The Amish don’t view these things as ‘against God’s will’ nor do their justifications come from the Bible. They are imposed as a way to maintain organized traditional familial community practices. They are conservative because most Amish communities require 100% parish (patriarchal) approval to change a technological practice. It makes change excruciatingly slow in these communities.
For example, it’s not that ‘phones are against God’s will’, it’s that individual phones, or phones in the house take away from being ‘present and aware’ in the home. Same for tvs. Yet, most Amish communities allow phones on the exterior of the home, but it is invaluable as a communication device for coordinating work.
That said, there are many problems with this style of community, but the Amish, for all their issues, are usually not out there looking for loopholes.
The Amish don’t view these things as ‘against God’s will’ nor do their justifications come from the Bible. They are imposed as a way to maintain organized traditional familial community practices. They are conservative because most Amish communities require 100% parish (patriarchal) approval to change a technological practice. It makes change excruciatingly slow in these communities.
For example, it’s not that ‘phones are against God’s will’, it’s that individual phones, or phones in the house take away from being ‘present and aware’ in the home. Same for tvs. Yet, most Amish communities allow phones on the exterior of the home, but it is invaluable as a communication device for coordinating work.
That said, there are many problems with this style of community, but the Amish, for all their issues, are usually not out there looking for loopholes.