Rumspringa: To Be or Not to Be Amish
Rumspringa: To Be or Not to Be Amish
Tom Shachtman
Non-Fiction, Anthropology, Religion
286 pages
Published 2006
A follow up to the PBS documentary, Devil's Playground, Tom Shachtman looks at the period of Amish Rumspringa through case studies. The Amish believe that each person should make their own personal choice as to whether to be baptized Christian. As part of that decision process, when an Amish turns 16, they are no longer bound to live by the rules set forth by their community. This is to give them a chance to experience the outside world and discover for themselves if they want to stay in the Amish fold or live in the outside world.
Shachtman does an excellent job conveying personal stories that include every living generation. He also shares the history, commonly held beliefs, and differences among modern Amish communities. He manages to stay unbiased except for the Amish approach to education. He shares his own doubt at the acceptability and necessity of taking their children out of school at 14. It moved along quickly and was thought provoking. This was a very entertaining book for those who enjoy reading about other cultures and religions.
Comments
The looks like a really good book. I've always been impressed by the Amish and Mennonite communities. There food is incredible and there is a beauty and order in their way of life. They are also the traditional organic farmers.
Lucy