THE REAL Amish Lifestyle And The Clash Between God & Rules - YOU ARE NOW SHUNNED!

The Insightful Wenger
16 Sept 2019117:20
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script offers a deep dive into the lives of the Amish community, a religious group known for their simple living and strict adherence to traditional values. The narrative follows individuals like Ephraim and his family, who have chosen to challenge the Amish way of life, leading to their excommunication. The story explores the tension between the Amish's reliance on their elders' authority and a growing movement towards Evangelical Christianity that encourages a more personal interpretation of the Bible. Ephraim's journey, in particular, is a testament to faith as he gives up his dairy farm, faces the reality of medical expenses for his sick child, and trusts in divine provision despite the challenges. The video also highlights the cultural shifts within the Amish community, such as the use of English in Bible study and the questioning of certain practices. It's a poignant portrayal of the struggles and hopes of those who find themselves at the crossroads of tradition and modern faith.

Takeaways
  • πŸ›‘ The Amish community is bound by strict rules that govern their daily lives, including restrictions on using modern technology like electricity and cars.
  • ⏳ The Amish lifestyle has remained largely unchanged for nearly 300 years, preserving traditional values of hard work and simplicity.
  • πŸŽ₯ Some Amish individuals, like Ephraim Stoltzfus, question the rules and face the risk of excommunication, which can lead to a total rejection by their community.
  • 🌱 The Amish originally settled in North America to escape religious persecution, seeking a life of farming and simplicity.
  • πŸ“š A fundamental issue arises when Amish people begin to read the Bible in English and question the validity of the rules not rooted in scripture.
  • 🏑 Ephraim and his family's decision to sell their farm and move represents a significant shift away from traditional Amish life.
  • πŸ“ž Ephraim's choice to install a phone in his house and workshop goes against Amish rules, showcasing his willingness to bend or break them.
  • πŸ‘₯ The Amish community is tightly knit, with a strong emphasis on mutual support, which is lost upon excommunication.
  • 🌐 The Amish Bishops, as the ultimate guardians of the culture, hold significant power in enforcing the rules and punishing those who disobey.
  • πŸ“ˆ A growing Evangelical movement is encouraging Amish individuals to read the Bible in English and is contributing to a cultural shift within the community.
  • πŸ₯ Ephraim and Amanda's daughter, Marie, is diagnosed with leukemia, which becomes a turning point for their family's faith and reliance on their community.
Q & A
  • What is the Amish community's stance on modern technology and conveniences?

    -The Amish community is known for shunning modern technology and conveniences such as electricity, cars, and modern clothing. They adhere to a strict set of rules that keep the modern world out, preferring to maintain a simple and traditional lifestyle.

  • Why are the Amish not allowed to use electricity or drive cars?

    -The Amish avoid using electricity and driving cars because these are seen as elements that could connect them to the modern world and disrupt their traditional way of life. Their rules are designed to maintain their separation from contemporary society.

  • What is the consequence for Amish individuals who break the community's rules?

    -Those who break the Amish community's rules face shunning, which means they are cut off from their friends and family. In severe cases, they may be excommunicated and totally rejected by their own people.

  • What is the role of the Amish Bishops in the community?

    -The Amish Bishops are both leaders of the church and the ultimate guardians of the culture. They are responsible for deciding on the community's rules and punishing anyone who does not obey them.

  • Why do some Amish people choose to leave the community?

    -Some Amish individuals may choose to leave the community due to disagreements with the strict rules or a desire for a more liberal lifestyle. Others may question the religious basis of the rules and seek a deeper understanding of their faith outside the traditional Amish framework.

  • What is the Amish view on the use of the English language and the Bible?

    -The Amish traditionally use Pennsylvania Dutch, a dialect of German, as their primary language. However, over time, more Amish people are speaking English, especially in schools and business. There is a concern that the Amish are no longer understanding the antiquated German in which their Bible is written, leading to a disconnection from the original teachings and intentions of the scripture.

  • How does Ephraim Stoltzfus feel about the Amish rules?

    -Ephraim Stoltzfus has a significant problem with the Amish rules. He believes that some of the rules have gotten out of hand and do not have a basis in the Bible. He questions the necessity of these rules and believes that they should be separated from the church.

  • What is the significance of the Amish tradition of farming?

    -Farming is central to the Amish way of life as it helps them preserve their values of hard work and simplicity. It is also a means through which they maintain their self-sufficiency and distance from the modern world.

  • How do the Amish view the concept of excommunication?

    -Excommunication in the Amish community is a severe punishment that involves complete shunning by the community. It is viewed as handing the individual over to the devil, signifying a complete break from the community and its support system.

