The "So Who Are These People That Ride In Buggies? - Part I" Story

A buggy parking lot similar to the lot at Costco.

It was an ordinary day.  Taking another couple to visit our local Costco which is referred to as a wholesale shopping warehouse.  Parked the car and as we walked toward the entrance, to the right we saw five Amish horse and buggies tied under a covered garage-type unit.  Not uncommon to see that sight in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  When Carol and I travel we are frequently questioned about the Amish when others find we are from an area of the United States that has a large population of Amish.  

Amish buggy on the roads of Lancaster County. 

So, for those who may never have seen an Amish buggy in the lane of traffic in front of you, or may not know the differences between the Amish and their brethren, the Mennonites, I will give you a brief look into both worlds.  When the Protestant Reformation began, Martin Luther led the way against the Roman Catholic Church in Europe.  At the same time, Ulrich Zwingli emerged as a religious reformer in Zurich.  Both men advocated a new Christian order.  

Martin Luther

They preached the Bible in a more common language so the peasants could understand the Bible and told that the grace of God and forgiveness of sins were available to all by faith alone.  Turmoil prevailed!  In the midst of this was a group who called themselves Brethren who formed a fellowship.  They were called Anabaptists which meant "rebaptizers".  They were subject to ill-treatment and hostility by the Catholic Church as well as the Reformers due to their beliefs. The Anabaptists believed in adult baptism upon confession of faith and like the early Christian church, separated from the world and the state.  Their movement spread quickly and soon their leaders, as well as many of the Anabaptists, were put to death.  

Jacob Amman

They were forced to meet at night or worship in secrecy.  The best known leader was Menno Simons who was a Catholic priest who joined the movement in 1536.  His leadership and prolific writings unified the Anabaptists and they soon were nicknamed "Mennonites".  Today there are Mennonites of many races and tongues in over 50 countries around the world.  Lancaster County is rich in Mennonite communities and churches.  But, they aren't the true Amish as you probably picture Amish.  In 1693 a young Swiss Mennonite elder who felt the church was losing purity broke with his brethren and formed a new Christian fellowship.  His name was Jacob Amman and his followers were nicknamed "Amish".  

Amish buggy on a local road.  Young Amish boys walk nearby.

Today most Amish groups consider themselves conserva- tive cousins of the Mennonites.  Most "Old Order" Amish live in the United States, but some can be found in Canada.  Both Amish and Mennonites are devoted to the Christian faith and life.  Contrary to the belief of many, neither are a cult!  Both the Amish and Mennonites beliefs are: (1) The one and only God has revealed Himself as existing eternally as Father, Son and Holy Spirit; (2) The Bible is the authoritative Word of God while the New Testament is the fulfillment of the Old Testament; (3) God has created and continues to sustain all things; (4) Humankind is sinful; (5) The church is the visible expression of those who voluntarily commit themselves to a life of holiness and love; and (6) Christ will personally return to judge the world, raise the dead and usher in the glorious future of the kingdom of God.  

Evening scene along a road in Lancaster County, PA.

There are other distinctive beliefs, but these vary with different groups such as: Bible-centered- ness pervades all of one's life and faith; there is a forgiving love in all of life which causes most groups to refuse to participate in war; they also believe in "nonconformity" which for some groups call for distinctive appearance (mode of dress) as well as mode of transportation (Amish buggy).  Amish groups tend to be more cautious on technology and involvement with the world than their Mennonite brethren.  

One of my hand-altered Polaroid prints made of a buggy.

Amish use horse-drawn buggies, dress "plain", refrain from the use of electricity and emphasize occupations close to the farm and home and forbid higher education.  Mennonites embrace education and technology, accept the stress which comes from modern life and encourages fellowship through worldwide missionary activities.  If you may remember, I wrote a two-part story on building Amish buggies where I told of most all employees of the Amish shop having cell phones.  That is different, I was told, than having a land-line phone, since they are not physically connected to the outside world through a wire.  During my next couple of posts I will give you more of a look at the Amish of Lancaster County as I see them.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.