Amish why no pictures

They were holding on to the back window of the buggy talking to someone inside. It would have made a great picture — except that I had left my camera at work, which was just a mile up ahead. Once traffic cleared, I passed the buggy and hurried to work. I ran into the office, grabbed my camera, and ran outside. But the buggy had already passed and turned onto a different road, so I could only get a shot from the distance — no time to switch to my telephoto lens.

So, I ran back to the car and headed out in pursuit. I caught up with them a mile or so down the next road. I passed their buggy and drove until I found a side street that would give me time to get out and try again. I did get a couple pictures as they passed in front of an Amish farm.

While I was driving, I recalled an incident years ago when one of our videographers was getting some scenic farmland shots and set up his tripod right on the road instead of on the shoulder. While he was recording, he saw an Amish buggy coming down the same side of the road toward him. Well, he turned the camera toward the buggy and kept taping. The Amish man was not too pleased. Some Amish have recounted stories of tourists driving up their driveway and boldly walking onto their front lawn to take a photograph.

One woman recalled a time when a tourist stopped her buggy and held the reins of the horse until his wife could get a photo! Stories like these aren't the norm, but keep in mind a few disrespectful photographers can generate a great deal of bad feeling within the Amish community. Amish often consider photos of their children different than photos of adults.

Most Amish today will not pose for a photograph. Considering it a violation of the Second Commandment, which prohibits the making of "graven images," the Amish believe any physical representation of themselves whether a photograph, a painting, or film promotes individualism and vanity, taking away from the values of community and humility by which they govern their lives.

Occasionally, Amish people did have their photos taken, as you can see with the couple in the first image who likely went to a studio for their portrait in But by the time photography became popular in America in the midth century and photographers and researchers armed with cameras began appearing in Amish communities, most Amish objected to appearing in or posing for photographs entirely.

The first Amish came to America from Europe in the early s to participate in William Penn's "holy experiment" of religious tolerance. Most settlers landed in Pennsylvania, but later spread across the country. Prior to , Amish and non-Amish or English youth attended public schools together. Since the midth century, the Amish have developed their own private one- and two-room schools. Depicting an Amish couple, this poster -- made between -- advertises the "Costumes and Handicrafts of the Pennsylvania Germans.

Do Amish have mirrors? Amish - Bathroom sink - To avoid idolatry, the Amish do not have mirrors, nor do they allow photographs or pictures of images in their homes. Why do Amish men not wear belts? Suspension Of Disbelief. If you notice, you'll find that no Amish men wear belts. It is a prohibited accessory — they're just too flashy. Amish men wear suspenders, sometimes two, or, in certain villages, no suspenders at all. Why do the Amish not use electricity?

Because electricity comes from the grid, many Amish make their own electricity generators, solar, wind, etc. Similarly, Amish don't buy insurance, don't contribute to social security, and don't accept social security benefits.

What is the difference between an Amish and a Mennonite? Amish and Mennonites are Anabaptists - they practice adult baptism. Both of them live plain lives, but Mennonites allow for more mechanical devices washers, tractors, telephones etc. Also, Mennonites do sometimes go to college. I've known Mennonite women in nursing programs of study.