This way, hard work keeps them busy all the time, and their minds cannot wander to things they consider useless or damaging in their religion. Also, through hard work they are making themselves better servants of God, because this teaches them to value God’s gifts in life, such as nature, personal strength and self-sufficiency.
The attire of members is as plain as can be; colors are strongly discouraged, as they are viewed as signs of vanity which is an undesirable attribute of a person. This is also the reason why dresses of women are long and plain. Men’s clothes also serve only functionality and it averts thoughts of sexual nature from community members and keeps it between husband and wife. The Amish household is simple in its
functionality. No decorations are present and everything serves a purpose. The Amish house is the home of Amish families as well as that of God. This latter is most evident during sermons, which are held at a different house every other Sunday. Electricity is also discouraged, and telephones are used only in cases of emergency, and are located outside houses. There are communities where the rules are not as strict and the Amish thinking is more progressive and allows even appliances such as televisions, washing machines or even cars. The Old Order Amish, however severely frown upon the use and possession of these objects, but allow for some reason for members to use taxi service.