Maybe the Amish Had it Right


By Carol Harper

I wonder these days if the Amish didn’t have it right. Here we are in the middle of an oil and energy crisis, global warnings and global warming, consumer-driven people on the gerbil wheels of borrow, trade, debt, foreclosures, minimal wage, unemployment. If living peacefully, simply, and within our means were America’s initial focus, perhaps we wouldn’t be frantically scrambling around like a stirred up lemminghole about issues that keep us awake at night. “Rendering to Caesar” may have been little bit easier (Matt. 22:21), and if more attention was spent on being well and healed, rather than sick and on drugs, we may have had more assurance than insurance of health. And granted, Toyota doesn’t make a ragtop horse and buggy, and extra “bells and whistles” may have a whole different connotation. But horses are starting to look pretty good, as to pumping $4-5 per gallon in our thirsty cars. Of course, we might be stepping in a lot of crap in the road, but I’d almost tolerate that over sitting in rush hour traffic to and from a job that has nothing to do with who I really am, for a wage that reflects a whole lot less than I’m worth. I guess that’s what we get in a country founded by lawyers; however, I’m not sure our founding fathers intended to give license to, breed or hone out generations of career politicians. You’d think serving your country then retiring to the family farm to live happily ever after would be a more attractive route, than the capitalistic exploitation of term after congressional term.

I recently moved from California to Nashville, TN, and one observation I’ve made is that Christians here are, for the most part, unafraid to speak freely about God and Jesus, to pray openly, and to uninhibitedly worship. I’ve learned that, no matter where you find yourself, the core culture of Christianity is about the same everywhere. This is a far cry from my life in Mormonism. Everything was done at an almost hyper level of reverence and ritual. There was a certain order of prayer: you folded your arms, bowed your head, and formally addressed your “Heavenly Father”, complete with “thee, thy, thine and thou”(maybe an occasional “you”). As a believer in Joseph Smith’s Jesus, you never really talked about Jesus by name, in every-day conversation as you would a personal Friend. The Mormon Jesus was referred to mostly as “our Savior” or “the Lord”. Mormons do not focus upon the cross, nor subscribe to the displaying of it. The dress code is semi-conservative to formal; suit or shirt and tie, women wear dresses. No one would ever dream of attending an LDS Sacrament meeting service or conference in jeans and a t-shirt. Music was subdued, with piano, organ and a chorister leading traditional-style hymns.Peaceful? Maybe, but the truth is that it was hypnotically boring much of the time. No, the Mormon Jesus didn’t seem to really fit into the realities of your typical “Monday-through-Saturday” life.

On the other hand, worshipping Jesus is the very focus, core and foundation of a believer. Prayers are said freely, as if Jesus were standing right there with you (Matthew 18:20). Hands are placed on shoulders, the tongue loosed, the soul instinctively tuning into wind-like frequencies of the Spirit, ears receptive, minds yearning for heavenly news. At any time of the day or night, like a child you can run into the throne room of grace, shouting “Abba, Father!” and bask in His loving presence. Worship can be exciting and lively, inspiring and reflective. And for true Christians, the cross is the very message of Jesus’ willing sacrifice: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18, KJV).

I have had some interesting feedback from several Christians since the release of my book, ranging from “Praise God that you’ve found Jesus,” or “I’m so glad your mind and soul has been set free from that cult.” I have to back up my little figurative buggy and say, Whoa, horsey! What makes them think Christianity isn’t one? What do they think happens when Christians separate themselves, judging, gossiping, excluding and rejecting, forming cliques—forgetting to love their neighbor as well as enemies (Matthew 5:44)? Isn’t that what a cult is, just one big members-only clique? And what of the money-changing going on, the lining of the robes, pockets and egos of evangelists and church leaders? What about the hypocrisy of Christianity, professing to be a believer when actions say otherwise, things done in the name of God or Jesus that are untrue, unkind, unbecoming of a disciple of The Healer? Surprised that a Christian becomes Mormon, or that there are Islamic converts? Surprised that so many get sucked into spiritualities endorsed by Hollywood stars and prominent figures of today’s society? Don’t be.

No, my friends. Christians should not have an attitude towards Mormons nor any other religion, for the truth is: the entire world is very, very sick. We are all sinners, we are all wrong, and we all are in need of help (Romans 3:23) and in need of a Great Physician. What we really need is a real good religious enema—a good cleansing of our own self-righteousness, Christians and Mormons alike, pastors and congregations alike, believers and non-believers alike. Okay, maybe the enema part was a little visual, but it seems we’ve worn out our welcome here on earth. The precious gifts of creation—of clean air, clear running water, fish-filled seas, green fields, and mountains capped with glacial snow—are all being taken away from us now. Nothing like making a statement to humanity than to begin weaning us off of the bottles of idolatry, greed, lies, anger, jealousy and hatred we readily bought from those who think they know better (Matthew 25:9). Nothing like judgment descending upon us in the form of devastation and disasters, plagues and disease, whether natural or man-made.

“I am the way, the truth and the life.” (John 14:6) Friends, Romans, countrymen: why don’t we believe Him anymore? Why do we instead believe that there are many ways, many truths, many lives or lifestyles? Why do we finger-point like whiny little kids on a playground instead of asking ourselves: How did we get here? How did Christianity get all divided up into denominations, cults, cliques, splinter groups, etc. in the first place? How did we separate and scatter so far from the Word of the Good Shepherd, and gravitate towards believing the words of false Christs and false prophets like Joseph Smith (Matthew 24: 24-25)? Are we simply casualties of a corrupted Christian history—is that our excuse? Or do we still have the ability to choose Living Water and the Bread of Life over religious culture, icons and idols?

Tonight, I’m going to sit at my little wooden table and light a candle. I’m going to look out the window and enjoy the fireflies dancing on the lawn, maybe even enjoy a simple dinner. I will wash my dishes by hand. Then I’ll get into my pajamas, maybe read a good book—and, for a few moments I will think about how the Amish would do it—rid myself of the worries and cares of the outside world. Then I’ll pray, and thank my King for His righteous rule in my life (Revelations 17:14, Matthew 21:5), for being my Deliverer (Romans 4:25), ask my Healer for forgiveness (Luke 5:23, 7:47-50), and enjoy the peace given by the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6, Luke 2:14).

Hey, wait a minute…I can do that any time! What’s holding me back?

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“Maybe the Amish Have it Right” Copyright © by Carol Harper. For permission to publish, please e-mail: carolrharper@gmail.com

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