[BubbaHeel]

Anabaptists are radical pacifists. They do not fight, they leave.

But do they believe in calling in the police to do their fighting for them?

[YdontUleaveLibs]

I was wondering about that myself. It is almost as if they are Canadian. I do hope this gets the Amish to think about self defense though. It is a shame they can't just live in the world and be happy that goes for all of us. But, there are evil people in the world and sometimes you must defend yourself against them.

[TNdandelion]

At the time the woman called for help, it was a hostage situation and there was still hope that it could be resolved peaceably.

The police had the means and the equipment to make contact with the perp.

I believe they were acting in accordance to their faith. Hoping that someone could help resolve this without violence.

[pandoraou812]

If I have a problem and call the police what is the difference? Just because they don't believe in fighting doesn't mean the police shouldn't be there for them too. And there are differences between the sects of the Amish. I think there are there are as many as eight different orders within the Amish population, with the majority affiliated with one of five religious orders - Old Order Amish, New Order Amish, Andy Weaver Amish, Beachy Amish, and Swartzentruber Amish. The churches operate independently from each other with differences in how they practice their religion and conduct their daily lives. The Old Order Amish are the largest group and the Swartzentruber Amish, an offshoot of the Old Order, are the most conservative. I go up to Lancaster quite a few times a year to buy antiques from them and have heard stories where they will defend themselves if someone breaks into their homes. One Amish man subdued the person who broke into his house, tied him up with horse reigns and had his son go to an English neighbor to call the police. They do hunt and therefore they have guns. I think they would wish the media to stop taking their pictures and just let them bury their dead and get on with mourning and their lives.

[Chickensoup]

But do they believe in calling in the police to do their fighting for them?


It would have been irresponsible not to call local English authorities. This man could have rampaged through English as well as Amish communities.