[Hilda]

Smoke detectors are against their religious beliefs? Sorry - I have to disagree. Smoke detectors prevent buildings from burning down, and fires spread. Maybe to the houses of people who AREN’T Amish.

[jas3]

Smoke detectors are against their religious beliefs? Sorry - I have to disagree. Smoke detectors prevent buildings from burning down, and fires spread. Maybe to the houses of people who AREN’T Amish

Smoke detectors only alert occupants that there is smoke. They don't prevent buildings from burning down.

The Amish live in rural communities almost exclusively on farms with vast acreage. There is next to no risk of a fire spreading to a neighbor. However, in the event of a fire, the entire community pitches in and rebuilds your home at no cost.

jas3

[ApplegateRanch]

Smoke detectors prevent buildings from burning down, and fires spread.

Sorry, but they do neither of those things. They are ALARMS, not prevention nor supression devices.

Whats more, they, under the new codes, MUST be hardwired into the electical system of the home, and these Old Order Amish do NOT have wiring in their homes. They don't just disconnect the power; the walls do NOT have wiring in them.

If forced, the OOA will build the house with the wiring; be inspected & signed off, then remove the wiring as well as be disconnected.

What this gal is doing is coming around, and doing LATER inspections based on suspicion, then getting them for being out of compliance because they didn't (and couldn't have anyway) get permits to get rid of those dadratted, newfangled Satanic electricicles from their homes.

...Morristown code enforcement officer Lanetta Kay Davis, who was appointed in 2006, has selectively issued a number of code violations to the Amish. The complaint also alleged that she has posted messages at an anti-Amish Web site and zealously enforced the code, even issuing tickets on off-hours after making unannounced visits to Amish homes to conduct intrusive inspections.

When was the last time a "code enforcement officer" (Building Inspector) showed up on your doorstep, and demanded to be allowed to inspect your home for possible violations? Had they also posted messages on a forum that is avowedly against your religion, thus establishing prejudice?

As to so called public safety, However, the lawsuit noted that there have been no building collapses, fires, or other public emergencies that would provide the town with a compelling interest to enforce the building code on the Amish.

[PhilipFreneau]

>>>Smoke detectors are against their religious beliefs? Sorry - I have to disagree. Smoke detectors prevent buildings from burning down, and fires spread.<<<

You little Nazi! What other Mother Hen rules do you support?