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20 Most Asked Questions About the Amish and Mennonites
Sensitively answers the most common inquiries about Amish and Mennonite peoples. Authoritative, sympathetic, and thorough. 20 Most Asked Questions looks at origins, dress, pacifism, education, weddings, funerals, and food, as well as many other facets of Amish and Mennonite life. This book has sold more than 200,000 copies. 1. What is the difference between the Amish and the Mennonites? 2. When and how did these people get started? 3. Are they a Christian group or do they represent a different religion? 4. Aren’t they a bit naive and backward? Why don’t they accept modern things? 5. Does anyone ever join them? Does anyone ever leave? 6. Why do they dress that way? 7. Is it true they don’t go to war? 8. Why are they against education? 9. Why are they such good farmers? 10. Why don’t they pay Social Security taxes? 11. Do any of the Amish or Mennonite groups believe in missions? 12. What are their weddings like? 13. How are their women and children treated? 14. Is food a part of their religion? 15. Do they go to doctors and hospitals? 16. What about burial? 17. Don’t they believe in having fun? 18. What are some of their problems? 19. Are they growing or dying in number? 20. What, in fact, holds them together?
96 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1979
9 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
Merle Good
41 books5 followersMerle Good is writer, dramatist, and publisher from Lancaster, PA. His books have sold nearly a million copies. His Op-Ed pieces have appeared in The New York Times, Washington Post, and Los Angeles Times. Academy-Award-winning actress Geraldine Page starred in the movie (Hazel's People), based on Good's first novel, Happy as the Grass Was Green. His play, The Preacher and the Shrink, opened Off-Broadway in New York in 2013. As Publisher of Good Books (1979-2013), Good oversaw the acquisition, publication, and marketing of more than 1,000 different books by more than one hundred different authors. Three Good Books titles became #1 New York Times bestsellers. Good is currently at work on a new novel and on two new plays.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
December 12, 2016
That's an advertisement pamphlet disguised as a book; not really useful.
November 30, 2024
This was a good friend’s who grew up in Gettysburg, PA. When he passed away, I chose this among other books of his to keep because we share a thirst for knowledge. I thought this was interesting and insightful, especially because the authors are part of the culture.
October 21, 2025
Found this in a tiny library in Ann Arbor yesterday lol. Very quick and interesting read! However, it was super biased (pro-Amish/Mennonite) and glossed over some pretty major things about these ways of life (such as the societal expectations of women).
July 10, 2022
Heavily biased, more propaganda than explanation. I was born in Amish country, and am familiar with many Old Order Amish customs. On a recent visit back to the area with my children, I was able to explain WHAT the customs were, but was unable to answer WHY.
Why is electricity in the home forbidden, but allowed in the barn?
Why are they allowed to use a telephone on the property of the "English" (what they call non-Amish), but not have one of their own?
Why are they allowed to have cell phones? (We saw the workers' cell phones lined up charging at every shop and restaurant in Amish country.)
Why can they not own a car, but they can hire an English driver to drive them to work every day in his car?
This book gave no answers to these types of questions. In fact, by the midpoint it had me googling "is Amish a cult?" (Spoiler: yes.)
Moreover, I find the Old Order Amish practice of "shunning" or excommunication to be deeply ironic. They openly declare the purpose to "bring the member back into the fellowship." (page 25) Yet a founding belief of the Anabaptist movement from which the Amish originated is that "the church should be a group of voluntary adults." (page 10) The Anabaptists advocated against a state religion and emphasized personal choice in matters of faith.
It seems to me that the Amish do not really allow their members a true choice in matters of faith. They create an environment where a member's entire life is bound up in community, and in fact intentionally limit their ability to function outside the community by depriving them of any education beyond an 8th grade. Anyone who leaves is treated as dead. How is that a group of voluntary members of faith?
Why is electricity in the home forbidden, but allowed in the barn?
Why are they allowed to use a telephone on the property of the "English" (what they call non-Amish), but not have one of their own?
Why are they allowed to have cell phones? (We saw the workers' cell phones lined up charging at every shop and restaurant in Amish country.)
Why can they not own a car, but they can hire an English driver to drive them to work every day in his car?
This book gave no answers to these types of questions. In fact, by the midpoint it had me googling "is Amish a cult?" (Spoiler: yes.)
Moreover, I find the Old Order Amish practice of "shunning" or excommunication to be deeply ironic. They openly declare the purpose to "bring the member back into the fellowship." (page 25) Yet a founding belief of the Anabaptist movement from which the Amish originated is that "the church should be a group of voluntary adults." (page 10) The Anabaptists advocated against a state religion and emphasized personal choice in matters of faith.
It seems to me that the Amish do not really allow their members a true choice in matters of faith. They create an environment where a member's entire life is bound up in community, and in fact intentionally limit their ability to function outside the community by depriving them of any education beyond an 8th grade. Anyone who leaves is treated as dead. How is that a group of voluntary members of faith?
