Any Amish DU'ers out there? what's it like?

[datasuspect]

[Catch22Dem]

1. Doesn't the fact that this is an online message board

kinda make it unlikely that any of its members would be Amish? Although, from what I understand, they're not forbidden to use computers or cars or lights, they just can't own it.

[meisje]

3. True Amish do not have electricity

[Catch22Dem]

4. Right, but I think they can "use" it

Like if they went to the library and used the computers there.

[Padraig18]

14. It depends on the congregation.

I live in right in the middle if Illinois' Amish country, and contrary to popular belief, some Amish do use electricity. Electricity is used, e.g., for dairy operations, but only if the congregation agrees that it is not for a 'sinful purpose'.

:)

[Spiffarino]

2. What's all this then?

Are we being just a teeeensy bit sarcastic tonight?

:7

[Liberal Veteran]

5. Could you send that post by pigeon again?

I didn't get it.

(Note: This message was totally produced by Mozilla Carrier Pigeon)

[datasuspect]

7. i am holier than thou art

alas, i have no pigeon to spare, brother.

let's party like its 1699.

[Wapsie B]

6. I grew up near an Old Order settlement.

I could probably tell you a few things.

[ikojo]

8. Is it true that Amish boys and girls are allowed to sleep

in the same bed if they are dating? I think I read that somewhere online.

[Wapsie B]

9. I had never heard that one before.

I know there is a period of time where kids around 17 or 18 get to experience life on the outside world with the "White Men" for awhile before they commit to the Amish life. It's called Rumspringa or some such thing. The guys grow beards when married and are cleanshaven when single. But the sleeping together is not something I know of.


I've never heard the term English or Englishers used. It was always the Amish Man and the White Man, just as a Native American might say.

[ikojo]

10. I recall reading something on a site maintained by former

Amish. They tell all about the insides of Amish life and give the impression it's not as wholesome as we are led to believe. I will google and see what I can find. The original link to this article came via DU.


FOUND IT!!!

http://geocities.com/formeramishreunion/abuse.html


The Amish believe in bed courtship before they marry.  I went to her room and took my shoes, jacket and hat off. Then I crawled in bed with her. We lay in bed all night, from ten o'clock until the morning.  I got a few kisses and hugs during the night. I got up out of bed at four o'clock that morning, and left for home again. Brother Joe stayed there overnight too, but Joe was in a separate bedroom. I guess the reason Joe went with me was, because it was my first date, and to make sure I didn't do anything I wasn't supposed to do. The "Old Order Amish" and the "Swartzentruber Amish" believe in bed courtship, because that way they know where their daughters are. Amish go to church every two weeks. So you only got to date every two weeks, usually on the weekend, when they didn't have church. With my dating, it meant that Dad had to come up with another horse and buggy. I also wanted a radio, but I didn't have the money to buy one, I had to wait. 


My second date was with my brother Joe's girlfriend's first cousin. Edna Miller was a cute little red head, who only weighed ninety-two pounds. Edna was a year and a half older then I was and experienced in dating and I wasn't.  I arrived at her place at ten-thirty, one Saturday evening. I unhitched my horse, tied him up in the barn in a stall, unharnessed him and fed him.  I slowly made my way upstairs, lit the kerosene lamp and took off my socks, jacket, vest and hat. I blew out the kerosene lamp and crawled in between the sheets with Edna. Edna was real quick to snuggle up to me very tight.  The next forty-five minutes we talked, hugged and kissed a couple of times.  To my surprise, Edna reached down and unbuttoned my pants. Before I fully realized what was taking place we were having sex for my first time. I had mixed feelings about it. I was afraid my parents would find out about it. Part of me wanted some more. The next morning when it was time to leave I asked, "Edna, is it okay to come back in two weeks?" "Sure honey," she said. I thinking to myself, wow is that what bed courtship is all about? I wondered if everybody else does it too. I remember thinking back when we were living in Medina County, when brother Pete was dating Joe's girlfriend's sister. Dad wouldn't tell us what it was about, but we knew it was about Pete's dating when it happened.  I know one thing Pete received a hell of a beating whatever it was that he did. I couldn't wait until the next two weeks went by to go see Edna again. And after that she became my steady girlfriend. 

[Wapsie B]

12. I know there's a film out

about the Amish and the teenagers growing up in a settlement. I forget the name though.

[Benhurst]

13. I think you are referring to bundling, a practice in 17th Century

New England. Sometimes a board was placed lengthwise between the couple. I guess the trick was to find a board without a knothole!

[Bouncy Ball]

11. Oh it sucks to be sure.

I have to sneak time on my laptop. SUCKS!