Amish Inspiration?

lostinrates

jpscloud wrote: »

I have to admit I hadn't heard about the discussion of animal cruelty, just had a quick search online. I am guilty as charged fur believin' what I sees on TV.... The horses I saw on TV were without doubt well cared for and not in any distress, but I haven't visited the Amish in person so I shall stop thinking I know what I'm talking about immediately!

Thanks, i knew my pov might not be popular. Just to confirm my place as a cynic, the horses i have seen on tv are trotted to hard on roads ( trot is the most concussive pace, mainy people assume its the faster paces! But this can cause anthying from minor discomfort to truley painful, working life shortening conditions) and some have had musculature that beles pretty poor horsemanship. People still seemed proud of them, and they were clean and probably thought well of, but that does not equal good welfare, or even that the horse is stress free.

I'll hop off the soap box now, because i really do think we have a lot to learn from them too.

pink_princess

I have no knowledge of the Amish life other than watching a few programmes, I stop myself wasting money by remembering what we were like as a family when I found MSE.
In debt, feeling that we could not make our bill payments each month etc.
After going OS I realised that we could actually afford a much better lifestyle, we just chose to waste money.
So now we don't waste cash, eat healthier, now debt free, even have savings and at least 1 holiday abroad a year which we could never had afforded, (On pretty much the same ingoings/outgoings) .
For me a simple life has an end game, it means a much better standard of living long term.

meritaten

I know the Amish consider themselves 'Plain People' and so try to live a plain lifestyle. They are also very 'Man is boss -Woman has babies and lives in the kitchen'! They eschew electricity and modern conveniences such as cars and telephones. I do not have a problem with the latter! Amish men would argue that their wives are equal in that they couldnt function without them - but ALL decisions concerning the community are decided by the men! so to me that is not equality!
I do however agree with the Amish policy of turning the other cheek - but only up to a point. an Amish man would not defend his wife or children if it involved violence. they turn the other cheek. he doesnt defend his country either - they will not fight. but neither will they enlist as non-combatants. they seem to see the Amish community as another, separate country which happens to live on American soil. I am not sure I am comfortable with that. While the Amish are peaceable - I think that can be carried too far.

Justamum

meritaten wrote: »

Yes, I find the Amish fascinating too - I really respect their simple way of life - the only issue I have a problem with them is their women seem to be in need of emancipation - yet if that happened I beleive thier way of life would vanish! what a conumdrum!

I loved that series and find the Amish fascinating. I was so envious of their shelves full of homemade produce. I don't agree that the women 'need' emancipation as they are perfectly happy with their lot. They choose that way of life as they have a rumspringer year where they can live out in the world and decide whether the Amish life is for them. Nobody forces them to return but the vast majority of them do, and that's when they become Amish.

lostinrates

Justamum wrote: »

I loved that series and find the Amish fascinating. I was so envious of their shelves full of homemade produce. I don't agree that the women 'need' emancipation as they are perfectly happy with their lot. They choose that way of life as they have a rumspringer year where they can live out in the world and decide whether the Amish life is for them. Nobody forces them to return but the vast majority of them do, and that's when they become Amish.

I think this sounds fnicer than it is. In some communities contact is cut if you do not choose to return.....imagine choosing between everybthing you have known, your family and so e things you want but have been told your whole life are wrong.

Incidentally, in other communities, not the amish of course ! women choose to have their daughters circumcised, ....cultural and familial influence is a huge decider in most poeples life choices. and when people leave communities their choices have immense pressure on their lives.

I sound like i am really down on the amish, (and other communities ) i am not really at all, i just don't like romantising things to the point of being blind about the less grand sides. If the discussion were about those lucky westerners with their stuff and choices, i would be pointing out the down sides as quickly.

the_cake

lostinrates wrote: »

Thanks, i knew my pov might not be popular. Just to confirm my place as a cynic, the horses i have seen on tv are trotted to hard on roads ( trot is the most concussive pace, mainy people assume its the faster paces! But this can cause anthying from minor discomfort to truley painful, working life shortening conditions) and some have had musculature that beles pretty poor horsemanship. People still seemed proud of them, and they were clean and probably thought well of, but that does not equal good welfare, or even that the horse is stress free.

I'll hop off the soap box now, because i really do think we have a lot to learn from them too.

You are absolutely right about this. I know a bit about how they treat their horses: buy them cheap (maybe "saving" them from the "kill pens") but then work them really hard until they put them back into auction, completely knackered. They like Morgan and Saddlebred horses, as they are flashy driving horses, but in these horse communities to have a horse bought by the Amish is known to be a terrible fate for it, and to be avoided. This may not be true of all Amish, but certainly is where I was visiting.

wondercollie

Google Amish and puppymills. I have friends who have rescued the dogs bred there, not a pretty story.

If you are truly interested in a simple life research the Hutterites and Mennonites.

The Hutterites are very similar to the Amish but utilize motor vehicles and electricity. Usually drive the biggest pickup trucks to be found in the parking lot and are not always well loved by those closest to their "colonies". Dress traditionally.

Old order Mennonites are usually much friendler and outgoing. One young woman works in my building and she's lovely, just dresses modestly (doesn't cover her hair) and is a fantastic baker. But she made it clear that she's only working to save up for some land for her future husband!

cjez_2

Hi, kinda new to writing on here but have been reading the forum for years.
I get what you mean about finding a simple life inspiring. On the other hand though I really don't want to have to start sweeping the whole house inside out when I could just use a hoover instead.
To do without the endless advertising bombardment on a daily basis would be great though. Telling us what we need when it's purely a want all because we're "worth it".
I'm going to start growing my own veg- that's as close to Amish as I think I'm going to get.

Bitsy_Beans

Justamum wrote: »

I loved that series and find the Amish fascinating. I was so envious of their shelves full of homemade produce. I don't agree that the women 'need' emancipation as they are perfectly happy with their lot. They choose that way of life as they have a rumspringer year where they can live out in the world and decide whether the Amish life is for them. Nobody forces them to return but the vast majority of them do, and that's when they become Amish.

They are not forced to become Amish however imagine at such a tender age having to choose between going home or being shunned is akin to emotional blackmail in my mind.

cjez_2

I read (don't know ifits right) that not all Amish communities send their kids out to the bigger world. If so then they'll never get shunned as they don't have a choice.