"Amish Experience" a Lancaster Travel Page by sushart

Part of Lancaster County's old-fashioned charm and homespun warmth stems from the Amish population -- the families, farmers and craftsmen who follow a deeply religious, family-centered lifestyle that has maintained this tradition through a simple way of life that has not adopted the mainstream culture, yet has adapted in many necessary ways throughout the last 300 years.

Forgoing "outside world" luxuries, the Amish who grace the small towns and farmlands present a fascinating and authentic horse-and-buggy contrast to the hustle and bustle of the 21st century.

On the surface, the Amish lifestyle might appear to be staid and inflexible. However, it reflects a way of life that is based on a literal interpretation of the Bible, as well as unwritten rules from the Amish Ordnung that prescribes behavior, appearance and other aspects of the Amish culture.

Please note: Most Amish consider posing for photographs to be an unacceptable act of pride. For this reason, visitors are respectfully requested to refrain from taking photos or video images of the Amish.

While farming was not an integral tenet of Anabaptism, agriculture has always been a major part of the Amish lifestyle. Believing that practical knowledge, hard work and long hours are the "technological marvels" that make farm life fruitful, they practice impressive levels of thrift and self-sufficiency which they believe are mandated by the Bible. Accordingly, they attribute their successes in farming to divine blessing.

In the Amish view, "progress" is not assumed to mean "something better." Amish do not fully accept the modern conveniences that non-Amish take for granted. While it is accepted within Amish communities to use some electricity in limited forms, such as battery power for the lights on their buggies, and some machinery, such as tractors without rubber tires, most elements from mainstream society -- such as electricity throughout their homes, TV, computer, and modern tractors -- are considered to be tempting elements from an "outside world" that could lead them away from their close-knit community or weaken the family structure.