Amish: Religion Trumps Building Codes

AP, Channel 3000 ^ | 12/12/2008 | AP

[gorush]

TOWN OF FRANKLIN, Wis. -- Daniel Borntreger's Jackson County home looks like hundreds of other Wisconsin farmhouses. But it could cost him thousands of dollars in fines. The Amish farmer built it without a permit.

[Malsua]

They can generate their own electricity, but they cannot be connectd to the grid. That’s why they can use cell phones, too

Yup, and they have running water. They use an air compressor to charge a big air tank. They don't lack for modern conveniences, they just have to be self reliant. Most that I knew used 12v dc lights and a bank of batteries they charged every few days or so.

[Chickensoup]

Ever go by one of those houses as night? It’s not flickering candles you’re seeing in the windows.

No, it is some of the best propane lanterns in the world.