Editor's Mailbox: Can Anyone Join the Amish?

Anyone can join the Amish, but it takes a lot of time, effort, and commitment and sincere intent of heart.

By Kevin Williams

Okay, Mike writes:

HI KEVIN,MY NAME IS MIKE AND I AM INTERESTED TO KNOW IF A MAN SUCH AS MYSELF WANTED TO LIVE IN A AMISH COMMUNITY AND LIVE THEIR WAY IS IT POSSIBLE.?..I MISS THE OLD WAYS OF GROWING VEGATABLES AND CUTTING ABD TRAMMING HAY....THANK U

Well, this is an interesting question and we've discussed it on this site before. Last week we talked about attending an Amish church, but that is very different than actually joining, although in this case Mike asks "live in" an Amish community.

First of all, living in an Amish community vs. joining, that is an interesting distinction.  Anyone can live in an Amish community, simply buy a house and move to Holmes County, Ohio and live the "old ways."  Now Unity, Maine's Amish community has proven to be a beacon for outsiders wanting to join and there are, in fact, some outsiders living there who haven't really joined, but they live the Amish way, dress the Amish way, and even worship with them. There are plenty of people who have left the Amish but still retain many of their ways.  So simply living in an Amish community is very doable.

Joining is tougher.  I mean, anyone can join, but the bar is set pretty high.  You have to learn the language (Pennsylvania Dutch), be on board with all the theological aspects, give up most modern conveniences, and eventually earn the bishop's blessing.

For more about where you'd join, check out this post about 5  Amish communities most open to outsiders joining.