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.

At first glance, Amish all appear to be alike. A deeper look, however, reveals that practices vary between settlements. While some settlements allow milking machines, gas powered hay balers pulled by horses, bicycles, and gas refrigerators, others do not. Church rules, collectively called the Ordnung, or Order, 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 strict obedience to the scriptural teachings of Jesus.

As a Christian people, the Amish have prospered in America since first arriving in the mid-1700s. I hope 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 © 2005 Randy Karr