  • What are the challenges faced by Amish individuals who decide to leave the community?

    -Leaving the Amish community means losing the support network provided by the community. Ex-communicated individuals face emotional challenges, the difficulty of making independent choices without the guidance of the community's rules, and the need to adapt to a completely different lifestyle.

  • What is the role of the Amish church in the lives of its members?

    -The Amish church plays a significant role in the lives of its members, dictating their lifestyle, work, and even their language. It provides a sense of community and belonging, but also imposes strict rules that all members are expected to follow.

Outlines
00:00
πŸŒ„ Introduction to the Amish Culture

The paragraph introduces the Amish community living in the rural landscapes near major cities like Philadelphia and New York. It describes their traditional and unchanged way of life, which has persisted for almost 300 years. The Amish are portrayed as adhering to strict rules that exclude modern conveniences such as electricity and cars. The community's adherence to these rules, which dictate every aspect of their lives, results in a lifestyle that significantly contrasts with modern American society. The narrative foreshadows the story of two men who challenge these traditions and face the consequences of potential excommunication and total rejection by their community.

05:02
πŸ„ Amish Farming and Family Life

This paragraph delves into the daily life and rigorous routine of an Amish dairy farmer named Ephraim Stoltzfus, who is portrayed with his family on their farm. It details the demanding nature of Amish farming without modern machinery, describing the tasks from milking cows to the family collaboration in farm operations. Ephraim and his family adhere to traditional roles, with children learning work skills from a young age. The text touches on distinctive Amish cultural aspects like their unique dress codes and the use of the Pennsylvania Dutch language, highlighting both the community's adherence to tradition and the complexities of their rules.

10:04
πŸ“œ Religious and Cultural Struggles within the Amish

The narrative shifts to a discussion about the evolving religious and cultural conflicts within the Amish community. It presents Ephraim's questioning of the proliferation of Amish rules that regulate minute aspects of daily life, such as the wearing of suspenders. The tension between cultural practices and religious beliefs is palpable, as Ephraim laments the conflation of the two, suggesting that such rules are not divinely ordained but are rather cultural constructs. This internal conflict is juxtaposed against the backdrop of traditional Amish funeral practices, where the adherence to strict church rules is believed to influence one's afterlife destiny.

15:05
🏑 Transition and Challenges of Leaving the Amish

This paragraph captures a significant transition phase for Ephraim and his family as they contemplate leaving the Amish life behind. The focus is on their emotional and practical struggles, from the sale of their farm to their move into a rental home. Despite the physical move, the family still grapples with their Amish identity and the implications of potentially breaking away from their community entirely. The challenges of adjusting to a new lifestyle while maintaining some Amish traditions highlight the complex interplay between cultural heritage and personal beliefs.

20:07
πŸ›€οΈ Ephraim's Continued Spiritual Journey and Evangelism

Ephraim's journey takes a more spiritual and evangelical turn as he and his family adjust to life outside the Amish community while still engaging with it. Ephraim's personal transformation through reading the Bible in English, and his efforts to spread his new-found evangelical Christian beliefs, are detailed. This includes his use of unconventional methods like distributing gospel tracts styled as money. Despite the radical shift in his faith practice, Ephraim faces the challenge of balancing his evangelical zeal with the practical realities of his family's needs and their integration into a broader non-Amish community.

25:08
πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘©β€πŸ‘§β€πŸ‘¦ Amish Family Dynamics and Modern Challenges

This section explores deeper family dynamics and the broader implications of Ephraim and Amanda's religious choices on their familial relationships. The focus is on the tension between their desire to maintain some connections to their Amish roots while actively exploring new religious affiliations. The narrative underscores the complex emotional and social negotiations that ensue as they attempt to redefine their identity and faith in the context of both Amish and non-Amish communities. Their journey illuminates the struggles of maintaining family bonds amid significant cultural and religious transitions.

