Key Takeaways:
– The Amish community of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, lives a simpler lifestyle but must still confront the realities of politics.
– Many among the Amish do not participate in voting due to religious beliefs but are being targeted by Trump’s Republican Party.
– The Amish historically side with conservative positions such as opposing abortion and same-sex marriage.
– Even among the Amish, opinions vary regarding Trump and the elections.
Amish and the Simpler Life
The Amish people are nestled in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, leading lives that lean towards simplicity. There is a notable absence of modern technology in their way of life. They value quiet farm living, put traditional horse-drawn carriages to use, and often prefer to do without amenities such as cars and the internet. Telephones are mostly an alien entity in these parts. These characteristics weave a quaint narrative of the Amish, placing them in a different era, drifting away from the hustle-bustle of contemporary life.
Voting: An Alien Concept
Interestingly, amidst these lifestyle differences, the Amish community does not hesitate to convey their political affiliations. Evidence of this can be seen on the signs proclaiming support for Donald Trump outside some Amish farms, confession of an intersection of their simple lives with today’s frenetic political world. On November 5, Election Day is an event eyed by everyone, the Amish included. Yet, politics does not come first for the Amish, with Christian faith playing a dominant role. The church, in fact, often discourages members from participating in the voting process.
When Politics Comes Knocking
Despite the typical disinclination toward politics, the Amish find themselves on the radar of Trump’s Republican Party. The party is making diligent efforts to attract the approximately 80,000 Amish residents of Pennsylvania. In the 2020 elections, President Joe Biden clinched the state by a narrow win, getting ahead by just about the same number of votes. The Republicans are keen on turning the tide, particular given traditional conservative inclinations within the Amish community.
The Amish, despite their minimal engagement with the outside world, hold favorable views towards conservative policy positions such as abortion opposition and unwillingness to sanction gay marriage. Kyle Kopko, a professor specializing in political science, confirms this, expressing that the Amish community generally feels Republicans to be less intrusive when it comes to their lives and businesses.
Question of Truth and Choice
Amidst all the stakes, there are varying views within the community. Retired farmer Leroy Stoltzfus expresses faith in God’s choice for the next President, refraining from divulging his preferred candidate. Linda, an Amish woman who runs a dairy store, speaks of voting as a matter of ‘truth and fairness.’ Though hesitant to expand on her personal choice, she asserts her vote for Trump. Within this community, there is a balanced mix of opinions, demonstrating that the Amish are not as distanced from politics as thought.
Drawing the Line
Despite the increasing political outreach, voting is still widely viewed as a less influential aspect among the Amish. For instance, Sam Stoltzfus, an Amish man with a penchant for horseradish production, admits to listening to Fox News each morning yet dubs voting as ‘not a real Amish thing.’ Regardless of political disparities, election concerns and affiliations, one thing is clear. The Amish, in their distinct lifestyle and beliefs, continue to live on the edge of the contemporary world, drawing a unique social landscape of their own.