I live in the middle of the third largest old order settlement. And have lived among the Amish and Mennonite since 2008. They are a kind genuine people for the most part. The stricter sects do struggle with incest and some pretty heinous sin, more than the more progressive ones, but be forewarned they do believe ultimately in works based salvation and most are not truly converted Christians, but are Christian in name only. Even among the Mennonite there is a form of godliness that is works based. They are hard workers and do tend toward larger families, so in general are better for society as a whole. Around here the Mennonite are no different than most other "christians" :watching movies, carrying smart phones, using the internet, and even some of the old order sects are using most of the same technology (although often in secret).
I'm saying they believe, in practice that their good works will be what tips them into heaven. They do not believe, for the most part, that Jesus alone is the Source of our salvation. They believe if they leave the Amish lifestyle or break some Amish rule they will be damned. Part of the issue with their doctrine stems from the fact that they basically only hear sermons from the gospels, minosters are uneducated and chosen by lot, and they are not allowed to have Bible studies.
if they didn't hold those beliefs, we'd have no Amish community. do you think there should be only one type of Christianity? I think you've just provided a good example of why its healthy to allow a wide variety of beliefs.
I can appreciate the discussion, but I don't think its worth cancelling each other over.
belief and action are really two sides of the same coin. some people find faith and are compelled to kneel, others kneel first, and in doing so, find faith.
I live in the middle of the third largest old order settlement. And have lived among the Amish and Mennonite since 2008. They are a kind genuine people for the most part. The stricter sects do struggle with incest and some pretty heinous sin, more than the more progressive ones, but be forewarned they do believe ultimately in works based salvation and most are not truly converted Christians, but are Christian in name only. Even among the Mennonite there is a form of godliness that is works based. They are hard workers and do tend toward larger families, so in general are better for society as a whole. Around here the Mennonite are no different than most other "christians" :watching movies, carrying smart phones, using the internet, and even some of the old order sects are using most of the same technology (although often in secret).
are you saying they don't have faith? or that they work in addition to having faith?
I'm saying they believe, in practice that their good works will be what tips them into heaven. They do not believe, for the most part, that Jesus alone is the Source of our salvation. They believe if they leave the Amish lifestyle or break some Amish rule they will be damned. Part of the issue with their doctrine stems from the fact that they basically only hear sermons from the gospels, minosters are uneducated and chosen by lot, and they are not allowed to have Bible studies.
if they didn't hold those beliefs, we'd have no Amish community. do you think there should be only one type of Christianity? I think you've just provided a good example of why its healthy to allow a wide variety of beliefs.
I can appreciate the discussion, but I don't think its worth cancelling each other over.
belief and action are really two sides of the same coin. some people find faith and are compelled to kneel, others kneel first, and in doing so, find faith.