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Amish steadfast in their way of life
Published 12:00 p.m., August 3, 2009
When traveling along Highway 29 close to Deer Creek, in eastern Otter Tail County, a person will oftentimes see an Amish horse and buggy. You sometimes see Amish children playing in a yard near a house that’s missing something most of us wouldn’t do without — electrical wires to a meter.
The Amish people, only a 45-minute drive from Fergus Falls, stay true to their heritage. Many of us are amazed — and perhaps even envious — that they still live and work much as their forefathers did. Their families and their farms are their top priorities, second only to God.
Their farm equipment is pulled by teams of horses or mules. Many Amish children attend Amish schools in the Wadena-Bertha area.
The more traditional Amish groups, in different parts of the nation, are called old order. They don’t permit electricity or telephones in their homes. By restricting access to TV and phones, many of the Amish feel they’re better able to keep the modern world from intruding into their home life.
I can’t be alone, while driving past an Amish house near Deer Creek, in wondering what it would be like not to have access to a television and other modern conveniences. However, if you do some research, you’ll find it’s not only the Amish who don’t have televisions in their homes.
I personally know of two non-Amish families in Fergus Falls who don’t have television sets. These people are well rounded individuals who don’t appear to be missing much from not having access to the many channels available.
It’s the simple, peaceful lifestyle of Amish people that attracts such a curiosity in not only Otter Tail County but in other areas of Minnesota and across the nation. They’re also known for their simple but yet dignified styles of clothing.
The Amish have a strong sense of community spirit, and often come to the aid of those in need. Their barn raisings are a good example. As noted on many web sites that provide an insight into the Amish way of life, neighbors freely give of their time and their skills to help one another.
The Amish are private people who, more often than not, find all the attention and curiosity about their lifestyle somewhat disturbing. They believe that taking photographs where someone is recognizable is forbidden by Biblical teachings. It’s well and good that we respect their desire for privacy.
Many people have come to better know the Amish through their furniture craftsmanship and the making of quilts, shared with the outside world.
Amish craftsmen take pride in what they do and provide people with the highest quality furniture. Most Amish craftsmen make every effort to ensure that every piece of furniture they make is constructed to retain its beauty for many years. Most, if not all, of the furniture is built from solid northern hardwoods that don’t contain any veneers or particle board.
Amish builders take their time in order to keep their standards high. For many buyers, it’s worth the wait — oftentimes two to three months.
These days we hear commentators and others talk about restoring family values. Many people agree that much can be learned from studying the Amish way of life. Their devotion to family and community, in addition to a strong work ethic, are examples that we can and should follow.
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The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post. To post a comment you will need to register. Or, if you're already registered but have not included your true, verifiable identity with your registration, you will need to update your account to include your identity. Effective Dec. 1, 2009, all posts appear with the commenter's true identity, which must be verified by site staff. Those who registered prior to Dec. 1, 2009, should be aware that once you update your information with your true identity, all prior posts under your user name will also indicate your true identity. If you do not wish to link yourself to prior comments, you should register again with a different user name.Posted by pilsnerurquel (anonymous) on August 3, 2009 at 6:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The Amish also run puppy mills and have been known to starve their livestock. Next time you're on Hwy 29 between Deer Creek and Wadena, take close look at the Amish farm on the right hand side of the road with the M & M Greenhouse sign in their yard. Their horses are skin and bones with no grass to graze on and no hay to eat. It's disgusting the amount of animal cruelty in the Amish culture. They may live a simple life but I assure you they are far from perfect.
Posted by horseygirl (Geri Hammer) on August 4, 2009 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
These are my thoughts exactly. I have dogs and horses and it makes me sick to drive by and see these starved and beaten down animals. This treatment is not the way my God wants me to treat my animals. There is no admiration, just pure disgust for these hypocritical group of people.
Posted by adajane (anonymous) on August 4, 2009 at 2:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's not fair to condemn an entire group of people because of one family's mistreatment of animals. All of the above comments sound like they are based on the same farm. If this is the case, do something about it and turn in a complaint to your local authorities. Griping on this forum isn't doing the animals any good. ALL humans are sinners and have faults. I don't think anyone has ever heard the Amish say they are "perfect". Don't assume what you don't know and, certainly, don't understand.
Posted by mccain08 (anonymous) on August 5, 2009 at 1:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
they have electric power saws, vinyl siding, and sell baskets in the dairy queen parking lot in staples. may as well drive a ford.
Posted by pilsnerurquel (anonymous) on August 5, 2009 at 7:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Adajane, I am very well versed in the ways of Amish and happen to know a lot more than you are giving me credit for. The Amish culture is to blame for their ill treatment of animals, not just one family.
Posted by BobWilliams (Bob Williams) on August 5, 2009 at 11:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You don't have to be Amish to turn off your television.
Posted by bhumble (anonymous) on August 5, 2009 at 6:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Redcloud and pilsnerurquel are idiots. The Amana Colonies are in no way related to the Amish. They were settled by a pietist sect that lived communally until the 1930's. They are known for their excellent resturants and craft.
The Amish aren't perfect. Like any group they have their share of problems. There are many puppy mills and cases of animal cruelty in the greater non Amish population.
It is wrong to criticize an entire group on the actions of a few. The Amish reaction in Nickle Mines, PA after the massacre of the young female students reflect more on their character than do puppy mills. Not only did they forgive the murderer, but they embraced his family. Many Amish attended his funeral. One young girl in the school asked to be shot first, her sister asking to be next. How as America in general reacted to similar situations.
Brad
Posted by bhumble (anonymous) on August 5, 2009 at 10:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I didn't say they weren't Amish. I said that puppy mills and animal cruelty are a problem with many groups, whiote black, Amish and the Amana Society is the largest private beef producer in Iowa, but they still aren't Amish.
Posted by pilsnerurquel (anonymous) on August 6, 2009 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow, Bhumble, such hostility. You need to open a book and do some research on the Amish culture. Or better yet, get out of your house and into an Amish society so you can see with your own eyes the cruelty the rest of us have witnessed. It's ignorant to deny such abuse occurs and even more ignorant to assume you are an expert on the subject.
Posted by bhumble (anonymous) on August 6, 2009 at 9:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I was refering to the puppy mills when I said I did not say thet weren't Amish. They probably are.
But the Amana Colonies are in no way related to the Amish. The Amana Society is the largest privately owned beef producer. I did not make that clear.
Amana gets it's name from the Song of Solomon 8.3. The word word amana means to "Be True".
The Amish get their name from the religous leader Jacob Amann, a religous leader who broke away from the Mennonite Church.
Being Humble
Posted by adajane (anonymous) on August 6, 2009 at 3:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So, did anyone report them to the authorities yet? If that's your big issue......
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