Don't Drink, Don't Drive! May 2014 | Page 8

and convert people of the outside world, that the Amish way is the one true religion. This is because of their strong sense of community as existing secluded from the outside world. The main objective of the Amish is to conduct themselves in accordance to their own rules and they have little regard for what goes on outside of their community. However, being able to survive in the U.S. society requires some form of connection, which encompasses mostly activities related to economy and finance, but medical help is also not excluded when it is necessary for survival.

As it was mentioned, the Amish believe in adult baptism, and this is one of the most defining of their religious customs. The children born into the Amish faith are raised according to the values and established rules of the religion, and live their daily lives no different from their already baptized, adult peers. Values such as the importance of manual labor, simplicity in all aspects of life, self-reliance, strong sense of community and devotion to God and humility are taught from the beginning. Members are usually baptized between the ages of 18 and 25. In connection to the adult baptism, another important element of the Amish religion can be brought into the discussion, which is the existence of rumspringa.

strong sense of community and devotion to God and humility are taught from the beginning. Members are usually baptized between the ages of 18 and 25. In connection to the adult baptism, another important element of the Amish religion can be brought into the discussion, which is the existence of rumspringa.

Rumspringa word of German origin, which is used to describe the period of time during which a child begins adolescence and this usually ends in the child getting baptized into the church or on rare occasions, exclusion.