Based on what I’ve seen for many years around upstate New York the so-called pious Amish have no problem compromising their beliefs when they think they can make a buck doing so.
The men often have no problems putting moden technology out in the barn when it helps their business.
Depends upon the kgroup. These are Old Order.
If they can use their beliefs to hold off Big Brother I’m fine with it.
Perhaps you don't actually know why they do the things they do. I had a long conversation with a wonderful Amish man while we were both on vacation in Florida last year. I learned a lot, and became hard-pressed to disagree with many of his view points.
Their shunning of modern equipment does not stem from regarding it as evil. Many of them use power tools, welding machinery and so on. It is mostly communications equipment that they shun. They prefer to converse with their families in person, which contrasts sharply with the families I see texting with others when gathered at restaurants. They object to the TV robbing families of quality time together, or bringing normalcy to immoral practice into their homes in the form of modern sitcoms.
Different groups ban different things as chosen by their elders. They do practice self rule, and believe that most Americans are slaved to government rules that are immoral or just plain thoughtless.
His family was, in general, completely unaware of current events.
Truthfully, I felt a bit envious of their innocence and lack of unawareness of how cruel and heartless life in this Nation has become.
In any case, what is it to you that they are frugal, hardworking and practical?
The Amish are not opposed to technology per se. They are opposed to technology that disrupts family and community life.
The Amish use disposable diapers, chemical fertilizers and pesticides and grow genetically modified crops. Phones, so long as they aren’t in the home, are OK.
They are also very decentralized, so how one group interprets that may be different from how others do. Some allow tractors. Some don’t. Heck, some allow only open buggies. Others allow covered buggies. They are increasingly allowing electricity in their barns and workshops, but many allow it only if it comes from off-grid sources.
Rather, they are not a monolithic group, and rather than compromising their beliefs, I think in most cases they compromise what many assume are their beliefs due to believing they are a monolithic group.
...”Amish have no problem compromising their beliefs when they think they can make a buck doing so”...
Same in Lancaster Country where I lived for a time. The men use to use the areas pay phones to do business...I suspect they use cells now. But we would see them run to the phone booths or hang out waiting for a call. ...and too many of them treat their horse like crap.
Even the women are in on the games....they sell “Amish Baked Goods” almost most places....what the public doesn’t know is the woman buy pre-prepared foods, pop them in the oven and “Bake” them....then pass them off as “Amish Baked”...which technically they are Baked....they just aren’t made by the women.