Cultural Diversity Among The Catholic And The Amish - Essay Example

? Cultural Diversity among the Catholic and the Amish Affiliation with more information about affiliation, research grants, conflict of interest and how to contact Cultural Diversity among the Catholic and the Amish This research paper attempts to investigate the differences cultures with a view to gain insight into their broad as well as minute aspects and understand how people perceive culture. The cultures selected for this purpose is Catholic and Amish and the study will dwell on their practices in the United States of America. This research also intends to identify the definition of culture and explore its influences on a community. Studies conducted in the past show that culture and religion have close links with each other. Besides, “the differences between a subculture and the general culture can sometimes be minor but sometimes they can be great” (Smith, 2004, p. 3). In this research, the two cultures will be individually addressed first, and then the common themes between the two cultures will be identified. Besides, the paper will dwell on the similarities and differences in these cultures. Catholic culture has its origins in Greece while the Amish culture is a subculture and its origins are in Switzerland. While the catholic culture believes in luxury lifestyle the Amish culture believes in humility and simple living. Both the cultures worship Jesus and are of the belief that sins should not be committed. The Catholic culture believes in education while the Amish culture does not recognize the importance of education. Catholic Culture: Catholic religion finds its origins in Greece and it spread throughout the world, including the US, through missionary work. It is a major religion in North America. Catholics believe that God is formless and eternal. This faith considers Jesus as the prophet and it is an “inherently communal religion, meant to extend as wide as civilization itself” (Wilson, 2007, para. 14). The catholic tradition divides itself into intellectual, moral and social. All these three traditions are interrelated. Catholicism places emphasis on the study of philosophy and liberal arts which are considered as the foundation of learning. The tenet of theology is the first component in the catholic intellectual tradition. The theologians study, interpret and explore how human beings should work in the revelation of Christianity to the world and they discuss the foundational issues of faith. Philosophy is the second component of the religion. Philosophy investigates the fundamentals of human knowledge and experience. The third component is traditional liberal arts while the fourth component is the collection of subjects apart from the three subjects of theology, philosophy and liberal arts such as study of life and natural sciences, the disciplines like computer science etc. Catholic higher education administrators claim that students should not only learn for the purpose of gaining formal education but also should learn for knowing how to live life in the right path in a moral sense. The catholic educational institutions are more welcoming and open towards all religions and they treat black, white and international students equally. Their colleges and universities, therefore, “demonstrated the values of openness and respect for diversity more effectively than other religiously affiliated institutions” (Morey & Piderit, n.d., part. 2). Catholics have the tradition of respecting both popes as well as priests and they read scriptures and also believe in the principle of “sticking together generally and in falling in line behind their leader” (Portmann, n.d., p. 81). “The political and moral conduct of the United States and its citizens, the fate of our Nation, homosexuality in the military, and scandals involving the Catholic clergy—are matters of public import” (Phelps et al. 2010, p. 12). Catholics believed in the sin principle. “The first sin of disobedience resulted in death to the spiritual nature of humankind” (Catholic Beliefs, n.d., para. 3). Amish Culture: Amish culture is believed to have originated in Switzerland and it is considered as a subculture. It eschews the concepts of modern society, which believes in materialism. Amish society is recognized by humility. The Amish culture is a part of the Anabaptist culture. They reside in north eastern, eastern and northern Ohio. The key belief of this culture is that a person leads a life even after his death. Therefore, he goes to heaven or is punished in hell depending on his life on earth. The Amish also consider Jesus as their prophet and they celebrate Christmas and Easter in a simple manner. “The Amish are first and foremost a religious community. Historically, their lineage begins with the Catholic Church and the Protestant Reformation initiated by Martin Luther in 1517” (Tuberman, 2011, para. 1). The reality in the Amish culture is quite contrasting to the covenents that guide the modern life. The tradition of the society is embodied in the people and their stories. The rituals are guided by the ‘Ordnung’ who is described as ‘understanding’. The revelations by the Ordnung are explicit. It prescribes some rules in areas of life, which need to be followed mandatorily. “The rituals of Amish life have two striking features: their oral character and their predictable formulas” (Kraybill, n.d., p. 112). The Amish are of the belief that the Bible commissions the parents to instruct their