Having just watched the docu...about the Amish sect in Americas mid-west..

[Bobbisox]

When we went on hols I recorded this 4 parter, did anyone watch it?
They live very simple lives, no electricity just oil lamps, the girls are Virgins when the marry and openly declare their subservience to their husbands...but they are extremely happy with their lives.. why is it we think we have it all ?
there is no fighting and nastiness, they do everything together and I saw it, religion was a big part of their framework but not in a corrupt way.

[ummmm]

There life looked quite ideal. The thing I like about them is that they give the youngsters a chance to experience the 'outside' life and let them make a choice.

[pastafreak]

Have a look here Bobbie....

http://www.theanswerb...y/Question925605.html

I think we were all in agreement about their lifestyle,and almost envious of them. It really makes a change to see a group that is so content and certain about the worth of their lifestyle. Something many of us don't have.

[woofgang]

but of course the ones who wouldn't be content don't stay.

[ummmm]

And they have that choice Woof.....unlike many religions.

[ummmm]

Did you watch that programme last night Doc? When cousins marry?

Doesn't look like much interbreeding goes on within the Amish...

[Bbbananas]

I only saw the last episode - but the kids themselves seemed great. I wish I'd seen the whole series.

[pastafreak]

You can catch it on 4OD,salla...well worth watching.

[jake-the-peg]

You're only seeing a small part of this community in this documentary, by definition the more liberal groups

Many of these people are only on the fringes of the Amish community. Other documenteries have talked to ex-members who's church elders have a vice-like grip over their communities to the point of dictating the colour of the braces that they are allowed to wear.

They were not allowed to read their bibles in a language that they could understand and were forced to take their church elders' word as law.

Obey me without question and I'll look after you is the sales pitch of the fascist throughout history

[ummmm]

It's was about the amount of Pakistani children born with genetic birth defect due to marrying their cousins.

Have a look on C4 catch up. You'll find it interesting.

[pastafreak]

C4 is doing some great documentaries now..... :-)

Where's Geordie...has she deserted her thread?

[Bobbisox]

sorry Yankee, got Ben and he was asking for something to eat...lol
I agree Dad Amish looked scary doc, jtp there are apparently 'different churches' within the Amish, some stricter than others, I thought their lifestyle was simple and fulfilling yet how many could acclimatize to it in our culture of greed and avarice

[Bobbisox]

sorry for the repeated post folks I was away on the 8th...:-0)

[Ankou]

but they only live their peaceful pacifist existence because others fought to gain and retain the same liberties for which they enjoy.

[ABerrant]

The high incidence of birth defects found within the Amish community has been well documented for decades.

[Bobbisox]

are they of German origin?

[ummmm]

Has it? I haven't read enough about it then. I will do now AB...

[woofgang]

i have just been watching a couple of the the shows. I find it interesting that none of the teens went back and immediately requested baptism and all of them said things that indicated that they might not...even Leah said she could imagine that the whole of her life might not be lived in America. I have watched the first show and the last...was struck by the change in outlook of the Amish teens.
NOBA if what i have read on the net and in books is true, the families they come from must me at the far end of liberal Amish to allow the filming and so on.

[Bobbisox]

like you woof, I wondered this unless it is seen as a test to their faith