#1 Why Don’t Amish Have Mustaches?
Historically, men in the military would wear mustaches, as well as the men that persecuted the Amish community. Seen as a symbol of one’s non-pacific nature, the Amish are a peaceful group that does not associate with those who waged war.
Essentially, avoiding facial hair growth above the lip is seen as a rejection of the military and war.
Related Scripture(s):
- “They shall not make bald patches on their heads, nor shave off the edges of their beards, nor make any cuts on their body.” – Leviticus 21:5.
Related Video(s):
–
#2 Why Do Amish Men Have Beards?
Beards are frequently mentioned in the Bible, and the Amish take a direct and literal interpretation of the Bible.
Leviticus 19:27 says:
“Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard.”
Not all Amish males will have beards.
Beard growth commences once a man gets married – growing it out to mark his transition into manhood. As a sign of maturation, one is only allowed to stop shaving after wedlock.
–
Related Scripture(s):
- “I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting.” – Isaiah 50:6.
- “For every head is shaved and every beard cut off. On all the hands are gashes, and around the waist is sackcloth.” – Jeremiah 48:37 .
Related Video(s):
- Amish Beard – Everything You Need to Know; June 24th, 2020.
–
#3 Why Do Amish Businesses Succeed So Often?
The reasons why Amish businesses tend to thrive are:
- Community – The Amish believe that friendship and a close knit-community is more important than driving the hardest bargain. Instead of creating a booming economy with ostentatious cash-flow, they prefer to keep business humble yet sustainable.
- Strong Work Ethic – Because they have isolated themselves from the rest of the world, in this sense, their economy has to thrive. They have no choice. If you grew up in this community, you would have a strong work ethic instilled in you at a young age. You would not be reliant upon cars, technology, or machinery to make your craft easier. You would be learning the pillar that is integral to the Amish culture – Work. There are rarely, if ever, days off, and each day marks a new sacrifice.
- Minimal Trades and Honed Crafts – Instead of mimicking the public economy from which they are trying to escape, they keep things smaller. By focusing on a few trades and crafts that they’ve truly mastered, they are able to thrive. The most popular businesses from Amish people are farms, hand-made furniture, quilting, restaurants, buggy-making, and industries, which can be condensed to a market stand.
- Low Expenses – They aren’t paying for electricity, air-conditioning, health insurance, or social security – So expenses can be kept at a minimum. They prioritize avoiding debt and large-scale government programs that breed societal reliance.
- They are Honest – There is an Amish proverb ’a clear conscience is a soft pillow,’ and the Amish believe that by offering their customers a top-quality product, they will make more money in the long-run through repeat business. They would rather create a high-quality product than price-gauge, and this general respect can lead to more customer loyalty in the future. They also choose to trust everyone until proven otherwise and then still trust others (even if one person wrongs you).
Related Scripture(s):
- “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,” – Colossians 3:23.
- “A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight.” – Proverbs 11:1.
- ““You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired servant shall not remain with you all night until the morning.” – Leviticus 19:13.
Related Video(s):
- Success Made Simple – CNN Business – Why Amish Businesses Succeed; Published May 4th, 2010.
–
#4 Why Do Amish People Speak German?
Although they are descendants of Germans that immigrated to Pennsylvania to escape persecution in Europe – The Amish people do not speak a direct German Dialect. Speaking a blended dialect known as Pennsylvania Dutch, this is a language that is native to only the Amish. As this video shows – A German man says, “I recognize every word, but I have no idea what you’re saying.’
Their Pennsylvania Dutch dialect is a combination of German, English, Dutch, and it’s own creation. It is not intended to be understood by outsiders, which is the reason behind its creation. Different Amish communities may have slightly altered versions of the Pennsylvania Dutch language (some of which could be more or less influenced by the Germanic language), meaning some communities may speak more German than others.
Related Scripture(s):
- “The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.” – Isaiah 50:4.
Related Video(s):
- Germans Can’t Speak Pennsylvania Dutch; Published August 19th, 2018.
–
#5 Why Are Amish in Pennsylvania?
As described from the major Amish community, Lancaster, Pennsylvania (Discover Lancaster):
“The Amish have their roots in the Mennonite community. Both were part of the early Anabaptist movement in Europe, which took place at the time of the Reformation. The Anabaptists believed that only adults who had confessed their faith should be baptized, and that they should remain separate from the larger society. Many early Anabaptists were put to death as heretics by both Catholics and Protestants, and many others fled to the mountains of Switzerland and southern Germany. Here began the Amish tradition of farming and holding worship services in homes rather than churches.”
