Buzz
We’ve previously delved into the Amish way of life, but there’s still much more to explore about this group that shuns modern trends and begins their day at the break of dawn.
10. A Little Person
The Amish are generally an incredibly healthy group of individuals. They live simple, agricultural lives filled with physical labor and consume diets free from preservatives and processed foods. Unlike many in modern society, they experience a fraction of the stress associated with the so-called rat race. However, being a tightly-knit community, the Amish have a very limited gene pool. With a population of about 250,000, stemming from only around 200 families, they face a phenomenon known as the “founder effect,” which brings about a range of congenital disorders and an alarmingly high infant mortality rate. Some of these conditions are so rare that the medical world has yet to name them.
Because of their secluded lifestyle, the public has rarely been able to see the disorders affecting the Amish. Yet, one Amish-born individual has achieved global fame, despite his congenital condition. Actor Verne Troyer, one of the shortest men on the planet, stands at just 81 centimeters (2’8″), shorter than the average three-year-old. Troyer became a pop culture icon thanks to his portrayal of “Mini-Me” in the Austin Powers films. He lives with a rare genetic disorder called cartilage-hair hypoplasia. Despite his small size, his family never treated him differently from his siblings. As Verne himself put it, “They never treated me any different than my other average sized siblings. I used to have to carry wood, feed the cows and pigs and farm animals.”
9. The Amish and Technology
The Amish have a long history of rejecting modern technology, which is why they still rely on horse-drawn buggies for transportation. However, each community sets its own guidelines, often finding creative ways to enjoy modern conveniences. While they do not have phones in their homes, there is often a phone booth within the community for shared use. Though they do not own cars, they will occasionally accept rides from others or hire a taxi. It’s also not entirely accurate to say they live without electricity; while their homes are not connected to the main power grid, many Amish households use gas-powered generators to run appliances like refrigerators and water heaters.
One of the most unexpected adaptations the Amish have made is the adoption of computers. The Deskmate is a computer specifically designed for Amish users. It is deliberately simple—without internet connectivity, video playback, or games. It is intended solely for business purposes, offering word processing, accounting, and spreadsheet functionalities.
8. A Rare Homicide
A core principle of the Amish faith is nonviolence, and they are a primarily peaceful community. In fact, only one individual in their history has been convicted of homicide. Edward Gingerich never quite integrated into the Amish way of life. A native of Pennsylvania, he exhibited signs of mental illness from a young age. After marrying a woman named Katie and having children, his condition worsened. He began associating with outsiders, including a born-again Christian named Dave Lindsey, who convinced Gingerich that he would go to Hell if he did not leave the Amish community. Eventually, Gingerich experienced a psychotic episode with hallucinations, prompting a 911 call.
It was determined that Gingerich suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and was prescribed medication to manage his symptoms. However, he disliked the side effects of the medication and stopped taking it. The situation reached a tragic peak on March 18, 1993, when Gingerich brutally attacked Katie in their kitchen. Their son ran to his uncle’s house for assistance, but it was too late. Gingerich stomped on Katie’s skull with his boot and then disemboweled her, leaving her internal organs next to her body.
Due to his mental condition, Gingerich served only five years in prison. In 2011, he hanged himself, leaving behind a note that read, “Forgive me please.”
7. Sexual Assault
While murder is virtually unheard of in Amish communities, other forms of crime, unfortunately, are not uncommon. The Amish operate under a patriarchal system, and sexual abuse, including incest and pedophilia, has been reported. The full extent of these crimes remains largely unknown, as they are typically addressed within the community itself. The punishment for admitting to rape is not particularly severe—the offender is banned from church activities for six weeks, until they demonstrate genuine remorse. The Amish prioritize the individual’s honesty about their actions over the nature of the crime itself. Interestingly, the same punishment is also applied for excessive drinking.
In the rare cases where excommunication doesn’t suffice, the Amish may involve external authorities, as seen in the case of Chester Mast. Mast was excommunicated three times for the rape of his younger cousins before he was finally reported to the authorities and arrested. Even in this horrifying case, some church members continued to support Mast, visiting him in prison for spiritual guidance.
6. Horse-and-Buggy DUIs
One of the most iconic features of Amish culture is their horse and buggy, a simple form of transportation that’s not without some modern touches. The law requires buggies to be equipped with turning signals and headlights, and some Amish have added features like windshield wipers and interior dome lights. For those interested in the rules of the road, Pennsylvania has even published a driver's manual that covers road regulations and emphasizes courtesy for automobile drivers.
