Are the Amish a cult?

[rsc2a]

Alayman has decided to school me about the Amish. He's claimed the Amish are a cult, so I'm interested in his justification for this statement.

Alayman?

 

[Smellin Coffee]

In general, cults set up one as a major leader. Dunno of any major leaders among the Amish. Not saying they don't exist, just never heard of one.

 

[ALAYMAN]

Let's start here:

One of the most important techniques of a cult is to alienate its members from outside influence in order to manipulate and control what information they have available to them.  In that vein, they typically have an 8th grade education, and are shunned for the most simple violation of their ordung's rules. 

In what way does the Amish practice of shunning not resemble cult techniques?


I'll be back with more later.

 

[rsc2a]

Let's start here:

One of the most important techniques of a cult is to alienate its members from outside influence in order to manipulate and control what information they have available to them.  In that vein, they typically have an 8th grade education, and are shunned for the most simple violation of their ordung's rules. 

In what way does the Amish practice of shunning not resemble cult techniques?


I'll be back with more later.

They avoid outside influences for a variety of reasons but to "manipulate and control" members isn't one of them. I can give reasons if you like, but they are probably similar to what you've heard from an IFB pulpit. Secondly, they have an 8th grade education because how much do you need to know in order to grow corn and chop wood? Thirdly, individuals are not shunned for the "most simple violation" of a particular community's rules, but flagrant and continued violation of rules. Would you like particular examples?

And, if everything you just stated actually were true, isn't every IFBx (and many IFB) church a cult?

 

[Timothy]

Alayman has decided to school me about the Amish. He's claimed the Amish are a cult, so I'm interested in his justification for this statement.

Alayman?

We had a missionary to the Amish visit our Church once. He said most Amish believe in a works based salvation - not faith alone in Jesus Christ. They can be shunned from their community for believing "faith alone" for salvation. The fact that going against the local teachings will get them "shunned" seems proof for me that it is a cult.

 

[Tarheel Baptist]

Alayman has decided to school me about the Amish. He's claimed the Amish are a cult, so I'm interested in his justification for this statement.

Alayman?

According to your definition of a cult, I'd say no.
According to your definition of a cult, neither are the Moonies...or the Prophets of Baal....

 

[rsc2a]

Alayman has decided to school me about the Amish. He's claimed the Amish are a cult, so I'm interested in his justification for this statement.

Alayman?

According to your definition of a cult, I'd say no.
According to your definition of a cult, neither are the Moonies...or the Prophets of Baal....

Based on a common definition and usage of the word cult:

cult  (klt)
n.
1.a. A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader.
b. The followers of such a religion or sect.

 

[rsc2a]

[quote author=Timothy]We had a missionary to the Amish visit our Church once. He said most Amish believe in a works based salvation - not faith alone in Jesus Christ. They can be shunned from their community for believing "faith alone" for salvation. The fact that going against the local teachings will get them "shunned" seems proof for me that it is a cult.[/quote]

Many Amish believe this (as to many more mainstream Christians...including IFBers). This belief would not necessarily get you shunned unless there were other factors. For example, a haughty, prideful arrogance that lead you to "force" this idea on others in the community.

 

[ALAYMAN]

[quote author=Timothy]We had a missionary to the Amish visit our Church once. He said most Amish believe in a works based salvation - not faith alone in Jesus Christ. They can be shunned from their community for believing "faith alone" for salvation. The fact that going against the local teachings will get them "shunned" seems proof for me that it is a cult.

Many Amish believe this (as to many more mainstream Christians...including IFBers). This belief would not necessarily get you shunned unless there were other factors. For example, a haughty, prideful arrogance that lead you to "force" this idea on others in the community.
[/quote]

And this reminds me of another cult-like trait.  For preaching the gospel to "the English" (non-Amish people) you get, you guessed it, shunned.

 

[rsc2a]

[quote author=Timothy]We had a missionary to the Amish visit our Church once. He said most Amish believe in a works based salvation - not faith alone in Jesus Christ. They can be shunned from their community for believing "faith alone" for salvation. The fact that going against the local teachings will get them "shunned" seems proof for me that it is a cult.

Many Amish believe this (as to many more mainstream Christians...including IFBers). This belief would not necessarily get you shunned unless there were other factors. For example, a haughty, prideful arrogance that lead you to "force" this idea on others in the community.

And this reminds me of another cult-like trait.  For preaching the gospel to "the English" (non-Amish people) you get, you guessed it, shunned.[/quote]

LOL! Strange how many Amish folks I know who haven't been shunned in spite of this.

Alayman - I'll shorten this up quite a bit. How much do you actually know about the Amish? About their beliefs? About their communities? Their history? How much exposure have you had among them? How many do you know personally?

 

[Castor Muscular]

Call the ATF!  Call Janet Napolitanoreno!!  Bring out the tanks!  Kill the Amish cult members!

 

[JustABigKid]

In general, cults set up one as a major leader. Dunno of any major leaders among the Amish. Not saying they don't exist, just never heard of one.

Didn't you watch the tv series "The Amish Mafia"?

 

[Smellin Coffee]

In general, cults set up one as a major leader. Dunno of any major leaders among the Amish. Not saying they don't exist, just never heard of one.

Didn't you watch the tv series "The Amish Mafia"?

"Clippety clop, clippety clop, BANG! Clippety clop, clippety clop..." - Amish Drive-By Shooting

 

[ALAYMAN]

LOL! Strange how many Amish folks I know who haven't been shunned in spite of this.

Well, if you've never seen it, it never happened.  With logic like that I'll answer not a fool.

 

[rsc2a]

LOL! Strange how many Amish folks I know who haven't been shunned in spite of this.

Well, if you've never seen it, it never happened.  With logic like that I'll answer not a fool.

Yes...I'm going somewhere with this. So I'll ask again...

How much do you actually know about the Amish? About their beliefs? About their communities? Their history? How much exposure have you had among them? How many do you know personally?

 

[rsc2a]

Ozzy - You seem to be following me around quite a bit. Do you have a crush?

*bats eyelids*

 

[ALAYMAN]

Yes...I'm going somewhere with this. So I'll ask again...

How much do you actually know about the Amish? About their beliefs? About their communities? Their history? How much exposure have you had among them? How many do you know personally?

I don't know any Christadelphians......they're a cult.

I don't know but a few Seventh Day Adventists.....but many are cultish.

I know zero United Pentecostal Church folk......yep, a cult.


You get the point, I hope.

 

[Castor Muscular]

I don't know any Christadelphians......they're a cult.

I don't know but a few Seventh Day Adventists.....but many are cultish.

I know zero United Pentecostal Church folk......yep, a cult.


You get the point, I hope.

Yup.  Everybody but your church is a cult.

 

[ALAYMAN]

Yup.  Everybody but your church is a cult.

Are anti-Trinitarians <theological> cults?

 

[rsc2a]

Yes...I'm going somewhere with this. So I'll ask again...

How much do you actually know about the Amish? About their beliefs? About their communities? Their history? How much exposure have you had among them? How many do you know personally?

I don't know any Christadelphians......they're a cult.

I don't know but a few Seventh Day Adventists.....but many are cultish.

I know zero United Pentecostal Church folk......yep, a cult.


You get the point, I hope.

You claimed you were going to educate me on the Amish...even suggested I make a thread for you to use. I'm waiting...