Patricia Johns

A common misconception about the Amish is that they think that cars are evil. This is not true at all! Most Amish groups do not own or drive motor vehicles, but not because they think that cars are evil in and of themselves. Instead, they think that they aren’t good for their communities.

Not all Amish communities have the same position on motor vehicles, however. Old Order Amish use horses and buggies for transport, and they use horses to pull plows and wagons on the farm. They refuse to own or drive motor vehicles. But newer orders of the Amish, and some more liberal groups like the Beachy Amish do use cars and trucks. They do make sure that the vehicles are simple, are of a modest color that doesn’t attract attention, and are not used as a status symbol, but only a tool.

So what do the Old Order Amish have against cars and trucks? Why forbid their use?

The Amish look at what cars and trucks DO to their communities. Horses and buggies serve to keep the community close to the land, living in rural areas, and limit how far people can comfortably travel. That limitation in travel means that families stay geographically closer together, encouraging stronger relationships both within the family and within the Amish community.

But it should be noted that the Old Order Amish will hire a driver to take them longer distances if they have a particular need. That might be a shopping trip into a nearby city or town, a trip to visit a friend or family member who lives farther away, or even just a vacation. So long as the van is driven by someone else, there is no conflict with their rule book.

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I think there is a lot we can learn from the Amish. Not everything is wrong, but some things aren’t wise. And I think the Amish have a very good handle on making those distinctions for their own communities.

I hope you’ll take a look at some of my Amish books! You never know. You might find your next read.

Happy reading!