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By *icketysplits OP Woman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
On BBC2.
I'm always fascinated by 'closed' communities but I am surprised at how many are now agreeing to be filmed for TV documentaries. Especially those that do not allow or restrict access to television. We've had the Charedi Jewish community and now the Amish.
The two have a lot of similarities. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"On BBC2.
I'm always fascinated by 'closed' communities but I am surprised at how many are now agreeing to be filmed for TV documentaries. Especially those that do not allow or restrict access to television. We've had the Charedi Jewish community and now the Amish.
The two have a lot of similarities."
Yep, both of them are money greedy. |
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By *icketysplits OP Woman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
"perhaps they want to educate people about ther society as there are a lot of things people often get wrong about them"
I think they do but the family being featured in this documentary are going against their church community and are doing this in secret.
I have worked a lot with the Charedi community over the years and have seen those that want to open the doors and those that want to keep the wicked, modern, immoral world out.
It's the secrets behind the doors that is always fascinating. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Thinks - That they are just gradually becoming " Western-ised ".. 
Some - of the people in iraq and afganistan etc - now have Jeans and trainers and now its normal to have television and mobile fones - even some of the kids have playstations etc.. ffs whats happening to these countries.. 
next thing you know there will be Mcdonalds planted right next to the mosques etc.. |
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"On BBC2.
I'm always fascinated by 'closed' communities but I am surprised at how many are now agreeing to be filmed for TV documentaries. Especially those that do not allow or restrict access to television. We've had the Charedi Jewish community and now the Amish.
The two have a lot of similarities.
Yep, both of them are money greedy."
Do they not earn there money then |
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By *phroditeWoman
over a year ago
(She/ her) in Sensualityland |
"
The two have a lot of similarities.
Yep, both of them are money greedy."
I have to disagree with you on this one - I did a project on the Amish at uni and got to know some of them and learnt tons about them. Greed is one of the traits they genuinely abhor. |
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Quote from the programme
"being together and having each others hearts is more important than finances"
From the Amish man who stopped working in the more lucrative construction to buy a farm so he could be at home with his family. |
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By *phroditeWoman
over a year ago
(She/ her) in Sensualityland |
"Very moving in parts. I almost cried with the mother when she broke down about the possibility of being ex-communicated."
Being excommunicated in this community is pretty much the worst thing that can happen to you; puts illness, redundancy etc into perspective as the Bible and religion is what holds this community together and has done so since they first moved from Southern Germany and Switzerland to the US.
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"On BBC2.
I'm always fascinated by 'closed' communities but I am surprised at how many are now agreeing to be filmed for TV documentaries. Especially those that do not allow or restrict access to television. We've had the Charedi Jewish community and now the Amish.
The two have a lot of similarities."
I like the concept, many seem very happy but I don't know If I could really handle the slow pace of life. They come across as nice people exp the Amish with the zztop beards.  |
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By *icketysplits OP Woman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
"On BBC2.
I'm always fascinated by 'closed' communities but I am surprised at how many are now agreeing to be filmed for TV documentaries. Especially those that do not allow or restrict access to television. We've had the Charedi Jewish community and now the Amish.
The two have a lot of similarities.
I like the concept, many seem very happy but I don't know If I could really handle the slow pace of life. They come across as nice people exp the Amish with the zztop beards. "
Is it a slow pace of life though? They are busy and not distracted. We move so fast that if it takes 5 seconds to load a web-site we are complaining that our systems are running slow. It's not that long ago that screens were mono (green or orange) and we were amazed when they added colour cards. |
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By *phroditeWoman
over a year ago
(She/ her) in Sensualityland |
"
Is it a slow pace of life though? They are busy and not distracted. We move so fast that if it takes 5 seconds to load a web-site we are complaining that our systems are running slow. It's not that long ago that screens were mono (green or orange) and we were amazed when they added colour cards."
Precisely! Now I am not sure I would want to live their life style but I do admire the courage of their conviction and the honest genuine family values they maintain and work so hard at. Having a good family background is so important as a factor of happiness later in life.. in that respect the Amish have got it right I feel. |
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By *icketysplits OP Woman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
"Very moving in parts. I almost cried with the mother when she broke down about the possibility of being ex-communicated.Being excommunicated in this community is pretty much the worst thing that can happen to you; puts illness, redundancy etc into perspective as the Bible and religion is what holds this community together and has done so since they first moved from Southern Germany and Switzerland to the US."
