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NBR & Totally Random: Amish

BackthePackBackthePack
in North Carolina Babies

So I have this fascination with the Amish. I don't agree with many of their religious beliefs, but I am totally intrigued by their way of life. Anyone else?

I went to the "Amish Country" with my grandparents when I was very young (maybe Kindergarten) and there's an Amish community not far from where we live (they have a little store that I've gone to before), but other than that I don't really have any experience with them (not surprising since they live in a closed community pretty much).  

I watched this NatGeo special called Amish: Out of Order last night about teens who leave the Amish and their transition into regular American life. It was interesting and gave me a different perspective that I hadn't thought about.  

I just cannot imagine living without electricity and doing EVERYTHING by hand. I don't want to live that way forever, but I'd love to live like that for maybe a week or two to have the experience. Maybe I'm just weird...

So, what are your thoughts about the Amish? And yes, I know this is incredibly random!

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Re: NBR & Totally Random: Amish

  • Temp782982187506089Temp782982187506089

    I grew up about an hour away from Amish Country, Pennsylvania and their way of living is fascinating.  It's funny you mention this because I was watching True Life: I'm Ex-Amish last night and was totally hooked.  They are known for breeding dogs and puppies in my old area and running "puppy mills", which is kind of hard to believe.  Anyway, the food they would sell in their stores was awesome and I loved going up to that area because it was so beautiful.  

    Totally not related, but growing up I had a friend who wasn't Amish, but had similar beliefs and they lived on a self sufficient farm, no TV or electricity and I think there were 10 or 11 kids.  The mom was still popping them out when the girl left my school.  But their way of life was similar and so interesting to me.   

    Edited: I realized I said fascinating way too many times so I grabbed some synonyms and came on back :) 

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  • MelBee12MelBee12 member
    I'm not sure if I've seen either of the same television programs as you, but I saw an Amish documentary type show where the teens go to raves and end up having a few years of "sinful" life before they decide whether or not they want to go back to the church.  I guess when they are 16 they are free to do as they please.  It was kind of scary and sad at how most of them acted out with drug use, sex and violence.  I think to a certain degree a sheltered life like that can backfire once they become integrated into American life.  It's like a big shock and many of them can't handle it.  I guess to some degree, even American teenagers go through this...but the kids they were following were dealing drugs and running from gangs.  Just kind of a shock when you see the values they were brought up with.  Just goes to show you I guess. 


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  • BackthePackBackthePack

    imageMelBee12:
    I saw an Amish documentary type show where the teens go to raves and end up having a few years of "sinful" life before they decide whether or not they want to go back to the church.  I guess when they are 16 they are free to do as they please.  

    That period of time is called their "Rumspringa" I believe. I cannot imagine what a complete and total social shock that must be to them. On the show I saw they were all smoking cigarettes and many were drinking beer. Just rebellion like so many other teens I guess.

    Skirk - I can't believe that about puppy mills. That's so sad!!

    I think there is a lot about Amish life that doesn't get out and probably a lot of glamorizing/idealizing of the simple life as well.

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  • BackthePackBackthePack
    Random funny note: I'm currently reading a series of 3 novels that are about an Amish girl and I usually read right before bed. Well, one night recently I dreamed all night long about being Amish and kept using words in my dream like "ferhoodled". So silly!
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  • ECUGirl2004ECUGirl2004 member

    Did anyone else watch that Amish reality show several years ago?  It was about a group of Amish kids on Rumspringa (sp) who went to live in CA with some American kids.  It's one of the only reality shows I've ever watched.  It was a bit trashy and stupid at times, but it was also interesting to hear the Amish kids talk about their lives and to see their struggle with the idea of staying out in society or going back to their families.  I think most of them decided to leave their families in the end.

    ETA: The show was called Amish in the City.  LOL

     

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