What is the Difference Between Amish and Mennonite

We
find religious diversity across the world but most religions stem from the same
religion. And in Europe, this diversification is more prominent and visible.

Almost
all religion talks about a certain belief system and different practices to
show how well it can bring the positivity in follower’s life. Similarities do
exist but dissimilarities are easy to mark.

Amish and Mennonite are two such Christian groups
whose roots are the same but with time they got divided, changed, and developed
different belief systems.

Both, Amish and Mennonite, belong to the Anabaptists group where their basis of belief system was in the simplicity of faith and their practices are retrieved from the Bible. And this base is still followed by them.

Amish vs Mennonite

The main difference between Amish and Mennonite is that Amish group was founded by Jakob Ammann, who believed that any kind of sin needs a serious punishment. Many people get attracted to this concept of Jacob Amann and started following it. Whereas, another group named as Mennonites followed the same old peaceful practices of Anabaptists.

Amish follow traditional and very strict practices Anabaptists. They
don’t get involved with other people in the world and don’t believe in
technology adoption. They dress very plain traditional clothes and travel
through buggies or scooters.

Mennonites are known as a non-violent and flexible group of Anabaptists. They embrace and adopt the latest technology in their daily life. They are involved more in missionary work to help deprived people and spread their belief & faith across the world.

Amish belong to the North American Christian
group, formerly belonged to the Anabaptists group. Amish group was founded by Jakob Ammann in the late 17the century.

Jakob Ammann was a reluctant and strong believer of ex-communication i.e. if anybody doesn’t follow the laid rules of religion and lie, he/she will be shunned from the community.

He was a non-resistance believer too but sturdily favored social
shunning of people who are involved in any kind of wrongdoings.

Amish people live in close-knit communities that are separated from the mainstream world. They follow very stringent customs, life, and behavior rules that are not specifically written but exist and known as Ordnung.

German or the regular dialect of German or Pennsylvania Dutch is
the language used by Amish people for
communication at church and English in daily life at home.

Amish people do the Church services at home within the closed community on a rotational basis. They wear very plain clothes that are known as a nonconformist lifestyle. Amish man has a full beard without mustaches and women wear solid-color dresses without any jewelry.

Amish group strictly prohibits the use of technology of any kind. And the
mode of transportation is a horse-driven vehicle or scooter.

Mennonites’ group was a result of the 16th-century reformation movement that comes out from Anabaptists. It was named after Frisian Menno Simons, a Dutch priest, who tried to institutionalize the workings of moderate Anabaptist leaders.

Mennonites’ belief and faith systems revolve around
human betterment where they try to help the poor of any section. They live
commonly among the normal population, not in close-knit communities.

They believe in belongingness and are known as peacemakers. The German language was used by them in the late 16th century but later they adopted English as their common communication language at home as well as at Church.

Mennonites gives more emphasis on one’s pacifist and
conscience to worship God. They believe that religion and the rest world should
not be mixed and should be followed separately.

They follow rigorous religious practices and discipline in their group. They live a simple life with simple clothing but yes evolved with time and are involved in the advancements about education, social, and economical fronts.

Mennonites moderately use modern technology in day-to-day life. And also use automobiles for transportation.

To understand the history of any
religion or community, we need to find their point of origin. Today many
Christian groups in Europe and England got originated from different movements.

Although, all communities are different and hold different faith and belief systems. We may found some anomalies in these groups or communities but most of them are having their basic essence from the same roots.

All follow Christ and talk about
Christianity discipleship. And this is also true that they are developing,
evolving, and changing with time.

There is much more in their history,
theology, and beliefs, so just a few words can only tell a few differences
between Amish and Mennonite, to know the reality of basis and existence one
needs to learn more.

1. https://www.etown.edu/centers/young-center/files/hmorton-references/Pediatric%20Medicine%20and%20Genetics%202003.pdf
2. https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/Physical_activity_profile_of_old_order_Amish_Mennonite_and_contemporary_children/9626393/files/17275031.pdf