Q&A for How to Distinguish Mennonites from Amish

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Do Amish and Mennonites get along?

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wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

In general, yes. While people may disagree on an individual level, the Amish and Mennonite groups generally coexist peacefully and will work together to support the needs of their local communities. For example, Amish and Mennonite volunteers work together on Anabaptist charitable projects such as the Mennonite Disaster Service.

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Who are more strict, the Amish or the Mennonites?

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The Amish tend to be stricter and more conservative in their beliefs and practices than the Mennonites. For example, the Amish tend to live in isolated communities and avoid using modern technology, while the Mennonites are not restricted in these ways.

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Can Mennonites watch TV?

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Mennonites can and do watch TV, although it is not encouraged by the church. Many households don’t have a television set, but will watch TV on occasion (e.g., to see major sporting events).

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Question

May I write to an Amish person, and will they answer my letter?

Community Answer

When writing a letter to an Amish person, the letter should be addressed to the leader of that community, especially If they are old school Amish. Whether you receive an answer or not depends on the leader and the context of the question. They are very private people.

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Can an Amish person date or marry someone who is not Amish? If not, is there a punishment for doing so?

Michael Schlemback

Community Answer

They can, but, it all depends on the parents. In Amish culture, the parents must approve of the person their child will be marrying. In this situation, the parents most likely will not approve.

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What does "Amish bonnet" mean?

Community Answer

These are large headgear worn by Amish women. Married women wear white, while black bonnets are for the unmarried.

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Question

What is the word for the hairpiece used to cover an Amish woman's hair?

EMBend

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The hairpiece used to cover an Amish woman's hair is called a "bonnet." White bonnets are worn by women who are married, while black bonnets are worn by women who are unmarried.

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Question

What is the white cloth women pin to their hair?

Community Answer

A bonnet. White bonnets are for the married, while black are for the unmarried. Unmarried women are not common in the Amish community (Old Order).

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Is it acceptable to give a gift to a baby if the parents are Mennonites?

Community Answer

Yes, the Mennonites are accepting of outside customs, such as celebrating the birth of a child with a thoughtful gift.

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Does the color of the bonnets of Mennonite women mean anything?

Community Answer

Yes, white bonnets are worn by married women and black bonnets are worn by unmarried women.

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Can Mennonite men talk to women who are not Mennonite?

Community Answer

They will so do discreetly and politely. Mennonites often associate with the world.

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Question

Which sect dresses in all black and dresses babies in all black?

Community Answer

Amish. Most Mennonites will wear any color as long as it is modest. A few Mennonite groups will not wear red or purple but they are the minority.

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Why are unmarried women not common in the Amish community?

Community Answer

The Amish expect that all romantic relationships should end with marriage, as casual dating is not permitted.

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Question

If the Amish and Mennonites do not wear wedding bands, how do I know if they're married or single?

Community Answer

You don't really need to know. If you are really interested, you can go to youth gatherings Saturday evenings and Sunday evenings. There are no married persons attending except the hosts and, on occasion, a couple of married friends. (The Bible teaches that women should not put on jewelry.)

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Question

I would like to visit an Mennonite community. Is that possible?

Community Answer

Yes, it is entirely possible. There are many Mennonite congregations scattered over the world, the majority of which are in North America. Contact their outreach person first to connect and make a time to meet with the community.

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