The commitment of the Amish to high standards and living up to the convictions of their conscience in the face of almost universal “political correctness” and “moral relativism” should be an inspiration to all. Heaven approves of such strength of purpose and firmness of conviction. Nevertheless, the Amish hold to some beliefs that are incorrect and in so doing they deprive themselves of true Oneness with Yahuwah.
While there is some variance in beliefs between Amish communities, following is a partial list of errors widely held in common by the Amish.
- The Amish believe in a triune godhead consisting of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. While Scripture does refer to the Holy Spirit of Yah, the doctrine of a three-in-one trinity is not Biblical. It comes straight from paganism. The word of Yahuwah declares: “Hear, O Israel: Yahuwah our Eloah, Yahuwah is one!” (Deuteronomy 6:4) The Bible makes plain that Yahushua, while born of a virgin, is a human being - not a diety.
- Like most Christians, the Amish worship on Sunday, in direct violation of Yahuwah’s eternal law, which states: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the Sabbath of Yahuwah thy Elohim.” (Exodus 20:8-10) While the Amish truly desire to honor their Maker, any worship day calculated by the pagan/papal Gregorian calendar does not honor Yahuwah.
- Most Amish observe the pseudo-Christian holidays of Christmas and Easter that originate in paganism. This actually dishonors the One whom they are seeking to honor.
- The Amish do not observe the Holy Days of Yahuwah as delineated in Leviticus 23. Although most Christians assume these were observances given “just for the Jews,” Scripture clearly states these “holy convocations” “shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.” (Leviticus 23:14)
- Entirely without intention, the Amish religion is one of works. While the Amish justifiably abhor pride, the emphasis in some Amish communities on how many pleats are put in a bonnet, the length of the skirt, even the depth of a hem, too often lead to a feeling of moral superiority over the “English” (i.e., non-Amish). Furthermore, many Amish communities believe that their eternal destiny is determined by having their lifelong obedience to the rules of their community weighed against their disobedience. Scripture declares: “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Yahushua the Annointed, even we have believed in Yahushua the Annointed, that we might be justified by the faith of Yahushua, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” (Galatians 2:16)
- The Amish practice meidung (shunning) of friends and even family members for breaching their religious guidelines. While this is typically done as a last resort and from a pure motive, it is still unscriptural. The Saviour instructed His followers of the proper course of action should a brother fall into sin. If such a person persisted in sin, he was to be treated “as an heathen man and a publican.” Yahushua’s example demonstrated just how such were to be treated: with love and acceptance. Yahushua accepted and befriended the very individuals shunned by the Pharisees of His day. (See Matthew 9:10-12.)
Yahuwah invites His sincere Amish children to lay aside the errors of their tradition and step into close fellowship with Him who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