March 24, 2012
A short book, but a nice way to get a general idea of the Amish and Mennonite lifestyles.
September 22, 2014
Very simple and basic questions about these wonderful people. It is helpful in some points.
February 20, 2022
Informative, but it felt a little rose-colored. Perhaps even a little smug.
May 26, 2019
20 Most Asked Questions about the Amish and Mennonites by Merle and Phyllis Good is a quick, easy read for those who want a short summary about these religious groups. It is 96 pages in length and includes a helpful glossary and index. Except for two chapters, four pages are devoted to each question. The answers are useful, but none of them are very detailed. This is because of the large number of photos in the book. It only contains about 65 pages worth of text. Some of the questions it discusses include, “Why Do They Dress That Way?” and “What are Their Weddings Like?” It has a diversity of subject matter that is appreciated.
There are two main things that stand out about the book. First, it is quite dated. It is a 1995 update of a book that was originally published in 1979. Some of the photos are not very clear and a number of them are probably 40 years old. Many appear to be taken in the 1970’s. Second, even though the book does provide answers, one may find that it also brings up new questions that are not resolved. For example, in the chapter about Amish and Mennonite problems there is a comment about the tension between the group and the individual (pg. 77). What does that entail? This reviewer doesn’t know. The book only states it as another problem that could be highlighted, but doesn’t actually address it.
Although small, this work is valuable in a number of ways. It provides an intriguing snapshot of Amish and Mennonite life in the second half of the 20th century. While stressing simplicity, the family, and the value of hard work, it gives inspiration to those who read it. At least it did for this reviewer. The book’s greatest faults are how short it is and the possibility of it being out of date. Speaking of which, similar material can easily be found online. That is almost a shame because I want others to appreciate it like I did. I found 20 Most Asked Questions about the Amish and Mennonites to be a good book that was enjoyable, but no longer as useful as it once was because of so many more current resources available online.
There are two main things that stand out about the book. First, it is quite dated. It is a 1995 update of a book that was originally published in 1979. Some of the photos are not very clear and a number of them are probably 40 years old. Many appear to be taken in the 1970’s. Second, even though the book does provide answers, one may find that it also brings up new questions that are not resolved. For example, in the chapter about Amish and Mennonite problems there is a comment about the tension between the group and the individual (pg. 77). What does that entail? This reviewer doesn’t know. The book only states it as another problem that could be highlighted, but doesn’t actually address it.
Although small, this work is valuable in a number of ways. It provides an intriguing snapshot of Amish and Mennonite life in the second half of the 20th century. While stressing simplicity, the family, and the value of hard work, it gives inspiration to those who read it. At least it did for this reviewer. The book’s greatest faults are how short it is and the possibility of it being out of date. Speaking of which, similar material can easily be found online. That is almost a shame because I want others to appreciate it like I did. I found 20 Most Asked Questions about the Amish and Mennonites to be a good book that was enjoyable, but no longer as useful as it once was because of so many more current resources available online.
March 5, 2020
I am in a job now where I have the chance to do a lot of people watching and one of the groups that I have taken special notice of are the ones who seem like they belong to the Amish/Mennonite group. As such I wanted to learn a bit more about this group of people and then actually found out they were Old German Baptist.
As for this book I did enjoy the basic concept of it in the point where it gave the history of the people, their basic beliefs, some of the variability between the groups and the lifestyle habits that they work on living. The book was very informative even if it may have been possibly outdated from when it was written.
My main problems, though, were on the formatting for this digital book. First of all the photographws were done in grayscale so you didn't get a chance to see their world through color. I think that this is a shame since there is so much that ends up being lost in that translation. At the same time with the digitalness of the book there was no separation of the captions from the text thus you were left with the captions being word-for-word repeats primarily of the previous information that interrupted the actual flow of the book. Very irritating....
Another blending problem was that the chapter headings of numbers and questions were the same font and sizing as the actual writing so again a bit more blending. But then later on in Chapter 19 or Question 19 as it may be there was a listing of the different groups of Amish/Mennonites with the numbers of each. The digital format ended up being too small so the numbers were stacked up on top of the original text and shoved further under where it should be.
So as interesting as the information may be, if you are going for a digital read I would suggest trying to find an actual physical copy instead. It will make it possibly a little bit more easier to read and save you from trying to figure out where parts of the book should or shouldn't go.
As for this book I did enjoy the basic concept of it in the point where it gave the history of the people, their basic beliefs, some of the variability between the groups and the lifestyle habits that they work on living. The book was very informative even if it may have been possibly outdated from when it was written.
My main problems, though, were on the formatting for this digital book. First of all the photographws were done in grayscale so you didn't get a chance to see their world through color. I think that this is a shame since there is so much that ends up being lost in that translation. At the same time with the digitalness of the book there was no separation of the captions from the text thus you were left with the captions being word-for-word repeats primarily of the previous information that interrupted the actual flow of the book. Very irritating....
