The Amish Community: the Effects of Subsistence on Aspects of a Culture
The Amish Community: The Effects of Subsistence on Aspects of a Culture
Tristin Bovee
ANT 101
Ilda Jimenez y West
October 29, 2012
The Amish Community:
The Effects of Subsistence on Aspects of a Culture Any person who observes an Amish community may catch a glimpse of a lifestyle that looks as if it adheres to no modicum of logic. Why would a whole group of people choose to live without the technology that makes life so much easier? The answer is simple and uncomplicated; cultural preservation. The Amish are culturally aware of themselves, and as such have put forth the effort to sustain their traditions and way of life for hundreds of years (Kraybill, 2001). The further technology advances in the world outside of the Amish community, the broader the Amish lifestyle becomes from the modern American culture amongst which they live. However, if the Amish belief system is viewed from an anthropological perspective, their values and reasoning is much more understandable to modern thinkers. There are many different sects of the Amish belief system but for the sake of simplicity, this paper will concentrate on the Old Order Amish. The Amish faith sprung out of traditional Protestantism in the sixteenth century. Then referred to as Anabaptists, the Amish believed that baptism should not occur in children or infants, but only in adults that can make the decision for themselves (Kraybill, 2001). They also called for a separation between church and state, and a return to literal interpretation of the bible. Suffering extreme persecution for their beliefs, the Amish fled to northern Europe to escape harsh treatment from authorities and religious leaders alike (Fischetti, 1997). While living in these remote regions, the Amish grew dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. Agriculture has been the primary mode of Amish life ever since. Many Amish beliefs today are stemmed from their subsistence strategy of emerging agriculture.
Body
The most widely known
Tristin Bovee
ANT 101
Ilda Jimenez y West
October 29, 2012
The Amish Community:
The Effects of Subsistence on Aspects of a Culture Any person who observes an Amish community may catch a glimpse of a lifestyle that looks as if it adheres to no modicum of logic. Why would a whole group of people choose to live without the technology that makes life so much easier? The answer is simple and uncomplicated; cultural preservation. The Amish are culturally aware of themselves, and as such have put forth the effort to sustain their traditions and way of life for hundreds of years (Kraybill, 2001). The further technology advances in the world outside of the Amish community, the broader the Amish lifestyle becomes from the modern American culture amongst which they live. However, if the Amish belief system is viewed from an anthropological perspective, their values and reasoning is much more understandable to modern thinkers. There are many different sects of the Amish belief system but for the sake of simplicity, this paper will concentrate on the Old Order Amish. The Amish faith sprung out of traditional Protestantism in the sixteenth century. Then referred to as Anabaptists, the Amish believed that baptism should not occur in children or infants, but only in adults that can make the decision for themselves (Kraybill, 2001). They also called for a separation between church and state, and a return to literal interpretation of the bible. Suffering extreme persecution for their beliefs, the Amish fled to northern Europe to escape harsh treatment from authorities and religious leaders alike (Fischetti, 1997). While living in these remote regions, the Amish grew dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. Agriculture has been the primary mode of Amish life ever since. Many Amish beliefs today are stemmed from their subsistence strategy of emerging agriculture.
Body
The most widely known
References: Donnermeyer, J. F., & Friedrich, L. (2002). Amish society : An overview reconsidered. Journal of Multicultural Nursing & Health, 8(3), 14. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/220297959?accountid=32521 Fischetti, P. R. (1997). The Amish. Washington, United States: Educational Extension Systems. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/189310852?accountid=32521 Kraybill, D. B. (2001). Riddle of Amish Culture (Revised Ed.). Baltimore, MD, USA: John Hopkins Univeristy Press. Retrieved from http://site.ebrary.com/lib/ashford/docDetail.action?docID=10021650&ppg=2 Marlow, E. (1996). Teaching about another culture : The Old Order Amish. The Social Studies, 87(4), 161. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/274834778?accountid=32521 Nowak, B., & Laird, P. (2010). Cultural Anthropology. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/books/AUANT101.10.2/sections/ch00