Readers' Forum
“Planning to please”
In "Planning to please” (Parsiana, December 7, 2011) the editor’s note states: "The racial definition of Parsi Zoroastrian only may be violative of US laws.” This is incorrect. Please read the following facts about the Amish, an exclusive sect who are US citizens, and stop spreading falsehoods about my country and my religion due to ignorance.
According to Wikipedia, the Amish or Pennsylvania Dutch "are a group of Christian church fellowships that form a subgroup of the Mennonite churches. The Amish are known for simple living, plain dress and reluctance to adopt many conveniences of modern technology.
"The history of the Amish church began with a schism in Switzerland within a group of Swiss and Alsatian Anabaptists in 1693 led by Jakob Ammann. Those who followed Ammann became known as Amish. These followers were originally from three main places: the German-speaking parts of Switzerland, Alsace (now part of France), and the Palatinate of Germany. In the early 18th century, many Amish and Mennonites immigrated to Pennsylvania for a variety of reasons. Today, the most traditional descendants of the Amish continue to speak Pennsylvania German, also known as Pennsylvania Dutch. However, a dialect of Swiss German predominates in some Old Order Amish communities, especially in the American state of Indiana. A 2008 study suggested their numbers have increased to 227,000, and in 2010 a new study suggested their population had grown by 10 percent in the past two years to 249,000, with increasing movement to the West.
"Amish church membership begins with baptism, usually between the ages of 16 and 25. It is a requirement for marriage, and once a person has affiliated with the church, he or she may only marry within the faith. Church districts average between 20 and 40 families, and worship services are held every other Sunday in a member’s home. The district is led by a bishop and several ministers and deacons.
"The rules of the church must be observed by every member. These rules cover most aspects of day-to-day living, and include prohibitions or limitations on the use of power-line electricity, telephones and automobiles, as well as regulations on clothing. Many Amish church members may not buy insurance or accept government assistance. Amish members practice nonresistance and will not perform any type of military service. Members who do not conform to these expectations and who cannot be convinced to repent are excommunicated. In addition to excommunication, members may be shunned, a practice that limits social contacts to shame the wayward member into returning to the church. During adolescence… nonconforming behavior that would result in the shunning of an adult who had made the permanent commitment of baptism, may meet with a degree of forbearance.
"Amish church groups seek to maintain a degree of separation from the non-Amish world. There is generally a heavy emphasis on church and family relationships. They typically operate their own one-room schools and discontinue formal education at grade eight. They value rural life, manual labor and humility. Because of a smaller gene pool, some groups have increased incidences of certain inheritable conditions.”
PORUS N. DADABHOY
Chicago, Illinois, USA
porusdad@yahoo.com
According to Wikipedia, the Amish or Pennsylvania Dutch "are a group of Christian church fellowships that form a subgroup of the Mennonite churches. The Amish are known for simple living, plain dress and reluctance to adopt many conveniences of modern technology.
"The history of the Amish church began with a schism in Switzerland within a group of Swiss and Alsatian Anabaptists in 1693 led by Jakob Ammann. Those who followed Ammann became known as Amish. These followers were originally from three main places: the German-speaking parts of Switzerland, Alsace (now part of France), and the Palatinate of Germany. In the early 18th century, many Amish and Mennonites immigrated to Pennsylvania for a variety of reasons. Today, the most traditional descendants of the Amish continue to speak Pennsylvania German, also known as Pennsylvania Dutch. However, a dialect of Swiss German predominates in some Old Order Amish communities, especially in the American state of Indiana. A 2008 study suggested their numbers have increased to 227,000, and in 2010 a new study suggested their population had grown by 10 percent in the past two years to 249,000, with increasing movement to the West.
"Amish church membership begins with baptism, usually between the ages of 16 and 25. It is a requirement for marriage, and once a person has affiliated with the church, he or she may only marry within the faith. Church districts average between 20 and 40 families, and worship services are held every other Sunday in a member’s home. The district is led by a bishop and several ministers and deacons.
"The rules of the church must be observed by every member. These rules cover most aspects of day-to-day living, and include prohibitions or limitations on the use of power-line electricity, telephones and automobiles, as well as regulations on clothing. Many Amish church members may not buy insurance or accept government assistance. Amish members practice nonresistance and will not perform any type of military service. Members who do not conform to these expectations and who cannot be convinced to repent are excommunicated. In addition to excommunication, members may be shunned, a practice that limits social contacts to shame the wayward member into returning to the church. During adolescence… nonconforming behavior that would result in the shunning of an adult who had made the permanent commitment of baptism, may meet with a degree of forbearance.
"Amish church groups seek to maintain a degree of separation from the non-Amish world. There is generally a heavy emphasis on church and family relationships. They typically operate their own one-room schools and discontinue formal education at grade eight. They value rural life, manual labor and humility. Because of a smaller gene pool, some groups have increased incidences of certain inheritable conditions.”
PORUS N. DADABHOY
Chicago, Illinois, USA
porusdad@yahoo.com
The editors reply
The Amish permit converts. The qualification for Parsis is having a Parsi father.
The Amish permit converts. The qualification for Parsis is having a Parsi father.
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