You can't convert to the Amish religion. You have to be born into it. As a result, Amish communities suffer from a whole suite of genetic ailments. You would not believe the number of cousin marriages around here. (I think the Old-Order Amish only consisted of about 20 different extended families.)
Amish who wish to marry outside their faith may do so, but the spouse is not welcomed into the faith, and the Amish person gives up the Amish way of life. Those who marry out usually are the adventurous ones and they don't mind anyway.
The Amish don't allow baptism until adulthood, so if you are never baptized (and you can be baptized at any point during your adult life), you are never part of the church. Those who leave the faith usually don't get baptized, so they can still maintain contact with their family and friends. Only those who renounce their faith after baptism are shunned.
I'm not sure why any of you should care about this, but I feel compelled to share every so often.
Regards--
Mary Anne
Off Topic » in reply to Re: the shallow end
The Amish
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