1. Driving Cars
Mennonites, especially those who are part of the more progressive branches, often use cars for transportation, which is a practice strictly forbidden by the Amish. For the Amish, using cars represents a potential for too much attachment to modern conveniences and a loss of their commitment to simplicity. In contrast, Mennonites embrace cars as a means of convenience and practicality, often using them for both business and personal purposes. This shift allows Mennonites to be more mobile and integrated into the modern world while still maintaining their religious values.
Amish communities, however, tend to rely on horse-drawn buggies for travel, a method that connects them to the past and helps maintain the separation from the outside world. This difference in transportation is one of the most visible signs of divergence between the two groups. While both emphasize community and humility, the Mennonites’ embrace of modern tools like cars helps them balance their faith with participation in the modern economy.
2. Using Electricity
Mennonites are generally more accepting of electricity in their homes, with many modern Mennonite communities using it for everything from lighting to heating. They believe that the use of electricity does not conflict with their spiritual values if it is used appropriately and does not cause worldly distractions. In some cases, they may even use the internet for educational or business purposes, as long as they remain grounded in their faith.
The Amish, on the other hand, reject the use of electricity, viewing it as a connection to the outside world that could lead to a loss of their way of life. They believe that electricity fosters too much temptation, whether in the form of entertainment or unnecessary comforts. Their homes are powered by alternative means, such as gas lamps and propane appliances, to keep their lives simple and focused on community and faith.
3. Attending Public Schools
Mennonite families often send their children to public schools, seeing education as an important way to prepare their children for a role in society. While they still emphasize religious instruction at home or in church-run schools, Mennonites believe that public education can provide a well-rounded foundation for their children’s futures. In addition, many Mennonites pursue higher education, including attending colleges and universities.
Amish communities, by contrast, tend to have their own schools where children are taught up until the eighth grade. They believe that this limited education will be enough to equip their children for their roles in the community, especially in farming and craftsmanship. The Amish see public schools as an unnecessary influence that could lead their children away from their simple way of life.
4. Wearing Modern Clothing
Mennonites often wear simple, modest clothing, but their dress is generally more modern than that of the Amish. For instance, Mennonite women may wear dresses and head coverings, but the styles tend to reflect contemporary fashions, while Amish women wear much more traditional, plain dresses and bonnets that adhere to older styles. Similarly, Mennonite men may wear suits or slacks, which can look quite similar to the mainstream fashion, while Amish men wear plain trousers and suspenders.
The Amish believe that modern clothing promotes vanity and attachment to the world, so they adhere strictly to traditional clothing to maintain humility and separation. While Mennonites still prioritize modesty, their more flexible approach to clothing allows them to participate more fully in contemporary culture.
5. Using Telephones
Mennonites, especially in more liberal sects, commonly use telephones in their homes and workplaces for communication. This allows them to maintain contact with family members, business associates, and the larger world. Some Mennonites may even use cell phones for convenience, although they might avoid smartphones that offer distractions like social media.
The Amish, however, prohibit the use of telephones in their homes. They believe that phone calls, especially those that occur within the home, can disrupt the family’s unity and encourage unnecessary interactions with the outside world. For the Amish, using a phone is seen as a way to invite distractions that conflict with their values of community and separation from modern society.
6. Watching Television
Mennonites who allow for some degree of modern technology may have televisions in their homes, watching programs that align with their religious values or contribute to their understanding of the world. Some Mennonites even have cable or satellite service, though they often limit what content they consume to avoid worldly influences. Many families enjoy watching educational or family-friendly programming together.
In stark contrast, the Amish do not permit television in their homes, as they see it as a source of worldly influence that could lead them away from their faith. Amish communities place a high value on face-to-face interaction and are wary of the distractions that come with modern entertainment. Television, to them, represents a form of consumerism that can pull people away from a simple, devout life.
7. Using Computers
Computers, particularly those used for work or education, are commonly accepted in Mennonite homes and businesses. They are used to run small businesses, communicate with family members, and access educational materials. Mennonites who use computers often regulate their use to avoid distractions, but they view the technology as an essential tool for living in the modern world while staying true to their faith.
The Amish, on the other hand, avoid using computers entirely, viewing them as a bridge to the outside world that could encourage unnecessary communication and lead to an attachment to worldly things. They reject the convenience of computers in favor of a more intentional, community-based way of life. This avoidance is central to their practice of maintaining a simple, separate existence.
8. Going on Vacation
Many Mennonites enjoy traveling for leisure, whether it’s taking a vacation to a different part of the country or even going abroad. They see travel as an opportunity for relaxation, personal growth, and cultural exchange. Mennonites who travel often do so with their families, visiting places that align with their values, such as historical sites or religious landmarks.
The Amish, however, generally do not go on vacations. Their lifestyle focuses on the needs of the community and farming, and leisure travel is seen as unnecessary and extravagant. For the Amish, a vacation could be seen as an indulgence that takes time away from work and family, which they prioritize above all else.
9. Shopping at Supermarkets
Mennonites frequently shop at mainstream supermarkets and stores for their groceries, clothing, and household items. They may prefer to shop at small, local stores, but they do not reject the convenience of supermarkets. The key is that they focus on purchasing what is needed without becoming consumed by consumerism, as they see their material needs as secondary to their spiritual well-being.
The Amish typically avoid supermarkets, preferring instead to buy goods from small, local businesses or make everything they need themselves. They believe that large-scale commerce encourages a level of materialism that distracts from a simple life. For the Amish, the act of shopping at a supermarket goes against their ideals of community and simplicity.
10. Using the Internet
Some Mennonites, particularly those in more progressive sects, have embraced the internet as a tool for communication, business, and learning. They use it to stay connected with distant family members, research information, and even run online businesses. The internet is seen as a tool that can be used wisely, as long as it does not interfere with their religious life.
The Amish, however, do not use the internet in their daily lives. They see it as a source of distractions, and the potential to lead to unnecessary communication with the outside world is something they want to avoid. The Amish believe that the internet could cause individuals to stray from their spiritual focus and diminish the sense of community that is so important to their way of life.
11. Celebrating Holidays Like Christmas
While Mennonites observe traditional Christian holidays like Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving, they do so in a manner that reflects their religious beliefs and values. They may exchange gifts, decorate their homes, and participate in public celebrations, although their approach is often simpler than the secular celebrations found in mainstream society. For many Mennonites, holidays are times of reflection and family togetherness, rather than commercial or indulgent affairs.
The Amish, however, celebrate these holidays with less emphasis on material aspects like gift-giving and decorations. For the Amish, the focus is on the religious significance of the holidays, and they avoid the consumerism that often accompanies them in the wider world. While they celebrate Christmas, for example, they do not embrace the commercial aspects and tend to keep their festivities simple and centered on faith.
12. Engaging in Politics
Mennonites, particularly those in more liberal branches, may engage in politics by voting, running for office, or participating in civic duties. They believe it is their responsibility to be engaged citizens, while still adhering to the values of peace and nonviolence that are central to their faith. Many Mennonites see involvement in politics as a way to influence society positively and make a difference in the world.
The Amish, however, avoid political participation, including voting or running for office. Their commitment to separation from the world extends to politics, as they believe that engaging in government could lead them to compromise their religious values. For the Amish, their role is to focus on their community and faith, leaving political matters to others.