Religious Beliefs of the Amish

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In the Amish society there may be as many as eight different orders. However, most of the Amish affiliate themselves with five primary orders: The Old Order Amish, Andy Weaver Amish, Beachy Amish, and Swartzentruber Amish which are considered the most conservative of all Amish orders. Depending on which group the Amish are affiliated with will determine how conservative or liberal they are.

There is no central church in the Amish community. A church district in the Amish culture is typically made up of about 20 Amish families. This group will contain all types of Amish ranging from the young and old, single and married, couples with children and childless couples. A lot of times these church groups will include many relatives as well since they tend to live close to one another. The Amish church is structured with a leadership hierarchy that includes a bishop, two ministers, and a deacon. Because of the male dominance in the Amish culture all of these positions are held by men.

There are of course differences in the church structures as it pertains to non-Amish and Amish society. One of those major differences is the way baptism is viewed. In the English society traditionally one would be baptized as a child however, in the Amish culture they are baptized as adults. The Amish believe that it is only as an adult that informed decisions can be made about committing to the church. Before an adult becomes baptized in the Amish culture they are given the opportunity to sample the outside world. This period of an Amish's life is called rumspringa which is Pennsylvania Dutch for "running around". It is at this point that the Amish youth will make the decision on whether or not they will return to the Amish culture or abandon it. If they choose to return they will then become baptized. Although some Amish choose to leave permanently most choose to remain Amish.

Another practice that takes place in the Amish society is "meidung" or shunning. This is the expulsion of a member for continually breaching religious guidelines. Shunning is the main reason that the Amish broke away from the Mennonites. When a member is shunned they are cut off from all contact and communication, even with family members. Shunning is considered a last resort in the Amish culture because of its severe repercussions.

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