Growing up in Pennsylvania, I was aware of people who were Amish and Mennonite. Both groups are from the same branch of Christianity called Anabaptists. Neither group is simply a religion. They are ways of living, cultures, with social structures and customs which include their religious beliefs. To leave these religions is to break with family and culture, not just change churches as one might when leaving a Presbyterian Church to join a Lutheran Church.
The perception of most people in the US is that Amish avoid the use of technology. The same perception may be applied to some Mennonites, like the Old Order Mennonites. This perception isn’t true. Instead, technologies are evaluated based on how they will impact the values of the culture. When a new technology proves that it can be incorporated in a way that supports cultural values, then it is used. For example, Amish mothers generally use disposable diapers. That’s because disposable diapers support one of the two primary cultural values: that families should spend quality time together. Not having to wash diapers means that a mother has more time to spend with her children.
Amish communities carefully discern if technology will support two essential values: the quality of family life and the quality of community life. If it is seen that a technology will negatively impact family or community life, it’s either rejected or carefully implemented. Thus, an Amish farmer may have a cell phone for transacting business. It’s likely that the cell phone will be kept in his truck, which is only used for business and parked at the edge of his property. In this way, Amish people support the value of relationships by making sure that people spend time in face to face conversations with each other.
I think we have a great deal to learn from the Amish. No, I don’t think we should all head to the farm and start driving buggies. Instead, the Amish present us with a model of living intentionally. There is a clear discernment that occurs within their communities about their lives together. The discernment process is rooted in an acknowledgment of cultural values. Family and community are the most important values. So, before adding something new, there is discernment of how the new thing will impact the values. If it diminishes their values, then it is not welcome.
Most of us have some awareness that we don’t live in ways that are consonant with our deeper values. But we go with the flow because it’s the way everyone else lives in society. We are pulled along by public opinion, marketing, and political trends. What if we stepped back just a bit and considered our own values? From a more focused awareness of our values, we are better able to consider how well we actually live by them.
At the end of June, I spent a week in retreat at a monastery. Over that week, I considered my values and what is most important to me. With that awareness, I am making some changes in my work, my care of myself, and our life at home. Some of those changes are small. For instance, in addition to our beehive and butterfly garden, we will begin to compost: all things to support the environment which is consonant with our values. To make more space in my life, I am completing my time to work on a non-profit board and making some other changes in my work. I’m also planning some other changes which will support my overall health. Rather than just going with the flow, I stepping back asking, “What’s really important? What do I need to do to live in a way that’s consonant with those values?
Examining our values and the way we are living can lead us to major changes. Other times, we may make small adjustments. But the Amish have it right: rather than just incorporating something new, consider what effect it will have on your values and the lives of your loved ones. Doing so will lead to a more fulfilling life.
Photo by Andrea Why on Trend hype / CC BY-NC-SA