amish

just finished watching 'Devil's playground'. it's a doco about the Amish people. interesting.

The Amish tradition was started in 1693 by a small group of people who thought it was wrong to babtise infants. They believe that only an adult can freely choose to follow Christ. They were harshly persecuted for this believe.

The Amish reject any technology that they think will have a negative impact on their community and family life (electricity, cars and trendy clothes are out, roller blades, log fires and volley ball are in).

Their traditions become away of them reminding themselves that they are not of this world. (1 John 2:15) They believe that everybodies life should be a witness to Christ.

But when Amish children turn 16 they are release into the world for their 'Rumspringa'. They go out and taste what the 'real' world is like. This time might go for 6 months to several years, and boy, do they party. At some point they have to decide if they will leave the Amish community or go back, get baptised and join the church and live by it's ways for the rest of their life. big call.

90% of them choose the Amish church.