Another blending problem was that the chapter headings of numbers and questions were the same font and sizing as the actual writing so again a bit more blending. But then later on in Chapter 19 or Question 19 as it may be there was a listing of the different groups of Amish/Mennonites with the numbers of each. The digital format ended up being too small so the numbers were stacked up on top of the original text and shoved further under where it should be.
So as interesting as the information may be, if you are going for a digital read I would suggest trying to find an actual physical copy instead. It will make it possibly a little bit more easier to read and save you from trying to figure out where parts of the book should or shouldn't go.
March 4, 2022
This book was a good read, as well as a good introduction to talking about Amish and Mennoite groups. If you do not know much about these groups then you will definitely learn something. The chapters for each question are short, but pack in a lot of information about the general things regarding the subject. Everything in the book, info wise, is very much large brush strokes/generalizations which they do acknowledge in the beginning. Seems to be a hood stepping stone if you were to want to learn more
September 1, 2020
I learned quite a bit…
The last time I ever read anything about the Amish or Mennonite people and their religion, within comparative religion class as an undergraduate at Indiana University. I now have family who live in the heart of Amish country in rough River Kentucky. They say the Amish in their community are very happy. I know they are very intriguing.
The last time I ever read anything about the Amish or Mennonite people and their religion, within comparative religion class as an undergraduate at Indiana University. I now have family who live in the heart of Amish country in rough River Kentucky. They say the Amish in their community are very happy. I know they are very intriguing.
March 16, 2020
2020 POPSUGAR reading challenge- A book with "20" or "twenty" in the title.
Did I learn somethings about the Amish and Mennonite people? Sure. But even though it was interesting it still was overly exciting as I kind of expected going into it.
Did I learn somethings about the Amish and Mennonite people? Sure. But even though it was interesting it still was overly exciting as I kind of expected going into it.
January 13, 2020
Informative and well written.
August 10, 2020
Helpful and informative. Clear about generalizations that aren't true of every Amish or Mennonite person
February 17, 2021
Very short book with decent information, although I think it’s a bit outdated.
February 24, 2021
Somewhat interesting, but definitely seems like it was written by an outsider viewing someone else's religion/lifestyle through rose colored glasses.
March 5, 2021
This is a short, easy to read, respectful guide to the basics of life as an Amish or Mennonite person.
August 13, 2022
Quick but reasonable. Answered some of the questions I had as passing through Lancaster County recently….
April 20, 2024
Good general overview that answered my basic questions about the lifestyle and culture.
April 27, 2024
Give a brief summary between the Amish and Mennonite groups. Short book to read. Good if you want to get a quick run down.
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April 8, 2019I found this book to be very informative without being excessively wordy. It is only 87 pages. Yet the author does answer many of the questions we have when we consider what life would be like if we lived like the Amish. I was also impressed to see the commitment that the Mennonites have in spreading the gospel to several parts of the world including Asia, Africa, and Latin America. One question that I have for the author though is: if the Amish-Mennonites are so much against going to war then how do they account for all the war stories found in the Old Testament during the times of Moses, Joshua, and King David?
October 5, 2012
Old edition but still an interesting and somewhat informative quick read for someone interested in reading about the Amish and Mennonite faith. Some questions with simple answers (very short chapters) include dress explanations, what Amish weddings and funerals are like, anti-war beliefs and service oriented organizations, as well as distinguishing between "old order" and "modern" Amish and Mennonite. This book is not too in-depth and still leaves a reader curious for more but it is a quick and interesting read to begin with.
August 26, 2023
My parents picked up this book while visiting Landcaster, Pennsylvania. Although it needs a good editor, the book lays out the Amish and Mennonite religions with historical facts and respect, and without judgement or a desire to convert. Like with all religions, there is service, dedication, humility and belonging, along with inconsistencies and disfunction.
October 24, 2011
It is an older book. About 15 years old since the last revision of the book, but it gives a good overview of the Amish and Mennonite people. I enjoyed reading it while I was driving around Pennsylvania and wondered about their culture.
January 2, 2013
I gave this book a rating of 2.5. It is helpful in some of the simple beginning questions some may ask about a religion/lifestyle but there is much more to it than what is found in this book. I feel like a lot of the questions I already knew before buying this book.
June 13, 2015
A rather dry text. While many questions were answered, they just lead to more questions. It was not a very in-depth book. I was a little disappointed for I already knew about 80% of what was in this text. I was looking for new information or new insights. I did not get them
Book 4 of my summer.
Book 4 of my summer.
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May 1, 2008Good, Merle and Phyllis
Read
July 21, 2017Concise overview of beliefs and traditions of Amish and Mennonites.
April 25, 2010
I read this book because I was curious about the Amish culture. It's a great book and I must say I learned quite a bit from it. Mission accomplished.
July 18, 2010
Informative, but not as detailed as I'd hoped. Most of this stuff I'd already learned from other websites and books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews