Ttraditional Cultures and Religious Beliefs of Amish in America - Essay Example

 The Amish people have performed their best in agriculture and they have improved their lifestyles through assimilating the American way of living. Many scholars have presented the history of the Amish people and this topic is quite interesting because of the unique Amish cultural beliefs and their way of life in America.

            The study of Amish in America is one of the interesting aspects that attempt to reveal the traditional cultures and religious beliefs of the Amish people. However, modernization has contributed to the eroding of these traditional cultural beliefs and values; thus contributing to the swift currents of varied changes. The traditional Amish people have demonstrated an amazing resilience to varied cultural devastation. For instance, the distinctive dressing style and horse-drawn buggies set them apart as the society, which has dared to ignore the wave of modern advancement (Kraybill 23).

Moreover, the Amish practices seem to defy common sense because of varied contradictions and bound inconsistencies when studying their ways of life. Even, some of their neighbors call them hypocrites because of the attached beliefs of using varied services such as doctors and many others, but they do not want their children to pursue careers related to such services. They ban telephone use from their homes but still use outdoor booths; thus, this can impact one’s understanding of American diversity. PBS. Org (pr. 6) reveals that some Amish who are attached to cultural beliefs reject modern technology such as the use of phones, computers in homes, car ownership, and even rejects televisions. Many of them use horses and farm carts for pulling farm equipment, but those who have appreciated new technologies use tractors in farm fields.

            The Amish culture is not only a baffling issue to outsiders, but also to themselves as well. Kraybill (5) argues that the puzzles of Amish cultural practices are baffling both to the outsiders and even the Amish people themselves because some of them fail to solve their riddles. Although modernity has paved the way for traditional practices, still some of the Amish people are attached to strict cultural practices; thus, they view modernity as a hindrance to their way of life. Thus, the study of Amish culture impacts one’s understanding because of varied and unique traditional beliefs towards modern technologies. For instance, the Amish people do not believe in modern medicine, and most of the decision-making or traditional families or community members (CIS pr. 4) drive regulations on healthcare and other significant aspects. They also reject healthcare insurance and belief that churches have the duty of caring for the sick and other activities. Although most of their cultural practices may seem odd, the Amish people have resourceful or inventive arrangements, which have enabled them to retain their distinctive identity; thus thriving economically.