A Society Unplugged in the Digital Age: The Amish

Amish are a Christian community that emerged on the historical stage as a branch of the Anabaptist movement that arose in 16th-century Europe and has sought to preserve its beliefs and way of life far from the influences of the modern world. Their rejection of infant baptism and acceptance only of conscious adult baptism distinguished them from Catholic and mainstream Protestant groups. Following a schism in the 1690s centered on the views of Jacob Ammann, his followers gradually came to be known as the “Amish.”

Due to persecution in Europe, the Amish began migrating to America from the late 17th century onward, preferring to settle in rural areas of states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana. Today, with a population exceeding one hundred thousand, this community is notable for its simple lifestyle, distinctive clothing and cautious attitude toward technology.

For the Amish, their distance from technology is not merely a practical preference but an integral part of a faith-based worldview. The belief that modern conveniences may foster individualism and weaken communal bonds is one of the foundational principles shaping their way of life. Consequently, the Amish community deliberately imposes limits across many aspects of daily life—from education to social interaction—to preserve their identity.

Origins and Historical Background of the Amish

The origins of the Amish lie in the 16th-century Reformation movement in Europe. During the Reformation, certain groups questioned the relationship between church and state and embraced a more radical religious lifestyle. Among these radical groups, the Anabaptists advocated for the separation of church and state, adopted a life centered on the Bible and established a disciplined communal order.

Amish community life(Pixabay)

The most distinctive feature separating Anabaptists from other Christian communities is their rejection of infant baptism and their exclusive acceptance of adult baptism performed with conscious consent. In addition, their refusal to engage in warfare or bear arms, their rejection of oaths and their advocacy of civil disobedience brought them into conflict with state authorities in Europe. As a result of this persecution, many Anabaptists were forced to migrate to other regions.

In the 1690s, a doctrinal disagreement led by Jacob Ammann created a new turning point within the Anabaptist movement. Ammann argued that the community must separate more sharply from modern society and advocated stricter discipline toward those who had been excommunicated. As a result of this schism, the group that broke away from the Mennonites gradually became known as the “Amish.”

Fleeing religious persecution in Europe, the Amish migrated to America in the late 17th century and established rural communities where they could live their faith more freely. This migration process was decisive in both preserving their identity and developing their own distinctive closed communal structure.

A Lifestyle Distanced from the Modern World

The Amish are defined as a community that consciously distances itself from the influences of the modern world. To them, living simply is a path to being closer to God. For this reason, they prefer to live in rural areas away from urban life and prioritize communal order over individual preferences.

Amish community life(Pixabay)

One of the most important concepts governing Amish life is Ordnung. Ordnung is the comprehensive set of rules that govern daily life, encompassing everything from dress to technology use. Through these rules, community members maintain a uniform lifestyle and limit the influence of the outside world.

Simplicity, humility and communal solidarity are among the core values of Amish life. The individualistic and competitive nature of the modern world is seen as potentially eroding these values. Therefore, the Amish prefer to sustain their daily lives as much as possible within traditional frameworks.

Religious Foundations of Their Distance from Technology

The Amish stance of distance toward technology is not merely a practical choice but the result of a faith-based approach. In their worldview, humility, submission and communal awareness are paramount. Modern technology is viewed as potentially fostering individualism and weakening communal bonds.

In Amish belief, a degree of separation from the world is a fundamental principle. This perspective is rooted in the idea that worldly comforts and conveniences may draw individuals away from spiritual life. Therefore, technological innovations are evaluated according to whether they threaten the community’s values and cohesion.

Rather than rejecting technology outright, the Amish assess it based on its impact on their religious and social structure. If a new innovation risks undermining the community’s order, family structure or faith-based way of life, it is not accepted. This approach has led the Amish to develop a deliberate and controlled distance from the modern world.

Rules Regarding Electricity, Telephones and Automobiles

In Amish communities, technology use is determined not by individual choice but by communal rules outlined in the Ordnung. These rules may vary slightly from one settlement to another. As a result, some Amish communities permit limited use of certain devices, while others enforce stricter prohibitions.

Electricity is generally not accepted in most Amish communities. Connecting to the electrical grid is seen as introducing modern life into the home and strengthening ties with the outside world. Similarly, telephones are typically not kept inside homes; in some communities, telephone booths are located at a distance from residences. This practice aims to limit communication without eliminating it entirely.

Amish transportation(Pixabay)

A similar approach is taken regarding automobiles. The Amish do not own personal cars; instead, they typically use horse-drawn buggies for transportation. This is believed to preserve communal solidarity and limit individual mobility. These rules are not based on complete rejection of technology but on the principle of restricting its use according to its compatibility with social and religious values.

Simplicity and Communal Order in Daily Life

Amish life is based not on individual preferences but on communal order. They typically live in church districts composed of about 30 to 35 families, and this structure serves as the center of both religious and social life. Worship services are held every other week in the homes or barns of different families, making religious life an organic part of everyday existence.

Traditional Amish farming(Pixabay)

Agriculture forms the foundation of their livelihood. Many Amish families own farms, and children assume responsibilities in family work from an early age. Through this process, values such as diligence, frugality and mutual support are learned in daily life. During harvest time, weddings, funerals or periods of hardship, community members support one another; even material losses are shared collectively.

A plain and unadorned style is adopted in clothing. Their attire reflects community identity and restricts individual differentiation. This simple way of life is one of the essential elements enabling the Amish to separate from modern culture while preserving their internal cohesion.

Resistance to Modernization Through Education

For the Amish, education is not merely a process of acquiring academic knowledge but a means of preserving their faith and way of life. For this reason, they do not send their children to public schools beyond the eighth grade and argue that education at this level is sufficient. They believe that basic literacy, arithmetic and practical life skills can be acquired through eight years of schooling.

Traditional Amish education(Generated)

Public high school education is viewed as potentially distancing young people from their families and communities. Mandatory high school education has been criticized for exposing Amish youth to modern culture more intensively. Consequently, the Amish engaged in prolonged legal battles with the state to resist compulsory education.

In 1972, a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court exempted the Amish from compulsory education beyond the eighth grade on grounds of religious freedom. This decision enabled them to continue their educational system by establishing their own schools and marked a pivotal moment in the preservation of community identity.

Preserving Amish Identity in the Face of Technology in the 21st Century

Shared work among the Amish(Pixabay)

As technological advancements accelerated in the 21st century, Amish communities have faced increasing pressures from change. However, their fundamental principle regarding technology has remained unchanged: every innovation is evaluated according to its impact on community structure and religious values. As a result, while limited and controlled use of certain technologies is permitted in some areas, practices that may foster individualism are met with distance.

For the Amish, the goal is not to sever all ties with the modern world but to establish boundaries that preserve their communal order. Agriculture, small-scale enterprises and family-based production models continue to be maintained, and economic activities are conducted in ways consistent with community values.

In a world rapidly transformed by technology, one of the most important factors in preserving Amish identity is a way of life grounded in shared rules. Through this system, Amish communities aim to sustain their cultural and religious integrity in the face of modernization.