CCC Interview

What is your normal daily routine on a weekday?
"The men get up at 4 o’clock in the morning to go outside and do farm work. This includes milking cows, planting in the fields, harvesting crops, feeding chickens, or running their business. The women and children will stay at home and do housework, cleaning, cooking, and sewing quilts. Sometimes young boys will go out to work with their fathers in the fields if they are old enough and strong enough.”

On a Sunday?
“Every other Sunday, the Amish worship, and after the three hour service, they will go back to their homes for a small meal. They will then go out in the fields and work, while the women do housework. Sometimes they will go visit friends or family."

Why is it that the Amish remain almost colonial in their way of life?
“When they came over from Europe, they did not have tractors, telephones, or any type of technology, and they choose to stay away from becoming worldly. They try to live life the same ways that their ancestors did.”

Why are certain forms of technology forbidden in Amish communities?
“The government would not take milk from their cows because it wasn’t cooled, so they had to begin using refrigerators. They also have computers if they own a business so they can keep track of things, and contact other businesses or suppliers.”

Do the Amish pay taxes?
“Many people believe that the Amish do not pay taxes, but that is incorrect. They pay all of the taxes that everyone else does. However, if they are self-employed, they do not pay Social Security, or receive it when they retire.”

Do the Amish participate in Presidential elections?
“The Amish are very politically active, especially if someone they like is running. I say politically active meaning they will go vote, not that they attempt to run for any sort of government (local or national) positions. They participate in local and presidential elections very often. They were very supportive of President Bush the last two elections.”

Are there any people in your community who have left their families and gone to live in a city, or anywhere outside of an Amish community?
Yes, but it is a very rare occurrence. 92% of their children maintain in the church, and with their families, while only 8% move on to live a mainstream life.”

Do children attend public schools, or do you have schools in town designated completely to Amish children?
“They have their own schools, and have to be 15 when they graduate the eighth grade. This is the only restriction placed on the Amish educationally by the government. They must go to school at least until the 8th grade, and if they are not fifteen when they graduate, they must attend Saturday school until they are fifteen.”

Why is it forbidden for the Amish to enter the military?
“It is set down in the Mennonite religion that they are forbidden to kill, and that they shall love their enemies. Therefore, they are just exempted from entering into action in the military, although they have served in other ways in the past, such as during WWII.”

Are they exempt from the draft?
“Our country maintains provisions for the Amish, and it is law that the Amish cannot be drafted into the Army or any other combat involved division of the military. However, they can still be drafted and placed in non-violent positions.”