When a person thinks of the Amish, normally the Old Order Amish comes to mind.
These communities are the ones that adhere the tightest to the rules of their faith and interact the least with the modern technological world.
You will not find generators or electric powered saws at their mills as you might find with some of the Amish.
The Amish are not guided by any written set of rules.
There is however, an understood belief, which is passed down from generation to generation.
It is called the Ordnung and is designed to provide an interpretation of the bible that literally states that worldly desires should not be conformed too.
As a result there is a great deal of variation between the various settlements as to what is appropriate when it comes to gender roles, the use of modern technology, marriage and courtship rites and even dress.
The plain dress of the Amish is not just because of their simple and minimalist beliefs that center on submission to God and humility it is also the result of the persecution that was faced during the reformation period as well as afterwards.
Because military individuals with mustaches and buttons were the result of much of the persecution these things are not allowed within the Amish dress.
They also practice rejection of military duty and honestly believe in turning the other check when attacked or involved in confrontations.
The strength of both family and the community as a whole are at the center of the Amish beliefs.
It is the force behind their humility and lack of material wealth.
It also means that there is little in the way of competitiveness and individualism because the materialism, which drives these things, is not there within their culture.
They can for example, take a ride in a vehicle if speed and distance demand but cannot own one.
The lack of television and telephones prevents the interruption of family life by the outside world.
They are believed to initialize the personal interactions of the community as a whole.
In the Amish community if you want to talk to your family or your neighbor you, have to visit them.
This strengthens family ties.
However, some modifications to this traditional and custom have been made to allow for emergency assistance.
The Amish follow traditional gender roles, separation after marriage is not allowed.
There is no divorce and subsequently there is also no birth control so there are often large families among the Amish community.
They are expected to marry only within the Amish community though it does not necessarily have to be from the local community.
Shunning, which is the major form of disagreement among the Amish communities is where a member who has sinned is in essence banished from the community.
They have no contact with anyone from the community and once they have shown repentance they are usually forgiven and allowed to return.
These are just a few of the Amish customs there are a number of different ways that the Amish do things that separate them from the American modern and materialist culture.