[Choose Ye This Day]

Dumb question, but do the Amish pay state and federal income taxes? And property taxes? I imagine they do, I just wasn't sure if there was some sort of religious prohibition.

Do the Amish consider themselves Americans?

Do Amish ever serve in the Armed Forces?

I'm just curious. I know little about them.

[Eska]

Amish I knew back east were pretty respectable, born again and looked to the Bible in decision making. They paid taxes but sure worked the system just like anybody else. They had paid ssn for like 70 years but refused to collect when they turned 62. They see themselves as under God's law and do anything they can to be left alone by our Govt. They see computers as the mark of the beast but don't mind if their English secretary keeps the business computer at her house. They don't serve in military but they complete public service. For the most part, dollar don't pass their eyes and many are quite successful in pallet factories, sawmills, ect Knew one family that each son owned over 40 trucks and employed drivers but didn't have their own licenses. They work for their parents but then the parents give each kid a few hundred thousand to start businesses. Some families, every son has made his first mill by 25.

Amish communities face the same pressures as all Americans face. Jealousy, greed, infidelity (but none ever get divorced), also many genetic medical problems from inbreeding; but the Dutchmen quietly deal with the problems and don't ever want the govt involved.

Bottom line, their word is good and that's probably the most important character trait a man can possess. We can't even get politicals whose word is good.

[Dan Evans]

Do Amish ever serve in the Armed Forces?

Being pacifists, they can't pick up a gun as long as they belong to the church. But I've read of Amish that have left the community (used to be about half) and joined the army. Since they haven't been spoiled by modern luxuries, I can imagine they would be good soldiers.

[KillTime]

Do the Amish consider themselves Americans?

I would imagine they do since they are livng under the freedom of worship America provides them. I also occasionally see groups of Amish touring DC like many patriotic citizens from all over the US.