children in both religious as well as Amish ways. Amish children are less exposed to miscellaneous ideas and different cultural perspectives and they learn culture through interactions and observations within the family. The growth of the Amish school system recorded a very captivating dialogue between the Amish and the forces of progress. The Amish were willing to compromise on some issues but still they were not willing to negotiate on the education of their children. In the Amish culture, people are not against the system of education but they do not see sense in education beyond teaching the values of life. Amish children attend public elementary schools and only practical education is provided. The Amish have a restricted culture and they shun from the modern way of living. “The Amish culture shuns many modern conveniences and the idea is to live separately from the world” (Jones, n.d., p. 109). “The Supreme Court of Minnesota ruled that the Amish had a free exercise right to refuse to display fluorescent orange triangular emblems on their horse-drawn buggies” (The Religious Freedom Restoration Act: Hearing before the Committee on the Judiciary United States Senate: One Hundred Second Congress: Second Session, 1992, p. 54). Differences and Similarities between the Cultures: The Amish are a part of the Anabaptists and are not believers in infant baptism like the Catholics. According to the Amish culture, a person needs to confess personally that he is a sinner and he believes in Christ. Catholics are of the belief that a person could not or should not read a bible. While Catholics pardoned people in exchange of money for their sins the Amish culture termed it as unbiblical. “One of the biggest differences is that the Anabaptists, which the Amish are part of, do not believe in infant baptism like Catholics” (What are Some Difference Between Amish and Catholic Traditions?, 2011, para. 1). The Amish believe that women should wear head coverings all day and the father is the head of the family. Married women work within their family. While Catholics view higher education as very important, Amish attain education only till standard eight and it is considered to be enough for their living. The Amish culture believes in big families and staying together in families unlike the Catholic culture, which does not lay it much importance. With reforms in the catholic culture the church interfered in not only religious matters but also in the political and social life of people. “Amish travel in horse drawn buggies” (Brown & Peter’s, n.d., slide. 10). Both the cultures share the same basic beliefs. Amish faith dictates simple life and away from technology like the use of no electricity, cars etc. Both Amish and Catholics believe in virgin birth, sinless life and crucification. “In some ways, the Amish are much like Catholic religious orders” (Amish Religion, n.d., para. 1). Amish farm Catholic palace (Roman Catholic vs Amish, n.d.) Conclusion: This research is of global historical importance as it sheds light in the cultural diversities between the two cultures, namely, the Amish and the Catholic. It is found that there are several similarities between the two cultures but they also differ when it comes to aspects of education, modernization etc. Reference List Amish Religion, (n.d). Squidoo. Retrieved Aug. 29, 2011, from http://www.squidoo.com/amishreligion Brown, M. F & Peter’s, St. Cross Cultural Comparison: The Amish. Catholic College. Retrieved Aug. 29, 2011, from http://www.scansw.com.au/docs/Amish_PP.ppt#261,10,Ordnung Catholic Beliefs, (n.d). S.M.M. Retrieved Aug. 29, 2011, from http://www.saintaquinas.com/catholic_beliefs.html Jones, M. n.d. Superlatives USA: The Largest, Smallest, Longest, Shortest, and Wackiest. Print. Kraybill, D. B. The Riddle of Amish Culture. Print. Morey, M. M & Piderit, J. J. n.d. Catholic Higher Education: A Culture in Crisis. Part 2. Chapter. 6. Student Culture. Print. Phelps et al. (2010). Supreme Court of the United States. Supreme Court. Gov. Retrieved Aug. 29, 2011, from http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/10pdf/09-751.pdf Portmann, J. n.d. Catholic culture in the USA: In and Out of Church. P. 81. Print. Roman Catholic vs. Amish, (n.d.). Tripod. Retrieved Aug. 29, 2011, from http://cusaballer23.tripod.com/ Smith, W. L. (2004). Irish Priests in the United States: A Vanishing Subculture. University Press of America, Inc. USA. Retrieved Aug. 29, 2011, from http://books.google.co.in/books?id=0akee6oGkq0C&pg=PA3&dq=differences+between+amish+and+catholic+culture'&hl=en#v=onepage&q=differences%20between%20amish%20and%20catholic%20culture'&f=false The Religious Freedom Restoration Act: Hearing before the Committee on the Judiciary United States Senate: One Hundred Second Congress: Second Session, (1992). U. S. Government Printing Office: Washington. Retrieved Aug. 29, 2011, from http://www.justice.gov/jmd/ls/legislative_histories/pl103-141/hear-j-102-82-1992.pdf Tuberman, L. (2011). Amish Beliefs and Religion. Hub Pages , Inc. Retrieved Aug. 29, 2011, from http://leontuberman.hubpages.com/hub/Amish-Beliefs-and-Religion What are Some Difference Between Amish and Catholic Traditions?, (2011). Yahoo Answers, Inc. Retrieved Aug. 29, 2011, from http://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110723050937AAxCu6x Wilson, J. M. (2007). The Life of Catholic Culture. The Observer. Retrieved Aug. 29, 2011, from http://www.ndsmcobserver.com/2.2756/the-life-of-catholic-culture-1.262010 Read More