most conservative of the three groups.
The first known Amish families to immigrate to the United States were the Detweiler and
Sieber families, in the mid-18th century. They settled in Pennsylvania and then began
establishing Amish communities in Berks County. Several waves of Amish immigrants followed and
formed communities throughout Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. By 2011,
Amish communities were present in 28 states and the estimated number was upwards of 261,000.
To many outsiders, the Amish are often thought of as a singular group. However,
they have several different orders and numerous subgroups.
Although all of the Amish orders and subgroups adhere to certain principles,
including living a "plain" life, some are considerably more progressive than others.
Each community outlines its specific rules in its Ordnung, which is an
oral or written set of rules and standards. In addition to general rules of conduct, the Ordnung
also contains rules about more specific things, including allowable clothing and hairstyles.
In most communities, the Ordnung is reviewed twice each year and modified when it’s deemed necessary.
However, once established, rules are rarely changed without intense discussion and debate.
However, these rules are not taken directly from the Bible but are based on biblical values.
Although each Amish community has a different Ordnung,
a vast majority of the Ordnungs include several basic rules.
These rules state that all Amish people must wear plain clothing. Married men must wear a hat and a
vest and grow a full beard. Women must keep their hair pinned up and must cover their hair with
a bonnet. Women must also wear dresses, which often include an apron and some sort of cape.
Jewelry and any other type of ornaments on the clothing or on the body are prohibited.
"This is where I put my makeup so my mom won't find it."
The Amish are forbidden from owning cameras, computers, radios, and televisions.
They are also forbidden from owning an automobile or gas-driven farm machinery,
and they are prohibited from using electricity in their homes or on their land.
They are also prohibited from getting a divorce, joining the military, joining
public organizations, or filing a lawsuit and must speak a German or Swiss dialect.
"There is so much fun stuff that I want to do. So many things I want to see."
They are also not allowed to attend high school or college.
They must vow to follow all the rules and regulations of their community's
Ordnung during their baptism. They also agree and acknowledge
that failure to adhere to the rules may result in discipline or excommunication.
Although these basic principles are included in all Ordnungs,
they are often modified to fit a specific community's needs.
In Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, for example, some communities allow members
to use propane stoves and refrigerators. Others allow battery-powered appliances and lawnmowers.
The Ordnung for the Amish community of Stevensville,
Montana, specifies that their members are not allowed to wear any bright colors.
Their community prohibits orange, pink, red, and yellow clothing in particular.
They also prohibit coats and sweatshirts. The sleeves on women's and girls' clothing must be
long and have elastic at the cuffs. The clothing must fit loosely, and no ruffles are allowed.
Although they are allowed to ride bicycles, the Stevensville, Montana Amish community
can only use them for "necessary travel." The Ordnung also specifies that the buggies must be
"plain" without any decorative embellishments or lights, other than those required by law.
In general, so-called New Order Amish communities are more likely to have more liberal rules in
their Ordnungs. These communities are more likely to allow telephones in the home, allow men to trim
their beards, and to allow their members to travel by airplane. They also allow their members to
have rubber tires and more embellishments on their buggies. New Order Amish communities are also more
likely to be open to contact with "outsiders," who are often welcomed to their church services.
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