FAQ About the Amish, Part 2

Last week I shared some of the most frequent questions I hear regarding this Amish. I have a few more that I’d like to share today. Remember, these answers are based on my experience–yours might be different as practices differ between communities.

• Is it true that the Amish only study and teach certain parts of the Bible? I haven’t actually attended an Amish church, but I can tell you that I’ve met with several bishops as well as church members. They use the same Bible we do, although it is often in German. Some of the younger Amish now use Bibles with parallel text–one in Englisch and one in German. Other than that, it’s exactly the same Bible you and I use.
• Does almost every state have Amish communities and if so how can you find out about them in your own state? You can see numbers for each state here, and you can see a United States map with numbers of Amish settlements here.
• Are there any mail order sites available for those who could never travel to communities to buy Amish dolls and quilts? I have ordered from Amishstuffstores, Lolly’s Fabrics (you need to call to order), Rebecca Haarer (call to order), and Down A Country Road. If anyone knows of additional places, please list them in the comments section!
• What kind of services are done for funerals in the Amish way of life? As you can imagine, Amish funerals are simpler. In fact, often the body is returned to the home after being cared for by the local mortician. They use plain wood coffins, and the line of buggies can often stretch for miles.  You can read more about Amish funerals here. 
• I’ve seen in pictures of Amish having cluttered bookcases (never a bad thing!); what sort of fiction books are allowed?  I don’t know if it’s a question of what is allowed. It’s more a matter of how much free time is in each day (not much) and how much extra income there is to be spend on books (again, not much). I was surprised to see so many Amish visiting the library when I was in Sugar Creek, OH. I also visited with a lovely Amish woman who had a bookcase full of Karen Kingsbury books. I’d say it varies from person to person.
• I know most Amish hang their laundry outside to dry. My question is “Don’t they have to rewash things often due to outside dirt, such as bird droppings”? I hang my clothes on the line, and I haven’t had this problem. I think the important thing would be to have your clothesline away from the trees.

Thank you all for your questions. I’ve enjoyed sharing with you what I know. Next month we will be covering BOOKS, and we’ll start with a special post and giveaway by my friend, Kelly Irvin.

Blessings,

V

ps – A Promise for Miriam is on sale for $10 for a few more days (through Feb. 28), when ordered from me personally. Click here and use the BUY NOW button.