30:09
πŸ“˜ Elsie and Jesse's New Faith Journey

Elsie and Jesse's transition from the Amish to a modern Evangelical Christian faith is chronicled. This shift involves a significant cultural and religious upheaval, as they face excommunication and the consequent shunning from their Amish community. Their narrative highlights the difficult choices individuals must make when their personal beliefs diverge from traditional community doctrines. It also explores the couple's navigation of their new faith community, touching on the challenges of integrating into a new social and religious setting while dealing with the repercussions of leaving their old life behind.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Amish
The Amish are a group of traditionalist Christian church fellowships known for simple living, plain dress, and reluctance to adopt modern conveniences. In the video, they are depicted as living a life separate from the modern world with strict rules governing their lifestyle. The story revolves around individuals questioning these rules and facing excommunication as a result.
πŸ’‘Excommunication
Excommunication is the act of expelling a person from a church or religious community. In the context of the video, it is a severe consequence faced by those who challenge the Amish church's rules, leading to total rejection by their own people. Ephraim and Amanda, for instance, were excommunicated for expressing their Christian faith openly.
πŸ’‘Pennsylvania Dutch
Pennsylvania Dutch refers to a dialect spoken by the Amish and some Mennonites, which is a form of West Central German. It is not the same as the Dutch language. In the video, it is mentioned as the distinctive language passed down from one generation to the next among the Amish, which is different from standard German or English.
πŸ’‘Leukemia
Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects blood-forming tissues, including bone marrow and the blood cells in the bloodstream. In the video, Marie, Ephraim and Amanda's daughter, is diagnosed with leukemia, which becomes a pivotal point in the family's struggle and their reliance on faith and community support.
πŸ’‘Evangelical Christianity
Evangelical Christianity is a diverse global Protestant movement that emphasizes personal faith in Jesus Christ, the authority of the Bible, and the importance of sharing one's faith with others. In the video, Ephraim and others are drawn to this form of Christianity, which is seen as a contrast to the Amish tradition and leads to significant life changes.
πŸ’‘Shunning
Shunning is the practice of deliberately avoiding someone as a form of social rejection. Among the Amish, shunning is a form of church discipline used against members who have been excommunicated. The video describes the emotional impact of shunning on both the individual being shunned and their family members who must participate in the shunning.
πŸ’‘Horse and Buggy
The horse and buggy is a traditional mode of transportation used by the Amish, reflecting their commitment to a simpler, non-motorized lifestyle. In the video, the use of horse and buggy is contrasted with the modern use of cars, symbolizing the cultural gap between the Amish and the outside world.
πŸ’‘Tent Meetings
Tent meetings are gatherings held by various Christian denominations, often in a large tent, for the purpose of worship, preaching, and fellowship. In the video, tent meetings are organized by churches hoping to attract new converts, including those from the Amish community, and represent a challenge to the Amish way of life.
πŸ’‘Cultural Traditions
Cultural traditions refer to the customs, beliefs, and practices that are passed down within a particular culture or group. The Amish are depicted in the video as having a strong adherence to their cultural traditions, which include plain dress, farming, and a rejection of modern technology. These traditions are central to the identity of the Amish community.
πŸ’‘Faith and Healing
Faith and healing involve the belief in the power of prayer and divine intervention to bring about physical or emotional healing. In the video, Ephraim and Amanda's faith is tested when their daughter falls ill, and they grapple with the decision to rely on medical treatment or trust in a miracle for healing.
πŸ’‘Homeschooling
Homeschooling is the education of children at home or elsewhere outside the traditional classroom setting. In the video, Amanda and Ephraim choose to homeschool their children after leaving the Amish community, reflecting their desire to maintain control over their children's education and instill in them their own values and beliefs.
Highlights

The Amish community has a distinct way of life that has remained largely unchanged for nearly 300 years.

Amish people are bound by strict rules that keep the modern world at bay, including prohibitions on using electricity and driving cars.

Two men, Ephraim and Jesse, question the Amish rules and face the consequence of excommunication.

The Amish have a unique language known as Pennsylvania Dutch, which is different from German, and many now speak English as well.

Ephraim runs a dairy farm and struggles with the relentless work and strict Amish rules.

Amish rules are decided in bi-yearly meetings of the Elders, who are the ultimate guardians of the culture.

Ephraim and Amanda sell their farm and contemplate leaving the Amish way of life completely.

Ephraim and Amanda face excommunication for their beliefs and actions, which would lead to total rejection by their community.

The Amish Bible is written in an antiquated German, which many Amish do not understand, leading to misunderstandings of religious teachings.

Ephraim starts questioning the Amish rules after reading the Bible in English and believes he will go to heaven by trusting in Jesus, not by following Amish rules.

The Amish community provides significant support to Ephraim and Amanda during their daughter Marie's battle with leukemia.

Ephraim and Amanda decide to give away their entire life savings to those in need, trusting in God to provide for their future.

Despite being excommunicated, Ephraim and Amanda continue to face the dilemma of leaving the Amish community entirely.

The Amish culture is facing a growing Evangelical movement that encourages reading the Bible in English and challenging traditional Amish beliefs.

Elsie and Jesse are examples of Amish individuals who have left the community to join the Evangelical Christianity movement.

Ephraim's new Christian faith is uncompromising and requires a strict adherence to the Bible, similar to the Amish Church he left.

Transcripts
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