The Amish emigrated to North America mainly to avoid persecution. They first settled in Pennsylvania but in 1850 there was discord between the Old order Amish and the New order Amish. Today there are around 200,000 Old Order Amish in more than 200 settlements in the US and Canada. Their largest settlement is found in Lancaster County. The Amish have many practices that differentiate them from normal christianity. One practice is the Amish shunning which is how the Amish deal with misbehavior. Different Amish communities may vary in how strict they are but regardless the shunning is very hurtful and painful for the one being shunned. If someone is shunned you may not eat with, sell to, buy from, or sleep with them even if they are a family member. You may be shunned for many reasons extending from moral sins to using the wrong technology. Another practice of the Amish is their use of electricity, which is avoided by the Amish because they believe it is a connection too the world which could lead to worldly temptations. There are however some exceptions to this rule for example, adding flashers to their buggies at night so they can legally drive, or farm equipment that they may need to properly farm. Some new Amish orders do …show more content…
The Amish have Communion and foot washing time a year and the people are only baptized when they become members of the church which occurs usually around the age of 17 to 20. Their church services are regulated in German and they speak Dutch in their daily life and learn english in their schools. Durning their church services they do not allow any musical instruments because it is expressed as worldly and arrogant. Their communities are divided into church districts so that that are able to hold church services in church members houses rather than at a specific church building. Their service are every other Sunday. Most commonly there are three to seven preachers and bishops at a service. Ministers are chosen by lot from the men in the Amish church district congregation.Ministers serve for life and receive no salary. As for the children’s education they attend one room schools which are run by people of the Amish community and they only go to school up until 8th