The Amish Case

In this essay I will be writing about the essential aspects of the Amish beliefs. The information gathered for this essay is from a DVD I watched on

PBS called, American Experience: The Amish. This DVD interviewed Amish people and showed them in their natural environment. The major beliefs discussed in the DVD where related to the Amish principles, variations that exist among Amish subgroups and the importance of the Amish church.

This DVD interviewed Amish people by using their voice and not showing their face. The Amish population does not like to have their face on camera or have their picture take up close. The movie showed areas the the world that Amish live in and them doing daily activities with the camera not being the main focus. Amish believe that cameras goes against the 2nd commandment, ”You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath". Amish people believe that technology takes away from the focus of the community. Things like phones, automobiles and electricity was taking people away from their community. The 1st technology was the phone that the Amish did not agree with. By 1910, most Amish communities had banned phones in their homes. They were permitted the use of public phones. By 1920, most Amish were prohibited from owning or driving cars, but were allowed to travel as passengers. By mid-century, connection to the electrical grid was also banned. Amish sees threats in technology which provide easy contact with worldly ideas and values, or those who may break down the family or community, by serving as distractions or eliminating the need of relaying on one’s others in one’s community. The Amish population beliefs are very strong and centered around their church family being the most important social unit.

Each church community is made of 25 to 35 families. The Amish church is focused on the community and putting