Interesting Amish Documentary

[Innocent Lamb]

I was watching a documentary about 5 Amish teens who were visiting England and staying with different families to get a taste of the outside world. They met hip-hop dancers, a Muslim girl, and some guys that played in a band at an event that looked like a mini-Woodstock.

What struck me was that, although they were much more sheltered, they were far less judgemental than your average fundamentalist. (At least, the ones I've run across.) They asked lots of questions ("Why do you like dancing?" "Why do you like your music so loud?") but they were asking them for information, not to judge. One girl and several of the boys even tried out dancing, and had fun. They also explained their culture (why they dress the way they do, why they choose not to listen to rock music, etc.) but they were not defensive. One of the girls expressed sadness that she didn't want "all of these nice people to go to hell," referring to some of the people she met who did not profess to be Christians. She also said that, after meeting the Muslim girl who she liked very much, it made her wonder how anyone can know that they are right with all the different religions in the world. It was clear that they were going into this with an open mind, truly wanting to learn.

They even admitted on camera that while some of their habits are backed up by scripture, others are just part of their traditional culture. That impressed me, since the fundamentalists I know think they can back up EVERYTHING they do/say/think with scripture and therefore tell you how wrong you are for not doing the same.

In all, I was left with a more favorable view of the Amish community, which I previously knew very little about. I wasn't thrilled with some of their patriarchal sentiments, but I appreciated their honesty and sincerity. And you know what else? They never tried to pressure one single person to believe as they believe.

Did anyone else see this? I think it was on National Geographic.

[elfdream]

I haven't seen this particular one but I have seen other documentaries about the Amish. They are pretty much like any other group. You will have your liberals, moderates and the fundys. It sounds like these young people are probably in the moderate group. They hold onto their faith but aren't going to go on and on about how 'right' they are.

But there are some hard liners in the Amish community just like everywhere else. I don't know how much of an influence they are...just that they exist.

[Darrell]

My Amish ancestors used to run the town liquor still. And my Amish great-grandma used to sneak out of her window at night and go to dances in the graveyard (the one place folks wouldn't tend to be looking for you at night).

They're people pretty much like any other people.

[elfdream]

(06-22-2011 12:23 PM)Darrell Wrote:  My Amish ancestors used to run the town liquor still. And my Amish great-grandma used to sneak out of her window at night and go to dances in the graveyard (the one place folks wouldn't tend to be looking for you at night).

They're people pretty much like any other people.

Thanks. Now I have a mental image of Amish kids dancing in a graveyard. That would probably make a great book cover!

[Innocent Lamb]

(06-22-2011 12:23 PM)Darrell Wrote:  They're people pretty much like any other people.

I'm not sure if that's what the documentary meant to show, but that's basically the impression I was left with. Despite the funny hats and aprons and horse and buggy riding... these kids were truly just normal kids who liked to have fun, and meet new people, and were curious about the world.

The kids they chose to put on the documentary were very likeable and refreshing. I was thinking the whole time, "If these were some hard-core fundy kids dropped off at this outdoor rock concert with all the dancing and pot smoking, their heads would be exploding left and right!" The Amish kids did not aprrove, but they looked at it more as a learning experience rather than an opportunity to rain down hellfire and damnation.

[Scorpio]

(06-22-2011 12:23 PM)Darrell Wrote:  And my Amish great-grandma used to sneak out of her window at night and go to dances in the graveyard

Well now we know where you got your rebellious spirit from.
That is a cool story though.

[Darrell]

(06-23-2011 06:08 PM)Scorpio Wrote:  Well now we know where you got your rebellious spirit from.

I never thought about it quite that way but you're probably not wrong.

[Away-From-The-Umbrella]

(06-22-2011 12:06 PM)Innocent Lamb Wrote:  I was watching a documentary about 5 Amish teens who were visiting England and staying with different families to get a taste of the outside world. They met hip-hop dancers, a Muslim girl, and some guys that played in a band at an event that looked like a mini-Woodstock.

What struck me was that, although they were much more sheltered, they were far less judgemental than your average fundamentalist. (At least, the ones I've run across.) They asked lots of questions ("Why do you like dancing?" "Why do you like your music so loud?") but they were asking them for information, not to judge. One girl and several of the boys even tried out dancing, and had fun. They also explained their culture (why they dress the way they do, why they choose not to listen to rock music, etc.) but they were not defensive. One of the girls expressed sadness that she didn't want "all of these nice people to go to hell," referring to some of the people she met who did not profess to be Christians. She also said that, after meeting the Muslim girl who she liked very much, it made her wonder how anyone can know that they are right with all the different religions in the world. It was clear that they were going into this with an open mind, truly wanting to learn.

They even admitted on camera that while some of their habits are backed up by scripture, others are just part of their traditional culture. That impressed me, since the fundamentalists I know think they can back up EVERYTHING they do/say/think with scripture and therefore tell you how wrong you are for not doing the same.

In all, I was left with a more favorable view of the Amish community, which I previously knew very little about. I wasn't thrilled with some of their patriarchal sentiments, but I appreciated their honesty and sincerity. And you know what else? They never tried to pressure one single person to believe as they believe.

Did anyone else see this? I think it was on National Geographic.

I saw it too and thought it brought to light a lot of their legalistic beliefs. I hope being out in the world for a while was a mind-opening experience for them. It appears it was from some of their comments.

The girls were pretty judgemental of the girls in bathing suits and even commented that the female surfing instructors were trying to be like the men.

[Tony Mel]

Don't the IFB send missionaries to the Amish?

[Darrell]

Yes, I've known a couple.