Amish og polygamist: en dialog om livsstil og tro

Polygamist: Oh I see, so you are one of those Amish people?

Amish: Yes, how did you know?

Polygamist: Well, you have a big beard, a black hat and… well you look kind off old, not to be rude.

Amish: Oh that is okay, I hear that a lot.

Polygamist: So, why is it exactly, that you all wear the same clothes and most of you have such a big beard?

Amish: About the beard, it is just something we do when we get married; we grow a beard to show people that we are “taken”. But men and boys wear dark-colored suits, straight-cut coats, solid-colored shirts, black socks and shoes, and black or straw broad-brimmed hats, because it is an expression of our faith in god. We Amish people feel these distinctive clothes encourage humility and as a separation to the world.

Polygamist: So, you are a Christian?

Amish: Yes, indeed.

Polygamist: Then why do you live so simply? I have heard you do not use any kind of electricity at all.

Amish: That is true. We do not use either cell phones, cars or any kind of electricity. We believe it is against god to use these electronic equipments. Not because we think it is evil, it is because we think that it might be a temptation and deterioration to the life of family and church.