Your call
When visitors ask whether the local Amish use telephones our immediate answer is yes. Now, as to whether they have telephones … that’s something you’ll have to decide for yourself. Amish certainly do not have telephones in their homes and this is part of the Ordnung, a set of unwritten rules which guide Amish life. Although the rationale for this practice is complex, the primary argument against phones in the home is that they represent both a real and a symbolic connection to the world. Amish are not, however, prohibited from using phones and in today’s increasingly complex world phones (including cell phones) are necessary, especially because they allow the Amish to maintain connections with distant family and to conduct business. The welding shop about which I posted back in December has a phone, complete with voice mail. Several families will often share a phone which can be situated in a barn, workshop, or in a Phone Shanty. Having the phone in a Shanty at some distance from the home preserves the requirement for physical separation but also allows that it be present when needed. Perhaps the Amish are playing what I would call a Lawyer’s Game when they place the Shanty out by the road and off the legal limit to the property, like the one I photographed this morning. So, what do you think … do the Amish have phones?
It is an interesting idea to know about what they are allowed and what they aren’t and how they get around the rules about what they aren’t allowed to have. I find the Amish really interesting.
This post is great food for thought, especially the dichotomy between our desire to be connected (via blog! and just a text away!) and how appealing the notion of off the grid living is. It is also an interesting lecture on systems sustainability waiting to happen … perhaps another day
Hmm … systems sustainability. Very interesting indeed. I have talked before about the use of the word ‘sustainable’ before. Few realize that sustainable living simply maintains the global status quo and doesn’t make the world a better place. Certainly the world is better than it would be if we didn’t live in a sustainable way (this is relative result) … but it doesn’t make the world any better in an absolute sense (absolute result). Wouldn’t it be better of all the granola-crunching-tree-huggers out there started preaching that we all live in such a way that pushed the ecological clock backward … to say … 1900? Thanks for reading and commenting (especially the former). D
I’m not a lover of the phone and wish it was in a little shack out on the side of the road … they’ve got something there
I am tied to my cell phone, though, to be able to be connected to my children that are in other states. If I were an Amish Mom or Dad, I’d be grateful for the ability to stay in touch. Also, as with all technology, the use of the phone intentionally for safety and health is smart. I’m no authority, I try not to judge, but I often think God gave us a brain to use it. Great photo, excellent essay.
This is a great image (love the red, white and blue) and certainly some food for thought! Just shows how ambivalent some Amish are about their reliance on technology. They want/need it and yet go to certain lengths to make sure it’s not on their property so they won’t be ostracized! Kudos to you for coming up with beautiful images that have some sort of lessons/something to make you think!
Getting to know a few Amish and hearing stories about others has given us a bit of insight into just how ‘normal’ they are … perhaps more so (especially the teenagers). Glad to know someone out there is reading carefully. D
They are the same as any other faith or way of life. You pick and chose what you want to follow and rationalize the rest.
Yes, absolutely! I’m no expert on the Amish but the little I have read (written by apparently authoritative and learned sources) concludes just that! Your word choice is spot on as well – to rationalize – that is exactly what is done. A group of Elders is put in the position of having to balance scripture with having to be part of the larger society. And the Amish are certainly that … they simply participate at a bit of a distance. But they do participate, and having to do so while living within scriptural directives can be difficult. That being said, I admire my Amish neighbors for their ability to work very hard and (in general) be very excellent and friendly people. Thanks very much for your comment ‘yourothermotherhere.’ It’s always nice to know that, every once in a while, someone really does read and show interest in what I have written. Your attention has been very much appreciated. D
Of course they have phones … they just pretend they don’t. Nice composition, crisp, clear, and with nice color and shadow. Nice job!
Yes … getting to know the Amish a bit and hearing about some of the exploits of others does indeed lead me to conclude that they are every bit as human as you and I … perhaps even more so in some ways. D
Easy to argue both ways, but not convincingly. Another lawyer’s game, like you said. For me the real questions are whether that way of life is healthy for them (easy – that’s for them to decide, not me) and healthy for me (easy – not really. A complex balance of world-wide electronic connectedness + real life connectedness is what I like).
Thanks Maurice. It all boils down to what you’re used to and what you grew up with. Although I do not pretend to understand all that they do and the reasons for certain practices, I do admire many Amish that I have come to know for their ability to work very hard and to be very nice folk. I must admit that I too enjoy certain, technological, creature comforts. I have always wanted to live off-the-grid however … isn’t it funny to reflect upon the fact-of-the-matter that I’ve never had enough money to do so (that just seems to counter-intuitive to me). Anyway, thanks again for another always-thoughtful comment. D