Amish and Technology
It is important to know that the Amish are not anti-technology despite popular opinion. The Amish have integrated many modern technologies into their community life over the past 100 years. Rather, it is better to think that Amish are cautious when it comes to the adoption of the application of human knowledge to their life.
What is technology?
The Amish do not hold to one definition or method to discern what constitutes technology. They would hold to a popular definition of technology. Therefore, their definition of technology is not unique.
What is the purpose of technology? & What kind of people is it shaping us to be?
The unique contribution of Amish comes in their discernment of the purpose of technology which is connected to their concern for what kind of people they are. It is here that their faith is of great importance in understanding their appropriation of technology. Particularly, their commitment to Gelassenheit, or submission to the will of God. Gelassenheit is a commitment to doing God’s will above ones own desires and to serve others or the community. This commitment is lived out in the following aspects of Amish life:
Personality: reserved, modest, calm, quiet
Values: submission, obedience, humility, simplicity
Symbols: dress, horse, carriage, lantern
Structure: small, informal, local, decentralized
Ritual: baptism, confession, ordination, foot-washing1
Technology falls under their commitment to follow God’s desire for their life. Thus the purpose of technology is to serve the community and allow for continued obedience to God. Any technology that would distract from this goal would not be permitted in their community.
Each Amish community agrees upon a set of rules to live by which are called the Ordnung. Here is an excerpt from one communities Ordnung:
Farm with horses, not with power machinery in the field.
No rubber tires on implements or buggies.
No unnecessary lights on buggies except what is for safety.
No bulk tanks or milkers.
No one shall operate cars or trucks.
No electrical generators except for welding. No lightning rods.
No sinks or colored tub in the bathroom.
The young people shall not run after pleasure places, have a radio or TV, or watch movies. No wrist watches, bicycles, no drinking or tobacco.2
Many technologies are banned, in the Ordnung, because they lead to self-exultation and an over- manipulative power. The example of the automobile holds true in this instance. The owner of a better quality automobile tends to exult his possession, exhibiting vanity, over those who own automobiles that are not as good. Using the prescribed horse and buggy of the Ordnung eliminates this problem. With this rule in place, the community has thus discerned that fidelity to God and service of others can be better accomplished without the use of an automobile.
Summary
How do the Amish answer the question, “What is technology doing to us?” They testify that technology can separate us from obedience to God and service to one another. Their way of life also reveals that technology, along with the rest of life, needs to fall under a different rubric then individual opinion or consumerism. Their faithfulness to Gelassenheit and their discernment of a faithful way of life, codified in the Ordnung, allow outsiders to imagine the possibility of a different life, which seeks to diminish the effects of technology. And if this life intrigues you then heed the words of an Amish saying:
If you admire our faith — strengthen yours.
If you admire our sense of commitment — deepen yours.
If you admire our community spirit — build your own.
If you admire the simple life — cut back.
If you admire deep character and enduring values — live them yourself.3
(1)Donald KraybillThe Riddle of Amish Culture. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins UP, 1989, p.26.
(2) John Hostetler, ed. Amish Roots: a Treasury of History, Wisdom and Lore. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins UP, 1989.
(3) http://www.amishnews.com/amisharticles/amish_tech.htm
