The Example of the Amish

Thrust into the limelight by a shocking tragedy is a quiet community seeking to be self-sufficient. So counter-culture is their lifestyle that for most people the Amish serve only as a tourist attraction. Busy caring for their families and the earth, they have now been forced to articulate to the world their core beliefs which are based on the teachings of Jesus.

Their mandate to forgive even their enemies was evident when the father of the intruder--murderer of their children—was immediately assured by an Amish spokesman, “We will forgive you.” Subsequently many Amish attended the funeral of the “enemy.” Presently we hear that monies sent them are being shared with the murderer’s family and disaster victims anywhere as determined by Mennonite Central Committee and Mennonite Disaster Service. (Rochester benefited by their compassion during the aftermath of the 1978 flood.)

Starkly contrasting are the messages we hear every day about how to treat our enemies. Is it possible that the “naivete” the Amish are showing comes at a time when our very survival depends on our trying something different in human relations?

Please also reference another article I posted on this topic, written by Donald B. Kraybill, Ph.D., entitled Why the Amish Forgive: Tales of Redemption at Nickel Mines.