“Amish and Technology”
ANT 101: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
Terra Smith
Page 1
The task of keeping traditional Amish culture alive becomes ever more challenging as
American society is driven by technology and a wave of change that is currently becoming
change is very misunderstood by modern society. With their plain style of dress, straw hats,
suspenders, and buggies, it is not difficult to see why so many of us perceive the Amish as
having a hatred of technology. In reality, the Amish do not despise technology and even have
incorporated many technologies into their culture. Other technologies, however, have been
rejected completely or used within certain limitations as a result of deep religious beliefs and the
rules that guide and maintain their distinct culture.
To understand the modern Amish view of technology, it is important to first look at and gain
an understanding of their religious beliefs and their history. To understand the modern Amish
view of technology, it is important to first examine and gain an understanding of their religious
beliefs and their history. The Amish stem from a sixteenth century reformation movement known
today as theAnabaptist Movement. Anabaptists believed that baptism should be reserved only
for those who were ready to enter a life of faith, repentance, obedience, and discipline. For this
reason, the Anabaptists protested against the Roman Catholic doctrine of infant baptism and
became enemies of the Church. Like the Roman Catholic Church, however, the Anabaptists still
recognized the three ordained leadership positions of bishop, priest, and deacon. The
Anabaptists believed, following Jesus’ example, that members of the movement should practice
loving enemies, forgiving insults, and turning the other cheek. They also believed in separation
from society and the separation of church and state. The Bible was, and is, literally translated.
These...