What's up today (bullchiting) thread.

I live just north of what is supposed to be the second largest Amish population in the states, and one thing is consistent with them, inconsistency!
It comes down to what sect and or church they are part of, and what the Bishop of their church allows...but many of them now are allowed to have modern equipment/tools for their business, just not personally...yeah right, I'm gonna go to work and use power tools all day then go home and hand hew beams...
They can even own cars/trucks for the business, but have to hire an "Englishman" to operate it.
If they identity as Mennonite, then most of those can/do own/drive cars.
There are TONS of minor little differences in what the individual churches believe

 

Buncha posers. Not much true/real anymore.

Rented a house from a Mennonite in Ohio while attending college. Owned a pallet factory at the end of the road. Then, they were considered "modern Amish". They had everything modern but looked the Amish part. That was the easiest way to tell the cultures apart. Guess i can throw that reasoning out the window.....

 

Maybe to some degree...I guess I'd blame the leaders (Bishops) as they control the church with a heavy hand and read/interpret the bible (many times old testament only) to their church family, many times the members are not allowed the have their own Bible (sounds a little cultish, no?!) and people that try to leave the church are shunned by the whole family/community, so TONS of pressure to not rock the boat!
I know there are ministries out there that are reaching out to try to get the Truth out to the Amish community, but it's a real uphill climb, so much control imbedded!
Unfortunately too many of the young people that do get out leave the church entirely, just go off the rails.

 

That part about members not owning a Bible is something i hadn't heard before and something i probably won't soon forget. On paper they might sound good but in practice, definitely cultish.

EDIT: I'm about an hour from Shipshewana, IN. Supposedly 3rd largest in the nation. Probably ain't been there for 20+ years. Went as a kid, with mom n mawmaw, to the flee market.

 

Short but strong storm last night. Pulled three of our patio lamps out of their mounts. One of my bird feeders tumble about 80 yards in the. pasture. Cold and windy all day. Just enough nastiness to remind us we aren’t quite finished with out wood burning

 

I'd consider modern equipment part of that. That's apparently just me though

 

To give credit where it’s due; the Amish have a reputation for quality work and a good work ethic
When Mennonite farms makes donuts and pie a bunch of men in line encouraging each other to use church manners

 

Oh snowing here no pics but my black dog looks like a Holstein