Amish – Their Religious Beliefs

In the 15^th and 16^th centuries, the Anabaptist movement was growing in areas of Europe.  The beliefs this group adhered to was based on the early New Testament Church.  They wanted the Church to get back to fundamentals and focus back on Jesus.  The Anabaptists believed very strongly in the virgin birth of Jesus and the principals he taught.  Believers Baptism was something they practiced and believed in, which showed that that person had given up worldly ideas to follow Jesus.  This practice stirred up anger in the other major religious groups of the era.  Thus the Anabaptists were persecuted heavily throughout this period.

Because of their radical beliefs, many of these people were persecuted and even burned at the stake for their personal and religious beliefs.  Individuals were identified, falsely accused, and punished until they “repented” to the local government and church (many times they were one in the same), or they were made an example of to prove them wrong to their co-believers.  However the Anabaptists were so rooted in their faith that they took the early church’s stance and allowed themselves persecuted for the sake of Christ.

In 1536, a Catholic priest named Menno Simons joined the Anabaptist movement.  Menno was very influential and is remembered for his leadership and insights into the movement.  This movement was working to get the Christian faith more turned toward the uniqueness and purity of the early Church.  The movement believed heavily on the teachings of Simons and based much of their faith on his teachings.  They believed in peaceful resolution to issues, and said that a believer should not bear arms or offer resistance to people in the wrong.  Those who were unfaithful to the beliefs adhered to by those who took baptism, were excommunicated and refused sacraments along with other things until they repented.

During the period of the persecutions, the division in religions seemed to be Catholics versus everyone else. Those who fell in to the latter group quite often had different beliefs than others, but still shunned the Catholic Church.  Out of this group came the Mennonites, Amish and Brethren to name a few. These groups have deep roots in Lancaster County, but have different beliefs regarding some “grey areas”. You will find the Amish shunning outside things such as cars, electricity, and other modern inventions, because of their belief that they should be “in the world but not part of it”.  Mennonites and Brethren churches take a similar stance, but draw the lines at different places.  Most of them drive cars, and use modern utilities.  However they believe that they are called apart to God.  So even though they live in this world, they do not focus on it – just pass through.

Even though the different religious groups have the same strict rules they adhere to, you will find some variations.  One is that some Amish drive vehicles but remove or paint over the chrome.  As you will find in other areas of their lives, they do not want to call attention to themselves nor have pictures taken of themselves or their families.  So you will find much variation within the groups, but one thing you will find is their simple lifestyle.

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