That really came across. To have such depth of faith and belief and commitment to their way of life and community... I don't know how to end that sentence. |
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By *phroditeWoman
over a year ago
(She/ her) in Sensualityland |
"Very moving in parts. I almost cried with the mother when she broke down about the possibility of being ex-communicated.Being excommunicated in this community is pretty much the worst thing that can happen to you; puts illness, redundancy etc into perspective as the Bible and religion is what holds this community together and has done so since they first moved from Southern Germany and Switzerland to the US.
That really came across. To have such depth of faith and belief and commitment to their way of life and community... I don't know how to end that sentence."
Absolutely, you can dispute what they believe in, argue they are perhaps a touch removed from reality... you cannot take away from them the genuine belief system, the calmness with which they embrace life and the sound moral landscape they all subscribe to. It is inspiring at some level. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"On BBC2.
I'm always fascinated by 'closed' communities but I am surprised at how many are now agreeing to be filmed for TV documentaries. Especially those that do not allow or restrict access to television. We've had the Charedi Jewish community and now the Amish.
The two have a lot of similarities.
I like the concept, many seem very happy but I don't know If I could really handle the slow pace of life. They come across as nice people exp the Amish with the zztop beards.
Is it a slow pace of life though? They are busy and not distracted. We move so fast that if it takes 5 seconds to load a web-site we are complaining that our systems are running slow. It's not that long ago that screens were mono (green or orange) and we were amazed when they added colour cards."
The big thing is they care for all members of the community. One needs a barn so everyone helps! I really like that concept and all pitching in. you could give up a hell of a lot for that sort of community spirit. |
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Have largely loved the Amish that I've met, though tourists aren't always welcome in their towns, and there are big signs in Intercourse, one of their small towns - great name btw - where it says 'No tourists' on many shops etc.
I do wonder whether they're just swapping one extreme religion for another, based on that show though. Amish religion for Born Again Christianity, where they're totally immersed in it. If it makes em happy, then that's their decision and life, but the new one seems somewhat of a cult. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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" I do wonder whether they're just swapping one extreme religion for another, based on that show though. Amish religion for Born Again Christianity, where they're totally immersed in it. If it makes em happy, then that's their decision and life, but the new one seems somewhat of a cult."
The Amish Christians have been around since the late 17th century...
The religion is not extreme even if their insular lifestyle is different from most of ours...
We could well do with some of their simplicity in our lives, and regain some of the sense of community we have abandonmed in recent years...;-) |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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" I do wonder whether they're just swapping one extreme religion for another, based on that show though. Amish religion for Born Again Christianity, where they're totally immersed in it. If it makes em happy, then that's their decision and life, but the new one seems somewhat of a cult."
The Amish Christians have been around since the late 17th century...
The religion is not extreme even if their insular lifestyle is different from most of ours...
We could well do with some of their simplicity in our lives, and regain some of the sense of community we have abandonmed in recent years...;-) |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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It was a very interesting documentary like the previous two the BBC did on the Amish.
They seem like a genuinely friendly, simple people with a decent way of life. |
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"
The Amish Christians have been around since the late 17th century...
The religion is not extreme even if their insular lifestyle is different from most of ours...
We could well do with some of their simplicity in our lives, and regain some of the sense of community we have abandonmed in recent years...;-)"
Whilst their lifestyle is extremely different,it could also still be argued that their religion is extreme, where they totally banish themselves from family members, like children etc, should they leave the church, or be excommunicated for visiting another etc. Most Christian religions don't do that, such as popping to a Catholic church, for a wedding, if you're protestant etc.
They're, not surprisingly, reflective of older more traditional roles, and women are subservient to males, including unmarried girls to their fathers. They also take the bible literally, and it was interesting from the tv show to see that they don't have English bible versions, so largely can't read them.
As it's their religion that controls their lives, it could be viewed contextually, compared to other western Christian religions, to be more at the extreme part of the spectrum. It's all in context though, as an atheist would likely view most/all Christian religious practice to be extreme. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Very moving in parts. I almost cried with the mother when she broke down about the possibility of being ex-communicated.Being excommunicated in this community is pretty much the worst thing that can happen to you; puts illness, redundancy etc into perspective as the Bible and religion is what holds this community together and has done so since they first moved from Southern Germany and Switzerland to the US."
Just to add on the most Ami's were "Wiedertaufer" from the Emmental and Bucheggberg parts of Switzerland. The reasons why they left Europe were military service (they hate weapons) and money. The money they earn is put back into farmers and stock..the rest is used to help others in the community.. Am the male part of us and part of my family moved in 1832 from Bucheggberg to New Berne as their principles were not understood and not understood till today... Most still speak an old Swiss German with French mixed in...  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"On BBC2.