Their story dates back to the 16th century Anabaptist movement in which the Amish, Mennonites, and Brethren faced persecution together. They arrived in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in the early 18th century to escape this persecution that was cast upon them due to their Anabaptist beliefs.
The Lancaster community is the largest Amish territory, as well as the oldest. Once numbering 30,000, the population size has nearly doubled since the turn of the twenty-first century. The Amish and Mennonites both settled in Pennsylvania together as an experiment of religious tolerance. They arrived in Lancaster in the 1720s – 1730s.
Ultimately the reasons that the Amish are in Pennsylvania are due to avoiding:
- Death
- War
- Poverty
- Religious Persecution
So that they could worship and live freely.
Related Scripture(s):
- “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” – John 15:18.
- “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:10.
Related Video(s):
–
#6 Why Are the Amish Called Winkies?
As a word used to describe the Amish, but that is also popular in British slang (paralleled to Wankers), some of the synonyms or ways to describe a Winkie include a person that is:
- Weak
- Ineffectual
- Too friendly
- Attempting to obtain flattery or good favor
- Friendless
- Desperate
- Scared
- Inept
- Useless
- Petrified
- Pathetic
If an Amish person or anyone else is called a winkie, the reasons could be because:
- They are trying too hard
- They come off as too nice
- They seem like people pleasers
- They don’t stand up for themselves
- They appear more mild-tempered than the person addressing them in this cruel manner
Sometimes more dominant personalities only have weak tools in their artillery belts. The accuser doesn’t have much that could hurt the Amish person, so they use these pitiful attempts to demoralize them or make them feel small. It’s a sign of low intelligence to belittle others, a sign that a person is a bully, insecure, and even smaller than the person they’re accusing of being an alleged winkie.
Related Scripture(s):
- “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ – Matthew 25:40.
- “Judge not, that you be not judged.” – Matthew 7:1.
Related Video(s):
- N/a
–
#7 Why Are Amish People’s Teeth Pulled Out?
There are some Amish groups that choose to have their teeth pulled out. This method of extraction is seen as a cheaper alternative than attempting to upkeep their dental hygiene. Since they are not planning to make frequent visits to the local dentist, they may make a single trip to have all of their teeth removed, and then never return.
Many Amish people will opt for dentures as a more affordable and less timely-commitment than having real teeth. They also believe that vanity is the antithesis of God – So caring about one’s appearance and smile could be seen as sinful.
Dentistry is not seen as essential, but a choice.
Despite this, more and more Amish communities are embracing dental care and allowing this case of modern acceptance into their society. As a result, it will depend on how progressive the Amish community is. If they are more progressive, they are more likely to have all of their teeth.
It may also come down to the security of that community. If they are afraid and insecure for their community, they will not want to expose them to any modern luxuries. If they trust their community members and know they will not be tempted, then the dentist is a small risk.
Related Scripture(s):
- “The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him,” – Psalm 37:12.
- “And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” – Mark 9:18.
Related Video(s):
- OwlCation – Why Some Amish Communities Have Their Teeth Pulled Out; August 21st, 2020. “For some Amish groups, it seems a lot more practical and less expensive to have a tooth removed than to go through the process of saving it. Dentures are more cost-effective than lifetime oral care. Having a tooth, a number or teeth, or mouthful of teeth removed is commonplace among the Amish.”
–
#8 Why Are Amish Barns White?
There are different meanings behind different barn colors. For example:
- Blue or black barns can signify protection
- Green barns are painted in the hopes of a fertile crop/success for the farm
- White barns signify purity
- Purple barns can represent a holy connection
- Brown barns may pay respect to mother earth or signify strength/endurance
The Amish seek to keep things simple, pure, and focused on their religious purpose.
White is a simple color that most communities will use for their barns, churches, and homes.
Related Scripture(s):
- “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” – Revelation 20:11-15.
Related Video(s):
#9 Why Are Amish Houses White?
The reasons why Amish houses are painted White include the following:
- It signifies purity
- It appears clean
- It is simple
- It keeps their homes, barns, and business all uniform
- It discourages vanity
- It is traditional
- It is mentioned in the Bible, Revelations, frequently (white horses, white thrones, all pure)
- Ensures attention is not drawn to one individual
Amish leaders claim that it ‘merely relates to tradition and customs.’
Related Scripture(s):
- “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.” – Revelation 19:11-21.
Related Video(s):
- Amish House – Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; May 24th, 2017.
Learn More
If you are interested in learning about other Religions in the world, then check out this book on World’s Religions on Amazon.