8 Common Myths About the Amish

Popular media, such as the film Witness and the TV series Vanilla Ice Goes Amish, often portray the Amish as people who shun technology and live as if they’re stuck in the 1800s. This list, inspired by an episode of Misconceptions on YouTube, aims to correct the inaccuracies spread by Harrison Ford and iconic rappers. It reveals how elements like drugs and smartphones still manage to infiltrate this unique and intricate community.

1. Myth: The Amish are completely isolated from modern influences.

The belief that the Amish remain entirely unaffected by modern societal issues is far from true. For instance, in 1998, an unusual event occurred in Intercourse, Pennsylvania: Two Amish men were arrested for dealing drugs. A federal indictment claimed they had been obtaining cocaine from members of the infamous Pagans motorcycle gang and distributing it within their Amish community. The men, both named Abner, were allegedly selling the drugs at Amish social gatherings.

While this behavior may seem unusual for the Amish, they are not immune to the influences of the outside world. Like followers of any religion, their beliefs have unique complexities. In reality, the Amish are far more intricate than the simplistic image often depicted.

2. Myth: Amish and Mennonite mean the same thing.

When discussing the Amish, most people refer to the Old Order Amish. The Amish in North America can be traced back to the 16th-century Anabaptist movement in Europe, which challenged mainstream Christian practices. For instance, Anabaptists believed in adult baptism, emphasizing that faith should be a deliberate decision.

Shortly after the Anabaptist movement began, Menno Simons became a prominent figure, leading many Anabaptists to be called Mennonites. Over a century later in Switzerland, Jakob Ammann advocated for stricter practices, influencing beliefs on communion, shunning, and even facial hair. In 1693, his followers formed a new group, the Amish, named after Ammann.

Fleeing persecution in Europe, many Anabaptists, including the Amish, migrated to Pennsylvania in the 18th century. There, they maintained their simple lifestyle—until the Industrial Revolution brought new challenges. Starting in 1862, Amish communities held annual meetings to address these changes. Conservative members, feeling sidelined, broke away to form the Old Order, while more progressive groups merged with the Mennonites. The introduction of the telephone in 1876 sparked debates, and soon, cars and electricity became additional challenges for the Amish to navigate.

3. Myth: The Amish completely reject all forms of technology.

The Amish approach to electricity is rooted in their religious convictions, though the reasoning is frequently misconstrued. While practices vary among communities, the consensus was to avoid connecting to the electric grid. This decision wasn’t based on viewing electricity as inherently wrong per se, but rather on the concern that easy access to it might encourage a desire for the newest gadgets. If you must purchase a refrigerator and then figure out how to power it without simply plugging it in, you’re likely to think more carefully about your consumption.

Although the Amish avoid connecting to power grids, they are typically allowed to use energy from 12-volt batteries, diesel generators, propane, solar panels, or hydraulic systems. This energy often powers tools for carpentry work, and you might also find it used for battery-operated headlights and windshield wipers on their horse-drawn carriages.

The adoption of technology among the Amish varies by community. Rather than a single unified group, the Amish consist of multiple smaller sects, each deciding whether tools like battery-operated drills or gas-powered refrigerators align with their values. Donald Kraybill, an Amish scholar and co-author of The Amish, explains, “[The Amish] are cautious—questioning whether a technology will strengthen their communal bonds or potentially harm them.”

Every Amish community follows the Ordnung, a German term meaning “order.” This set of guidelines varies by sect, and in Pennsylvania alone, there are hundreds of Amish districts, each with its own unique rules.

What about modern essentials like computers and smartphones? Some Amish believe computers are necessary for business and opt for minimalist setups. Companies cater to this demand by offering PCs without internet, graphics, or sound, sometimes even housed in wooden cases.

This adaptation extends to other tools. For instance, power tools might be modified by replacing electric motors with air-powered alternatives.

Smartphones have also found their way into Amish life. When telephones became common in the early 20th century, the Amish initially used them—until restrictions were imposed due to fears that phones might replace face-to-face interactions or encourage gossip.

In some communities, a shared phone shanty (essentially a phone booth) is used for communal calls. However, some adults also carry phones, much like computers, to communicate with employees and clients. Younger members, in particular, may be drawn to the convenience of staying connected through social platforms.

4. Myth: The Amish live in poverty.

While the Amish are often imagined as simple, modest people with limited finances, this doesn’t mean they are poor. Though they avoid flashy displays of wealth—no extravagant jewelry or fancy buggy accessories—they are not bound to a life of financial hardship.

A 2017 New York Times article highlighted how Amish communities in places like Lancaster, Pennsylvania, are adapting to growing populations. Some Amish entrepreneurs are expanding beyond rural areas, opening businesses such as bakeries or food shops in towns while maintaining their traditional lifestyles at home.

These ventures often thrive. The Times noted that around 2000 Amish-owned businesses operate in and around Lancaster, with some achieving multimillion-dollar success. Skilled Amish craftsmen are renowned for their high-quality woodworking and food products, earning strong customer loyalty.

The reasons behind the Amish’s remarkable success are unclear—perhaps it’s their focus or commitment to craftsmanship—but according to Donald Kraybill, only 10 percent of Amish start-ups fail, compared to a 50 percent failure rate among non-Amish small businesses. Land ownership also contributes significantly to their wealth.

