Most Americans are fascinated with the Amish, but know little about them except for the contrast they see between their lifestyle and that of the Amish.

Most popular Amish images seen on post cards and in books focus on their visual symbols of separation from the modern world-plain dress, farms and horse and buggy transportation.

At first glance, they all appear to be alike. A deeper look, however, reveals a variety of different practices. While some church districts allow milking machines, gas-powered hay balers pulled by horses, bicycles, and gas refrigerators, others do not. Church rules control both personal and religious life, including dress, hairstyle, transportation, and use of technology and non-use of electricity.

What Amish do have in common, in addition to their Anabaptist history and tradition, is a belief in adult baptism, nonviolence, separation of church and state, and a literal obedience to the scriptural teachings of Jesus.

As a photojournalist, my aim is to document through photographs the lifestyles of a Christian people who have prospered in America since first arriving in the mid-1700s. I hope that these images will reveal to you the essence of what it means to be Amish and evoke a sense of wonder and curiosity that will kindle a desire to understand them. And, perhaps, by actually understanding the Amish, we may be able to gain a different perspective of our own contemporary world.

Copyright © 2004 Randy Karr