BellaOnline Forums TV and Movies British Television Amish: the world's squarest teenagers

A new reality show where Amish teens are made to mix with British teens Amish article

I'm not an authority on the Amish, but I do live in a part of the United States where they are prominent. As a culture I find them interesting. It must be difficult to try to live by your beliefs when the world around you is changing so fast. Around these parts it's nothing to see the horse and buggys of the Amish on the highways. For their safety they must have lights and reflectors to be seen. That's one of the concessions they have had to make. I for one am glad I have air conditioning, cel phones and can make my own decisions, but I admire the Amish for the way they stand by their lifestyle and allow their young people to make the decision for themselves.

I am surprised that the families even allowed their teens to participate in this reality show. It seems it would expose much of what the Amish have kept to themselves for generations. In "reality", the Amish do not even like to have their pictures taken. The Old Order belief is that a picture steals the soul of a person. (that is what I heard years ago on a documentary about the Amish) They do not even put faces on the dolls they make for children, for it would give the doll a "likeness" and then harm could come to the child.

The article pointed out it was part of "Rumspringa". That is when after a certain age the young are allowed to go into the world for a period of time to see if that is the road they want to take. A reality show would be part of the worldliness they are checking out. If they choose the worldly road, they are not allowed back.