Posted By Faith and Family Books on October 1, 2009

Interview Part 2 with Suzanne Fisher, author of the book Amish Peace:

Faith and Family Books: In modeling the value of work to their children, how do the Amish seek to encourage and build their children up in the process of learning new things and doing a job well, so as not to exasperate them at such young ages?

Suzanne: Some of those traits are considered values…so children are seeing examples all around them of doing a job well and taking time with a task. The modeling extends beyond the home…to extended family, the neighbors, the church.

Faith and Family Books: The Amish are one of the fastest growing populations in the United States. Why?

Suzanne: They have such huge families! And an 85% to 90% retention rate.

Faith and Family Books: What exactly does it mean to be Amish?

Suzanne: What exactly does it mean to be Amish? Most likely, it means you are born into it. Very few people ever convert to the Old Order Amish. Being Amish is both a Christian religion and way of life that affirms their beliefs. These are some of their beliefs that you’re probably familiar with: simple, non-materialistic living. Rejection of electricity from public utility lines. Distinctive dress. A prohibition against TV and computers. Using the horse and buggy as the means of transportation. Ending an education at the 8th grade. Meeting in homes for church. But there’s so much more to the Amish than buggies and the beards!

Faith and Family Books: Do their basic beliefs differ from mainstream Protestantism?

Suzanne: The Amish trace their roots to the Anabaptist movement in Switzerland in 1525, at the time of the Protestant Reformation. The Anabaptists emphasized voluntary adult baptism over infant baptism. It seems like a minor thing to us, but it was a “deal breaker” for them. They were considered to be radicals and martyred for their beliefs. In 1693, the Amish formed their own group under leader Jakob Ammann. How have they remained true? There isn’t a simple answer to that question, but the short answer is that they truly believe they are living the life God wants them to live. In 1900, there were only 5,000 Old Order Amish in the United States. Sociologists assumed they would disappear. Today, their population is over 233,000! It’s doubling every 20 years due to the sizable families and a high retention rate. Not only have they remained true to their values, they are thriving.

Faith and Family Books: Your grandfather was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church. Can you describe some of the family gatherings you went to?

Suzanne: One event that sticks out in my mind was a gathering of “the colony.” Every few years, the Dunkards (not Drunkards) gather regionally for fellowship and worship, for discussion of issues that are facing the church, and…for fun! The gathering I attended was held in a large field under a tent. Picture an enormous canvas tent, as big as a circus tent, minus the strips and the circus. Within the tent were hundreds of Plain People on long backless benches, patiently listening to the preacher. We sang hymns acapella style, and had a wonderful, simple meal afterward. It felt as if we had stepped into another century! But what stayed with me was how much they value their relationships to their families and community.

Categories: Book Reviews, October 2009
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