When most people think of the Amish, they envision horse-drawn buggies and a complete rejection of modern life. However, the reality of Amish technology use is far more nuanced and deliberate than simple avoidance. Instead of a blanket ban, these communities engage in a process of collective discernment to determine which tools strengthen their community and which might lead to its fragmentation.
The central guiding principle for Amish technology use is the concept of Gelassenheit, which emphasizes submission to the community and God. This means that every potential innovation is evaluated based on its impact on family life and spiritual health. If a tool is deemed to create unnecessary distance between neighbors or distract from a simple life, it is typically restricted or modified.
The Role of the Ordnung
The specific rules governing Amish technology use are found in the Ordnung, an unwritten set of guidelines that varies from one church district to another. Because each district is autonomous, you will find a wide spectrum of technological adoption across different settlements. What is permitted in a community in Ohio might be strictly forbidden in a more conservative district in Pennsylvania.
The Ordnung acts as a protective boundary, ensuring that the community maintains its distinct identity. When a new technology emerges, the church leadership and the congregation discuss its potential consequences. This slow-paced approach allows the community to observe the effects of technology on the outside world before deciding whether to adopt it.
Electricity and the Power Grid
One of the most visible aspects of Amish technology use is the rejection of the public electrical grid. This is not because the Amish believe electricity is inherently evil, but because a physical connection to the grid represents a symbolic and practical link to the “English” or outside world. By remaining off the grid, the Amish maintain a higher degree of self-sufficiency and separation.
However, this does not mean the Amish do not use electricity at all. Many communities utilize alternative power sources for essential tasks. Common methods of generating power include:
- Solar Power: Used extensively to charge batteries for buggy lights, calculators, and even some household appliances.
- Pneumatics and Hydraulics: Many Amish workshops use compressed air to power heavy machinery, replacing electric motors with air-driven alternatives.
- Diesel Generators: Often used to power large equipment in barns or businesses, though they are usually kept outside to maintain a boundary between the machine and the home.
- Battery Power: Small, portable batteries are frequently used for flashlights and other minor tools that do not require a permanent connection to the outside world.
Communication and the Telephone
Amish technology use regarding communication is particularly interesting because it prioritizes face-to-face interaction. In many districts, having a telephone inside the home is prohibited because it is seen as an intrusion that can disrupt family life. It allows the outside world to enter the private sanctuary of the household at any time.
To solve the practical need for communication, many communities utilize “phone shacks.” These are small structures located at the end of a farm lane or shared between several families. By placing the phone outside the home, the Amish ensure that its use remains intentional and strictly for necessity rather than idle gossip or constant distraction.
The Rise of the Smartphone
In recent years, the emergence of the smartphone has presented a significant challenge to traditional Amish technology use. Because these devices are small and easily hidden, they are more difficult for the community to regulate than a landline or a tractor. Some younger members or business owners may use smartphones for work, but this often remains a point of intense discussion within the church.
Transportation and Travel
The horse and buggy remains the primary symbol of Amish life, serving as a deliberate choice to limit the speed of life. By relying on horses, the Amish ensure that their daily activities remain centered within a small geographic radius. This strengthens local ties and ensures that members remain dependent on their immediate neighbors.
Despite this, Amish technology use in transportation allows for some flexibility. While they do not own or drive automobiles, most Amish are permitted to ride as passengers in cars, buses, or trains. This allows them to travel for business, medical appointments, or to visit distant family members without the social disruption that would come from owning a private vehicle.
Technology in the Workplace
As farmland becomes more expensive and scarce, many Amish have moved into small business and manufacturing. This shift has necessitated a more complex approach to Amish technology use. To remain competitive in the modern marketplace, Amish craftsmen often use sophisticated tools, provided they are adapted to meet community standards.
For example, a furniture maker might use a high-end CNC machine, but instead of plugging it into the wall, they may power it using a diesel engine or a hydraulic system. This allows the business to produce high-quality goods while still adhering to the spiritual requirement of remaining disconnected from the public utility grid.
Balancing Commerce and Tradition
The goal of Amish technology use in business is to provide a livelihood that keeps the family together. If a technology allows a father to work on his own property rather than taking a job in a factory far away, the community is more likely to view it favorably. The focus is always on whether the tool serves the family or if the family becomes a slave to the tool.
Computers and the Internet
General computer use and internet access are typically restricted in Amish homes. The internet is viewed as a gateway to worldly influences, including pornography, consumerism, and values that conflict with the Amish way of life. However, as with other technologies, there are exceptions for business purposes.
Some Amish businesses utilize third-party services to manage websites or handle online orders. In some cases, a business might have a computer in a dedicated office space that lacks a direct internet connection, using it only for word processing or accounting. The key is to prevent the internet from becoming a source of entertainment or a distraction from communal duties.
The Future of Amish Technology Use
The Amish are not a stagnant society; they are constantly adapting to the world around them. Amish technology use will continue to evolve as new inventions emerge and economic pressures change. The ongoing challenge for these communities is to adopt the “useful” while discarding the “harmful,” always keeping their spiritual and communal goals at the forefront.
By observing the Amish approach, we can learn a great deal about intentionality. They remind us that technology is not an inevitable force, but a series of choices. Whether or not one agrees with their specific restrictions, their commitment to evaluating the social and spiritual cost of every new gadget offers a unique perspective in our hyper-connected age.
Learn More About Intentional Living
If you are interested in how different cultures manage the pressures of the modern world, consider exploring more about simple living and intentional communities. Understanding Amish technology use can inspire us to reflect on our own relationship with the digital world. Take a moment today to evaluate which technologies in your life bring you closer to your goals and which ones might be standing in the way of the life you want to lead.