| Can you imagine a life without the telephone? Or | | | | modern technology and its derivatives is bound to |
| without electricity, or heated water in winters and the | | | | create different income levels, which would further |
| cooling influence of an AC in summers? Difficult, if not | | | | lead to competition and the will to outdo the other. Both |
| impossible. Yet there is a traditional society which | | | | aspects are against the very essence of the |
| shuns the use of these very symbols of a modern | | | | movement, which has an equal society as its |
| world and stick to their beliefs of simple living and high | | | | foundation. |
| thinking. Living in the midst of the chaos of the modern | | | | Where technology does not preclude contact with the |
| world, the Amish clan presents a calm 'No, thank you, | | | | outside world, it may sometimes be used. Thus you |
| but we are doing just fine' rebuff to the comforts of | | | | are unlikely to find a television due to its perceived |
| modern technology. | | | | corrupting influence, but in a curious adaptation to the |
| The reason why the Amish shun technology lies in | | | | need of the day, some electric machines may be |
| their religious beliefs. Known to lead a reclusive lifestyle | | | | used, provided, firstly, they do not depend on outside |
| due to their religious restrictions, the Amish are an | | | | electricity, and secondly, have a human element |
| ascetic, reclusive group of people who try and keep | | | | attached to it. An electric grass mover may be used, |
| their distance from the trappings of modern life. Not | | | | for instance, but only if it is to be pulled along by a |
| that technology would make their life less comfortable, | | | | human. Similarly, a wood carving machine may be |
| but mainly it is seen as an affront to well established | | | | used to make the basic structure of Amish furniture, |
| traditions and a simple and rugged life. | | | | but the final finish would still have to be done by the |
| Take the use of the telephone. The small little | | | | carpenter's hand. |
| instrument is a symbol of the progress man has made | | | | The simplicity would have to be retained, and you are |
| in the field of communications over the past centuries. | | | | unlikely to find too flashy a design in Amish |
| The shunning could well be a result of the belief that | | | | handcrafted furniture. Tradition is of essence here, and |
| widespread use of the telephone will lead to outside | | | | it may take days to make a single piece, yet |
| influences creeping in, and hence spoil the purity of their | | | | technology will only be used where it does not |
| culture. The society, however, does not prohibit the use | | | | interfere with the cultural requirements. Even then, you |
| of modern technology where it becomes essential- for | | | | can be reasonably sure that whatever the quantum of |
| instance, calls may be made and received for business | | | | electricity used, the timber for the Amish made |
| purposes, but only if made from a booth outside the | | | | furniture has probably been cut on a diesel run |
| home. The idea being to avoid its influence on the | | | | generator rather than the regular supply! |
| traditional household lifestyle, it is not allowed inside the | | | | Though it may not be the ideal way to live for most |
| home. | | | | tech junkies, the Amish way of life does offer a few |
| Another reason for the shunning of technology is the | | | | lessons in simple living. Talk to an Amish gentleman or |
| perceived differences it is likely to bring within the | | | | a lady, and you will find a person unhindered by the |
| society. While current following of traditional beliefs | | | | shackles of modern trappings, happy in the simplicity of |
| results in a nearly equal society, the adoption of | | | | his or her life. |