I saw a great movie you might like- it's a documentary- it's about rumspringa- when the Amish send their 16 year old children out into the world of the English, so that they can go party, and run wild, and decide whether they really want to be Amish. As you probably know, the Amish don't believe in baptizing infants, they think only adults can choose Christ (which is why they were persecuted everywhere, and ended up in America).
So anyway, this movie, called The Devil's Playground, follows several young Amish men and women as they live through their rumspringa. It's a fascinating peep into a community we normally don't get to hear much about. 5 stars for this one. And it's very even handed- imo. I rented it at Hollywood video. It isn't available at any of our Blockbuster videos.
npr.org
The only really sad thing about the Amish, imo, is that they make their children drop out in 8th grade. So if they do not choose the church, their options are going to be very limited. The Amish believe education leads to pride. Alas, this leaves their kids with few choices- and it may account for the reason so many return to the church- what else are they going to do? In one sad conversation two boys talk about how they would be planning for college, if they were "English" boys. It's a sad conversation, that highlights their lost opportunities. Of course they do have access to a community most of us can't even imagine, but for the really gifted and intelligent Amish, I'm not sure there is much fulfillment to be had. Plus they all seem to live in fear of Hell, which seems a sad way to make choices, but whatever. |
