The Amish community is known for their simple living, plain dress, and reluctance to adopt modern technology. Their lifestyle is rooted in their religious beliefs and commitment to community values, which influence what they are permitted to use and what they avoid. Understanding what the Amish are allowed to use offers insight into their culture, faith, and daily life, highlighting their desire to live in accordance with their spiritual principles while maintaining a distinct separation from mainstream society.
Basic Principles Behind Amish Usage of Tools and Technology
The Amish believe that technology can interfere with their spiritual life and community cohesion. Their guidelines are based on the principle of *Gelassenheit*, or submission to God's will, and the desire to live a life of humility, simplicity, and separation from worldly influences. Consequently, their acceptance of certain tools and technologies is selective, often based on whether these items support their values or hinder their spiritual and communal life.
What Are The Amish Allowed To Use?
- Transportation: Horses and Buggies
- Communication: Limited use of phones (primarily landlines in the barn or community)
- Household Items: Non-electric tools and appliances, such as manual tools and kerosene lamps
- Work Tools and Farming Equipment: Horse-drawn plows, hand tools, and gas-powered equipment where permitted
- Clothing and Textiles: Handmade or plain fabric clothing, often made within the community
- Recreation and Education: Bicycles, board games, and community-based activities
Transportation: Horses and Buggies
The primary mode of transportation for the Amish is the horse-drawn buggy or wagon. They avoid using motorized vehicles because they believe that automobiles promote individualism and independence, which can undermine community cohesion and spiritual humility. Amish buggies are simple, often black, and lack modern features like electronic lights, adhering to their standards of modesty and simplicity.
For longer distances or emergencies, some Amish communities may permit the use of motorized vehicles, but this is generally discouraged and subject to community rules.
Communication: Limited Use of Phones
The Amish are cautious about modern communication devices because they can lead to distraction and weaken community bonds. Many Amish homes do not have direct access to the internet or cell phones. Instead, they may have landlines located in a central location, such as a barn or a community phone booth, which they use sparingly. In some communities, members are allowed to own cell phones but keep them strictly for work-related purposes, often kept hidden from other community members to avoid temptation.
They believe that maintaining face-to-face communication and personal relationships is vital for their spiritual health and community life.
Household Items and Appliances
The Amish prefer non-electric tools and appliances to avoid reliance on electricity, which they associate with worldly influence. Common household items include:
- Manual tools such as hand-cranked mixers, butter churns, and garden tools
- Kerosene lamps or candles for lighting
- Wood-burning stoves for cooking and heating
- Mechanical washing machines or washboards instead of electric washers
They often craft or source these items within their community, emphasizing self-sufficiency and simplicity.
Work Tools and Farming Equipment
Farming is central to Amish life, and they utilize tools and equipment that are often manual or horse-drawn. Examples include:
- Horse-drawn plows and wagons
- Hand saws, axes, and other manual tools for carpentry and construction
- Gas-powered equipment is sometimes permitted if it is not electric and does not promote dependence on modern technology
While some communities may permit the use of gas-powered machinery for farming, they generally avoid electric-powered equipment to adhere to their principles of simplicity and separation from the modern world.
Clothing and Textiles
The Amish are known for their plain dress, which is made within the community to avoid vanity and materialism. Their clothing is characterized by:
- Solid, dark-colored fabrics such as black, navy, or dark brown
- Plain, modest designs without adornment or bright patterns
- Hand-sewn or locally made garments
This simplicity in clothing aligns with their religious emphasis on humility and modesty.
Recreation and Education
Recreational activities are community-centered, and the Amish often enjoy activities like:
- Bicycles (permitted in many communities, as long as they are simple and free of modern features)
- Board games and puzzles
- Community singing, storytelling, and church gatherings
Education beyond the eighth grade is generally avoided, with schooling provided within the community through Amish-run schools that focus on basic literacy, reading, and vocational skills using traditional methods.
Exploring the Bible
The Amish derive their lifestyle and rules from the Bible, interpreting Scripture as a guide for daily living. Several verses support their approach to technology and material possessions:
- 1 Timothy 6:6-8: "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." — This encourages simplicity and contentment with basic necessities.
- Matthew 6:19-21: "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth... but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven." — Emphasizes spiritual over material wealth, influencing their minimal use of worldly possessions.
- Romans 12:2: "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind." — Guides their avoidance of adopting worldly technology and trends.
- Colossians 3:23: "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord." — Inspires their diligent work without reliance on modern machinery when it conflicts with their values.
Conclusion
The Amish community carefully regulates what they are allowed to use based on their religious beliefs and desire to live a life of humility, community, and spiritual focus. While they embrace certain tools and technologies that support their way of life, they avoid those that could lead to pride, individualism, or worldly distraction. Their selective use of transportation, communication, household items, and work tools reflects their commitment to their faith and values. Understanding these distinctions not only provides insight into Amish culture but also highlights their dedication to living a life that aligns with their biblical principles and community ideals.
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