While some Amish businesses earn modest profits, and cash-poor individuals are more common in their communities, the notion that all Amish are impoverished is incorrect. Their frugal lifestyles and mutual support systems mean few rely on public assistance—almost none use food stamps, for instance.

Amish communities often collect funds to help members facing emergencies, such as medical crises. However, this is the extent of their financial dependency. They avoid debt and save significantly by growing their own food, handling repairs themselves, and avoiding unnecessary purchases like the latest gadgets.

5. Myth: The Amish never drive.

This misconception is only partly true. Most Amish communities have long practiced a form of social distancing—not from each other, but from the broader world. One way they achieve this is by avoiding modern transportation. In areas with large Amish populations, you might spot designated parking for horse-drawn buggies at stores like Walmart or Costco. For the Amish, a horse-drawn carriage helps maintain a slower pace of life and symbolizes their faith. While a horse limits travel distance, keeping them close to their community, it doesn’t mean they never ride in cars.

Some Amish utilize a unique allowance in their religious teachings that permits them to ride as passengers in motor vehicles. They can hire what’s colloquially called an Amish taxi—a car service catering to their transportation needs. As long as the Amish individual doesn’t own or drive the vehicle, community leaders generally approve. Naturally, the driver must be non-Amish.

Where do they travel? Beyond work, the Amish may want to visit family, shop, or handle errands. They might also use public transit, such as buses. Air travel, however, is typically off-limits.

If you see an Amish person driving a car, they might be an Amish-Mennonite, a group blending Amish conservatism with more progressive practices. Alongside the Beachy Amish, who share similarities, these groups often speak English instead of Pennsylvania Dutch and may adopt more modern attire. However, when most people—even experts—refer to the Amish, they mean the Old Order.

There’s another exception involving vehicles. Some Amish teenagers may learn to drive or even purchase a car. While parents might frown upon it, not all communities forbid it. This is part of Rumspringa, a tradition allowing young members to explore the outside world.

6. Myth: Rumspringa is a time of reckless behavior for the Amish.

Rumspringa is a phase in an Amish teenager’s life—usually during their mid to late teens—when they are allowed to explore the outside world. Contrary to media portrayals, it’s not a free-for-all where kids are encouraged to drink, engage in premarital relationships, or live out a Hollywood-style coming-of-age story with parental approval.

Not exactly. Starting at age 16, Rumspringa allows Amish youth to step beyond their community’s boundaries, meet new people, and experience new environments. However, parents do not condone reckless behavior like excessive drinking or irresponsibility. While some teens may push boundaries, they remain accountable to their families. Not all communities are equally permissive; some may simply let teens socialize with peers, swim, listen to music, or engage in typical youthful activities. Most Amish teens don’t engage in heavy drinking or drug use during this time—their boldest act might be visiting a bowling alley.

Rumspringa, meaning “running around” in Pennsylvania German, isn’t a test to decide whether teens will join the Amish church. While some may make that choice independently, it’s not a requirement. Instead, Rumspringa serves to satisfy curiosity about the outside world, preventing it from becoming a distraction later in life. It also helps teens find a spouse. The expectation is that they will return, be baptized, marry, and embrace Amish life—a path followed by roughly 80 percent of Amish youth.

If they choose to leave the church, they’re not excommunicated or shunned—since they were never formal members. Baptism is required for formal membership, and until then, shunning isn’t applicable. There’s also another reason why shunning from an Amish church isn’t straightforward.

7. Myth: The Amish have traditional churches.

Have you ever noticed the absence of grand Amish churches filled with worshippers? That’s because they don’t exist.

While the Old Order Amish are deeply religious and adhere to strict values, they don’t attend formal churches. Instead, they gather in homes, barns, or workshops. The Amish view faith as an internal experience, not requiring dedicated structures. This approach also saves them the expense and effort of maintaining a building solely for worship.

With congregations consisting of 25 to 30 families, members must live close enough to visit each other’s homes for services. These smaller groups foster strong community bonds among the Amish.

Church services aren’t held every week. Typically, they occur biweekly, with devotional activities taking place in homes during alternate weeks. This rotation ensures no single family is burdened with hosting too frequently—each family hosts roughly once a year.

Where does everyone sit? The Amish have a solution: specialized wagons transport benches to ensure comfort during services, which can last up to three hours.

8. Myth: Outsiders cannot join the Amish church.

While Amish communities generally maintain distance from outsiders to protect their way of life, they don’t outright reject those from outside their culture. Even former suburbanites are not turned away.

The Amish, particularly Amish-Mennonites, occasionally accept seekers—individuals raised in other faiths who are drawn to the simplicity and tranquility of Amish life. These seekers must demonstrate a genuine interest in adopting Amish beliefs, work habits, attire, and language, leaving behind modern conveniences. If the community finds them sincere and they remain committed after experiencing Amish life, they may be welcomed into the fold.

However, such conversions are exceedingly rare. Among the approximately 300,000 Amish in the United States, fewer than 200 are converts. Many who admire the Amish lifestyle adopt certain practices, like limiting technology use, but stay within their own communities. For most, relinquishing modern comforts—such as air conditioning, cars, and music—after 18 to 25 years of enjoying them is simply too difficult. Embracing a slower, more mindful life doesn’t require becoming Amish.

The Amish way of life isn’t rooted in rejecting modern society as inherently wrong. Instead, it’s about prioritizing what truly matters—family, community, and contentment. When you reflect on it, you might find you share more values with the Amish than you initially realized.