Impressed at the Amish

**RantyDave** · 6th October 2006, 08:36

Y'know - no phones, funny hats, famous for raising barns? The Amish are less famous for living an extremely peaceful lifestyle. At least technically they practice forgiveness over revenge and understanding over hatred, so with the tying up and shooting of ten schoolgirls that was clearly going to get a bit of a workout.

Well, frankly, they've done an amazing job. For one all the other Amish schools didn't start crapping themselves, employing security guards, putting huge wire fences round the schools or anything like that. The kids all went to school the next day. They walk to school too, on their own. The community have shown no animosity towards the family of the gunman and have offered their support (they are apparently able to claim from a victims support fund) and the kids' funerals went past the gunman's front door without any shouting, spitting or setting of things on fire.

As practicing what you preach goes, it's pretty well a text book example. I would say that other religions (looking at you Catholics, Muslims) could perhaps learn a thing or two, but then I'd be starting a flamewar so I wont.

Dave

**MSTRS:Me** · 6th October 2006, 08:39

Originally Posted by RantyDave

I would say that other religions (looking at you Catholics, Muslims) could perhaps learn a thing or two, but then I'd be starting a flamewar so I wont.

Dave

God (whoever s/he barracks for) no, don't do that.

**Pumba** · 6th October 2006, 08:39

"That man deserves a DB"

. Its all so simple but true

**SARGE** · 6th October 2006, 08:50

there is a fairly substantial Amish and Menonite community in my home state.. they are the nicest, most generous, humble people i have ever met..

we had 12 of us on bikes one summer .. been riding all day and one of us broke down just outside one of the villages..it was getting dark and it was pretty much middle of nowhere.. they threw the busted bike up in a wagon and took us all back to the village .. lent us space in the barn and use of his tools . fed all 12 of us a big farm supper and put us up for the night ..next morning .. a big farm breakfast and food for our packs..

they didnt know us .. we were definite " outlanders" and not one of us looked respectable

we went back 2 months later and helped with the harvest just to say thanks ..

that was the first and last time in my life i have ever been impressed with a religion

**nudemetalz** · 6th October 2006, 09:17

Nice story, Sarge.

**Paul in NZ** · 6th October 2006, 09:20

Nice stories here folks and I have to agree. I've been very impressed by the Amish.

Says something for selflessness

**onearmedbandit** · 6th October 2006, 09:25

Good story Sarge, got to have respect for them after that no doubt.

**Damon** · 6th October 2006, 09:33

Of all the religions in the world their one appeals the most, it's so simple, no worries of the modern world, just get up at 5:30, milk the cows, plough the fields, put up a barn, it would be so simple, only problem is you couldn't have bike

**WRT** · 6th October 2006, 09:35

Originally Posted by Damon

only problem is you couldn't have bike

Just disguise it as a clydesdale . . .

**SARGE** · 6th October 2006, 09:35

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

Good story Sarge, got to have respect for them after that no doubt.

yea ... i doubt very seriously that we would have been treated anywhere close to the hospitality we were shown if that happened at a mainstream "Christian" community..

their homes were open to every one of us .. we got to toss a ball around with the kids and no-one said boo to us ..

i'd be willing to bet that if i went back there today, i would be remembered and welcomed like one of the family

if i believed in god.. that would be the religion i could live with

**Pixie** · 6th October 2006, 09:46

Amish Paradise
by Al Yankovic

Lyrics:

As I walk through the valley where I harvest my grain
I take a look at my wife and realize she's very plain
But that's just perfect for an Amish like me
You know, I shun fancy things like electricity
At 4:30 in the morning I'm milkin' cows
Jebediah feeds the chickens and Jacob plows... fool
And I've been milkin' and plowin' so long that
Even Ezekiel thinks that my mind is gone
I'm a man of the land, I'm into discipline
Got a Bible in my hand and a beard on my chin
But if I finish all of my chores and you finish thine
Then tonight we're gonna party like it's 1699

We been spending most our lives
Living in an Amish paradise
I've churned butter once or twice
Living in an Amish paradise
It's hard work and sacrifice
Living in an Amish paradise
We sell quilts at discount price
Living in an Amish paradise

A local boy kicked me in the butt last week
I just smiled at him and turned the other cheek
I really don't care, in fact I wish him well
'Cause I'll be laughing my head off when he's burning in hell
But I ain't never punched a tourist even if he deserved it
An Amish with a 'tude? You know that's unheard of
I never wear buttons but I got a cool hat
And my homies all I agree I look good in black... fool
If you come to visit, you'll be bored to tears
We haven't even paid the phone bill in 300 years
But we ain't really quaint, so please don't point and stare
We're just technologically impaired

There's no phone, no lights, no motorcar
Not a single luxury
Like Robinson Caruso
It's as primitave as can be

We been spending most our lives
Living in an Amish paradise
We're just plain and simple guys
Living in an Amish paradise
There's no time for sin and vice
Living in an Amish paradise
We don't fight, we all play nice
Living in an Amish paradise

Hitchin' up the buggy, churnin' lots of butter
Raised a barn on Monday, soon I'll raise another
Think you're really rightous? Think you're pure in heart?
Well, I know I'm a million times as humble as thou art
I'm the pious guy the little Amlettes wanna be like
On my knees day and night scorin' points for the afterlife
So don't be vain and don't be whiny
Or else, my brother, I might just have to get medieval on your heinie

We been spending most our lives
Living in an Amish paradise
We're all crazy Mennonites
Living in an Amish paradise
There's no cops or traffic lights
Living in an Amish paradise
But you'd probably think it bites
Living in an Amish paradise

Yuck

Sung to the tune of Livin' in a Gangsta's paradise

**placidfemme** · 6th October 2006, 09:48

Have to agree with you all... They seem to have the idea right, and it works for them.

Like Gandi once said: Christianity is the best religion... its just a pity no-one follows it...

I don't know what the Amish stand on God is, and what how they worship, but there day to day lives say a lot about them

**Paul in NZ** · 6th October 2006, 09:57

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3820336a10,00.html

Impressive - They dress the bodies in house, self reliant etc. Everything an outlaw gang claims to be but is not.

I like these gentle folk. But I like mountain gorillas as well and have no desire to be one...

**SARGE** · 6th October 2006, 09:59

Originally Posted by placidfemme

I don't know what the Amish stand on God is, and what how they worship, but there day to day lives say a lot about them

they follow the Old Testament for the most part without all the judgment and hatred that is so rife in the mainstream.. family and community is a priority.. as is the " Golden Rule" .. greed and materialism is unknown.. whats mine is yours and they actually give a shit about their neighbors..

ive never met my neighbors ...