Legally, a horse and buggy is considered a vehicle, and it is possible to be arrested for driving one while under the influence. While this is uncommon, it does happen. In 2009, 22-year-old Elmer Stoltzfoos Fisher was arrested after being found sleeping in his buggy in Pennsylvania. In 2011, 17-year-old Lewis Hostetler led police on a chase in upstate New York after he was pulled over for drinking a beer while driving his buggy.
5. The Amish Madoff
Although the Amish are deeply religious, they have not sworn off wealth. In fact, they are known for being skilled entrepreneurs, often working tirelessly to make their businesses thrive. And where there is money, corruption is bound to creep in, even among the most devout. The Amish even have their own version of Bernie Madoff—Monroe Beachy, an investment broker from Ohio who lost an estimated $16.8 million of his clients’ funds through risky investments. While the money was vanishing, Beachy continued to lie to his clients, assuring them that their investments were safe.
When Beachy’s fraud was uncovered, the Amish community urged US District Judge Benita Pearson to release him, asking that the issue be handled within their community as is customary. Beachy’s defense lawyer also argued that he never personally took any of the stolen money and deserved a lighter sentence. However, Judge Pearson dismissed these claims, telling the 78-year-old swindler, “You must be punished for what you did under federal guidelines. Your religious community does not exempt you from this.” In 2012, Beachy was sentenced to six and a half years in prison for his crimes.
4. Faceless Dolls
While playing with dolls is a common childhood activity, Amish children’s dolls stand out in one particular way. Their handcrafted rag dolls, dressed in traditional Amish clothing, usually lack faces. The exact reason for this is debated, but it is likely tied to the Amish belief that humans should not create graven images and that only God can form people. A faceless doll symbolizes the idea that all children are equal in God’s eyes. Both male and female dolls are available, often wearing detailed and intricate outfits.
These faceless dolls might unsettle those from other cultures, particularly because some societies, like Japan’s Noppera-bo, feature faceless figures in folklore. Despite their eerie appearance, these dolls are frequently sold as souvenirs to tourists, and antique versions can be highly collectible, fetching impressive prices.
3. Exploding Population
Reality TV and the notorious rite of Rumspringa may lead you to believe that Amish youth are eager to break free from their monotonous lives of hard work and religious observance. However, the Amish lifestyle shows no signs of fading; in fact, their population continues to grow at a remarkable rate. In the early 1900s, the Amish community numbered just around 5,000 people. Today, their numbers have swelled to at least 250,000, with their population doubling every generation.
Despite the fact that the Amish don’t actively seek to convert others like some religious groups, they do occasionally welcome new members. However, the vast majority of the population increase is due to natural growth. Amish families are large, typically having six or seven children, and most children choose to stay in the community and start families of their own. Leaving the community is not an option for many, as it involves the painful consequence of being shunned by loved ones, a fate that deters many youth from pursuing life outside the Amish way.
2. Reality TV
Reality TV shows often highlight the lives of the wealthy and famous, offering us a peek into a world of luxury that many can only dream of. Beyond shows like The Kardashians and The Real Housewives, recent reality TV trends have turned their focus to the Amish community. TLC aired two seasons of Breaking Amish, a show that followed young Amish individuals as they explored the outside world and faced the difficult choice of whether to embrace modern society or return to their Amish roots. One of the cast members, Kate Stoltzfus, left the faith to pursue a modeling career, even gracing the pages of Maxim magazine.
One of the most controversial reality shows involving the Amish is Discovery Channel’s Amish Mafia. The series focuses on Lebanon Levi, a dubious character, and his team in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, as they navigate issues within the Amish community and deal with outsiders. While some may still be drawn to the drama, it's clear that much of the show, with its “dramatic re-enactments,” is entirely fabricated. Despite its lack of authenticity, the show was successful enough to be renewed for a fourth season. Several Pennsylvania politicians, including Governor Tom Corbett, have signed a petition to halt the show’s production, condemning it as “religious bigotry.”
1. Puppy Mills
Animal rights advocates have long warned against purchasing puppies from pet stores, instead encouraging the adoption of rescue pets or the support of responsible breeders. The puppies sold in stores typically come from “puppy mills,” inhumane facilities where dogs are crammed into small cages and forced to breed. Once they are no longer of use, many are euthanized. These dogs often suffer from poor health, living conditions, and mutilation, such as having their vocal cords cut to prevent barking. Shockingly, many of these puppy mills are run by the Amish. Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, has earned the grim title of “puppy mill capital of America,” and in Ohio, another state with a significant Amish population, there are dog auctions where puppies are bought and flipped for profit.
Unlike dog fighters, who often exhibit sadistic behavior towards animals, the Amish have no intention of inflicting cruelty on their dogs. Instead, they consider them as livestock, much like pigs or chickens that might eventually be used for food.
