they had a german baptist cloisters in ephrata pa which is the heart of amich country - they lived in the cloistered community not necessarily among the deutchers tho they were german themselves I suppose. my father's family was presbyterian and they were tradesmen not farmers....I guess that is what his branch of the family evolved to outside of the cloister as his branch of that family left the cloister and went to NE Pennsylvania (presumably to work the coal mines or the railroads during the big coal times)


some of this history I have had to piece together and some is known. interestingly I found a reference to the ephrata cloisters in the amich museum here in Ohio when I vacationed in Tuscarawas County a couple years ago. (Ohio is now a slightly larger amich community than ephrata/lancaster county Pa)

Atheism isn't a religion anyway. I mean, is bald a hair color?

You and I are on the same page.

Small world. I currently live in greater Cleveland, Ohio (having previously lived in southwestern, northwestern and central Ohio) and have friends in Tuscarawas county. I drive through Ohio's Amish country with some regularity, as well as Amish areas in western Pennsylvania, and I grew up in Chautauqua county, New York, which also has a sizeable Amish population.

I have vacationed at the Chataqua and was charmed by the area. used to drive thru it all the time to visit relatives - tho I haven't now for some time. I stayed (literally) on top of a mountain in Tuscawaras - beautiful view - nice B&B - great place for something like an Ohio/Midwest/Ontario mingle meet up -

They believe the Bible says what it means. They do not adorn their churches with idolatry, not even crosses. Their message is love and they probably, not sure, have one of the largest evangelical movements in the world...where they help build wells for villages and spread the word doing so, etc.

I don't have one and don't want one. Yahushua is not a religion. I stay away from being called one "Christian". No offense to those who don't have a problem with it! I don't want to be Lumped in Gomen.

How did I decided that Yahushua was right for me? It's a long story.

I didn't have a choice it was either die or Live in Him.

I struggle with me not so much Him. Living by His Spirit is not easy...it takes time,I can be impatient because I want so much more of His Spirit(craving)!

HUGZ!

It IS a great idea!

Atheism is a religion.
As you have to believe in not believing.
It's an organized group that falls under the category of religion.
And yes, bald is a hair color.

I think in Missouri, which is where my family immigrated to from Bavaria and France, have fewer Ordnung than other states, especially some of the more Amish populated states like PA and OH. I'm always curious when I hear the practices of some Ordnung that are so very different than the Amish principles I'm familiar with.

For instance in North Dakota and South Dakota, they mix freely with Mennonite relatives, can use computers and cell phones outside of the cloister and they actively recruit new members. There is no Amish community in Missouri where this would fly outside of Rumspringa maybe.

It sounds as though your family did something similar to my own...retaining most lifestyle practices near the community while embracing Baptist beliefs. My family made a lateral move...or so I view it...from Amish to Dunkard just for the sake of Baptism and because it was the only OGBB sect in the area at the time. Well, that's what they make it sound like anyway.

Puritan sects are no more split up and confusing than any of the others really, are they?...despite all their efforts at unity.

Be careful though.
It will make whatever character you are drawing / coloring bald.

<-- Like this guy.

Nope. Look up the definition of "religion" in any reputable dictionary, and you'll see that atheism doesn't fit.


No, atheists simply don't believe in the existence of a deity. Do you have to believe in not believing there is an invisible pink unicorn in your closet in order to not believe there is an invisible pink unicorn in your closet, or is simply disbelieving in the existence of said unicorn enough?


Organized? How are they organized? (Answer: They aren't.)


So what color is the wart on the end of your nose?

Bald is the state of having no hair. It isn't a color.

Atheism is a religion! I laugh at your "reputable dictionary"!
It does fit!
Fits quite nicely in fact!
No differently than any other religion in this puzzle!

Right!
Atheists believe in nothing!
No god with nothing in it's place! Nothing!
Meaning that atheists ultimately believe in nothing!

Nope! I have to believe in not believing that that unicorn is there or else it will be there and then it will try stealing all of my Mountain Dew for the Mountain Dew stealing aliens!
Those soabs!

How aren't they organized!? They are!!
You see it all the time!
Trying to fight in the courts to get equal status as other religions!
To get the right to put up their displays next to other religions!

Bald is a color!
You just can't see it!

when you find the right fuggi grow crayons.. Please let me know

The Amish around Clark MO. are very respected. Very hard workers and growing up on a farm close to them we bought grass seed ect. from them. I really liked them

Wow....this is an endearing thought for me as well. Touches close to my heart.

*Polite Bow*

Agreed!

actaully their unity, or sense of community even among the divisions is remarkable. Here in Ohio I used to live (until about 3 yrs ago) in a Mennonite area and yes, the Mennonite are in some cases much more modern than the amich but some are quite traditional in dress even if they have cars & use phones

I was at the Jersy Shore a few years ago ( where many from eastern Pa. vacation) and I observed an amich family at an ice cream stand. the parents were probably early 20s, they had already 5 or6 kinder. the clothes on all - parent & kinder were clearly handmade but of the finest quality stich and seaming I have ever seen. and mama was very young...the kinder pleasant and incredibly well behaved. I was impressed. :)

there is no point in struggle wolfie

the message is one of love not struggle

where there is struggle - there is a need for a new idea :)