Only in America
 

I'd thought I'd post this link because of the unique place America must still be. I have never been to the USA and doubt I'll ever get to go as I'm getting on a bit now.

But as a commited Christian I am intriqued by the Amish people and there chosen way of life. Also by the fact that surely this could only happen in America.

But it looks like this life style is under threat from property prices.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8153131.stm

I beg to differ! And so do my Mennonite neighbours on the edge of town. A horse cart selling their wares is a common feature at a nearby mall, and one of the colleges at the school where I work is for is run exclusively for their kids (suggested by many to be less about education, and more for the community to ensure that the youth are surrounded by their own kind, have acceptable and supervised fun together, and end up marrying other Mennonites). They're good neighbours and definitely a unique community.

So no, it's definitely NOT something that could only happen in the USA!

The Amish are good people. Lancaster PA one hour from my home is predominately Amish. Extremely nice people. The Amish markets around my house are extremely popular. I do not see their way of life threatened, at least in my area. In fact, they thrive quite well with the Amish markets.

I've been to Intercourse many times. The Amish have filled a niche in terms of tourism and demand for Amish wares. They aren't going anywhere, or at least the Pennsylvania Amish.

Wait! You're saying Canada isn't part of... ?

Whut? :doh:
:rotfl2:

Don't be silly, Canada isn't part of the USA. Never has been.

Canada, as we all know, is America's Hat.






So, more like an occasionally fashionable accessory. :yep:

:03:

There are, by the way, also large Mennonite communities elsewhere around the world. Like Mexico, although I guess technically the US is part of.... :D

Yep, they're everywhere. One funny part of it is that I live in the heart of Mormonville, and we find that many people think Mormons are like Mennonites. Mormons are just the opposite - as thoroughly modern as people can be, at least in lifestyle.

Volunteering in animal rescue, I have a slightly different viewpoint of the Amish and Mennonites. Some of the worst puppy mills are operated by the Amish and Mennonites.

This is not surprising as both cultures tend to treat animals as commodities.

Unfortunately, few prosecutors are willing to accept the political risk of going after these "simple religious folks".

The PA legislature and the PA Department of Ag have exempted Amish and Mennonite farm animals as well as other farm animals from being subject to the animal cruelty statutes. The Amish tourist trade brings in a lot of money I guess. :shifty:

The Amish and Mennonite cultures are identical to other human cultures. There is the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of human cultures.

While I can appreciate the good aspects of their culture, I also recognize the bad and ugly aspects too.

Totally understandable. I think there is this sort of "noble farmer" romance around them that is unfair and overlooks the real problems they have strictly because they're so wildly different from how we're used to living.

There are other puppy mills in other cultures/societies as well. We sing their praises yet these folks also breed dogs for profit. Breed the female to exhaustion. Mix breeds such as pugs/beagle for puggles for profit. On it goes. The Amish have not cornered the market on such practices. But, by and large, I believe the Amish do regard animals as nothing but property. When the property does not produce the work it is the end of the line for the animal.

Interesting, I suppose I look at the way the UK has changed since the 60s and how it's being led into a Euro pot of politicaly correct "every tomatoe must be the same size" normality. Then I see this Amish way of life that simply challenges all around me, it can only happen in America.

I recon I see, not a way out, but an alternative and somewhere between the madness and insanity of religeous cults and the madness of not having TVs in every room and driveways full of cars, but a normal life led at a pace that even a horse and a buggy can manage.

In some Amish households this is changing. There are some that have gotten a phone or a car. Others still go strictly by the book. I remember reading years ago about a cocaine ring in Lancaster PA ran by the Amish.

http://www.rickross.com/reference/amish/amish2.html

Sometimes the outside world provides a strong magnet to breaking the ideals they set out to live by.

It seems wrong that nobody has quoted this yet.


See the back of envelope for further joke assembly instructions.

"Insert Tab A into Slot B..."