I'm always fascinated by 'closed' communities but I am surprised at how many are now agreeing to be filmed for TV documentaries. Especially those that do not allow or restrict access to television. We've had the Charedi Jewish community and now the Amish.
The two have a lot of similarities.
Yep, both of them are money greedy.
Do they not earn there money then"
Never said they didn't. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"
The two have a lot of similarities.
Yep, both of them are money greedy. I have to disagree with you on this one - I did a project on the Amish at uni and got to know some of them and learnt tons about them. Greed is one of the traits they genuinely abhor."
Money oriented, is the phrase I should have used.
Earn lots, spend little.
Not the worst ethics |
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By *phroditeWoman
over a year ago
(She/ her) in Sensualityland |
" I do wonder whether they're just swapping one extreme religion for another, based on that show though. Amish religion for Born Again Christianity, where they're totally immersed in it. If it makes em happy, then that's their decision and life, but the new one seems somewhat of a cult.
The Amish Christians have been around since the late 17th century...
The religion is not extreme even if their insular lifestyle is different from most of ours...
We could well do with some of their simplicity in our lives, and regain some of the sense of community we have abandonmed in recent years...;-)"
 |
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By *phroditeWoman
over a year ago
(She/ her) in Sensualityland |
"
Money oriented, is the phrase I should have used.
Earn lots, spend little.
Not the worst ethics "
I am not even sure if that is the case tbh. Those that I have encountered were encouraged not to gain material possessions except to meet the basic needs. I am aware though that even within the Amish community there are different "sub" groups which is reflected to a degree in their uniforms, haircuts and styles and behaviours. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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i watched a documentary about it with bill murrary, and they might stick to their communities but do like to sneek off to play bowling, so not as closed to new things as you would think |
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By *phroditeWoman
over a year ago
(She/ her) in Sensualityland |
"i watched a documentary about it with bill murrary, and they might stick to their communities but do like to sneek off to play bowling, so not as closed to new things as you would think"
Shows that it is not always easy to maintain the life style and yesterday one of them actually mentioned the word "temptation" albeit in a different (sexual) context. Also there are repercussions for offenders, worst case scenario they get excommunicated.
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"On BBC2.
I'm always fascinated by 'closed' communities but I am surprised at how many are now agreeing to be filmed for TV documentaries. Especially those that do not allow or restrict access to television. We've had the Charedi Jewish community and now the Amish.
The two have a lot of similarities."
There are downsides though with these sects. If you want to leave you often get ostracised and cannot see your family again. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"On BBC2.
I'm always fascinated by 'closed' communities but I am surprised at how many are now agreeing to be filmed for TV documentaries. Especially those that do not allow or restrict access to television. We've had the Charedi Jewish community and now the Amish.
The two have a lot of similarities.
There are downsides though with these sects. If you want to leave you often get ostracised and cannot see your family again."
While its horrible to think negatively of other peoples ways of life...I have the theory that freedom is inherent to human life, and I'm afraid I find religions,sects whatever sometimes are restrictive...I feel the same way about those who think only god should be the one to save a childs life, whatever way it sounds wrong..I believe society in its 'norms' has the final say, whether its liked or not.Fascistic?..maybe in a way. |
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By *phroditeWoman
over a year ago
(She/ her) in Sensualityland |
"On BBC2.
I'm always fascinated by 'closed' communities but I am surprised at how many are now agreeing to be filmed for TV documentaries. Especially those that do not allow or restrict access to television. We've had the Charedi Jewish community and now the Amish.
The two have a lot of similarities.
There are downsides though with these sects. If you want to leave you often get ostracised and cannot see your family again.
While its horrible to think negatively of other peoples ways of life...I have the theory that freedom is inherent to human life, and I'm afraid I find religions,sects whatever sometimes are restrictive...I feel the same way about those who think only god should be the one to save a childs life, whatever way it sounds wrong..I believe society in its 'norms' has the final say, whether its liked or not.Fascistic?..maybe in a way."
I totally see where you are coming from regarding freedom as part of human rights and life. With the Amish (and other Mennonite groups) people have the freedom to leave if they so choose - with repercussions of course, but ultimately their choice? Personally I would not like to subscribe to any religious group, and certainly not to one that is so prescriptive. I do admire them for choosing a simpler way of living and putting family life very much at the top of priorities. |
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