A review of An Amish Paradox about the Amish. It contains themes that have been much discussed here before, but I found it an interesting. Some quotes that caught my eye:
I originally picked it up because I was interested in the ways our technological choices shape who we are and how we live, and I thought the Amish might be a good case study of how to pick and choose among them (or even opt out of some things entirely). As I read, though, I had the sinking realization that it doesn’t work that way. Consider, for example, the Andy Weavers, who have opted out of not just milking machines but tractors, portable generators, hydraulic power, balers, bicycles, power lawnmowers, garden tillers, freezers, and computers. Aside from a few who can make a living selling organic produce at a premium, they’ve almost all left the land to work in factories and shops. The Old Order, on the other hand, are much willing to use those when it makes economic sense, so they’re much more likely to still be farming.
In 2005, a whopping 97% of twentysomethings from Andy Weaver families had joined the church, trailed by 86% for the Old Order and a mere 60% for the New....
And perhaps that’s the real reason the New Order are less likely to stay: their approach to personal spirituality and family identity aren’t so different from non-Amish conservative Protestant homeschoolers. As Hurst and McConnell put it, “[New Order] young people who move up a step have only to acquire a car and electronics rather than a whole new mindset.”
cooper wrote: ↑Sat Dec 20, 2025 1:24 pm
A review of An Amish Paradox about the Amish. It contains themes that have been much discussed here before, but I found it an interesting. Some quotes that caught my eye:
I originally picked it up because I was interested in the ways our technological choices shape who we are and how we live, and I thought the Amish might be a good case study of how to pick and choose among them (or even opt out of some things entirely). As I read, though, I had the sinking realization that it doesn’t work that way. Consider, for example, the Andy Weavers, who have opted out of not just milking machines but tractors, portable generators, hydraulic power, balers, bicycles, power lawnmowers, garden tillers, freezers, and computers. Aside from a few who can make a living selling organic produce at a premium, they’ve almost all left the land to work in factories and shops. The Old Order, on the other hand, are much willing to use those when it makes economic sense, so they’re much more likely to still be farming.
In 2005, a whopping 97% of twentysomethings from Andy Weaver families had joined the church, trailed by 86% for the Old Order and a mere 60% for the New....
And perhaps that’s the real reason the New Order are less likely to stay: their approach to personal spirituality and family identity aren’t so different from non-Amish conservative Protestant homeschoolers. As Hurst and McConnell put it, “[New Order] young people who move up a step have only to acquire a car and electronics rather than a whole new mindset.”
It should be noted that groups like the Swartzentrubers or Hoover Mennonites also rejected things like tractors, bicycles, power lawnmowers, freezers, computers, and so forth, yet they have continued to farm (quite profitably so) and retain most of their young people.
It should be noted they are more likely to engage in growing produce versus row crop type of commodity farming.
cooper wrote: ↑Sat Dec 20, 2025 1:24 pm
A review of An Amish Paradox about the Amish. It contains themes that have been much discussed here before, but I found it an interesting. Some quotes that caught my eye:
I originally picked it up because I was interested in the ways our technological choices shape who we are and how we live, and I thought the Amish might be a good case study of how to pick and choose among them (or even opt out of some things entirely). As I read, though, I had the sinking realization that it doesn’t work that way. Consider, for example, the Andy Weavers, who have opted out of not just milking machines but tractors, portable generators, hydraulic power, balers, bicycles, power lawnmowers, garden tillers, freezers, and computers. Aside from a few who can make a living selling organic produce at a premium, they’ve almost all left the land to work in factories and shops. The Old Order, on the other hand, are much willing to use those when it makes economic sense, so they’re much more likely to still be farming.
In 2005, a whopping 97% of twentysomethings from Andy Weaver families had joined the church, trailed by 86% for the Old Order and a mere 60% for the New....
And perhaps that’s the real reason the New Order are less likely to stay: their approach to personal spirituality and family identity aren’t so different from non-Amish conservative Protestant homeschoolers. As Hurst and McConnell put it, “[New Order] young people who move up a step have only to acquire a car and electronics rather than a whole new mindset.”
It should be noted that groups like the Swartzentrubers or Hoover Mennonites also rejected things like tractors, bicycles, power lawnmowers, freezers, computers, and so forth, yet they have continued to farm (quite profitably so) and retain most of their young people.
It should be noted they are more likely to engage in growing produce versus row crop type of commodity farming.
It seems to me, the “Produce Auctions” have greatly benefit the Swartzentrubers by providing a way to sell their produce and allow them to be successful farmers.
It would be interesting to be an unseen visitor observing growing up in each of these types of orders and hear what’s said & taught to the children regarding staying or leaving their particular church- a lot of formers have said more scare tactic warnings are used in the strictest orders.
Do New Orders practice shunning or The Bann on those who leave? In the strictest groups when you leave, you lose your family- it’s a huge loss-the cost is high in that regard.
During an almost blizzard at a bus stop I invited a young 17 yr old Swartzentruber to tske shelter in my car - we had a good talk. He impressed me - I asked if he planned on joining the Church and he said he planned to the next year, he did not want to be a part of this evil world.
Do New Orders practice shunning or The Bann on those who leave? In the strictest groups when you leave, you lose your family- it’s a huge loss-the cost is high in that regard.
At this point New Orders are stricter about this than the Old Order Amish, last I heard.