Pennsylvania Plain People
Pennsylvania has a fascinating and complex history of welcoming religious reformers and visionaries. The commonwealth also has a rich contemporary culture of "plain people," which includes the large and diverse Mennonite tradition, its conservative schismatic Amish, and the Society of Friends who helped create such an accommodating refuge from European wars of religion. Here I feature some of the standards of the store, including a well-regarded mystery series by P.L. Gaus set in Ohio.
Who Are the Anabaptists? Amish, Brethren, Hutterites, and Mennonites
Who Are the Anabaptists? Amish, Brethren, Hutterites, and Mennonites
The Anabaptists of North America sport an amazing spectrum of religious and cultural diversity—from communal Hutterites to urban Mennonites, from low-tech Amish to acculturated Brethren. New members with Asian, African, and Hispanic cultural roots add spice and color to traditional Anabaptist ways. Counting more than 6,000 congregations and 100 different groups, the Anabaptists are known for their strong commitments to peacemaking, service, and community. In this concise text, a leading scholar of Anabaptist communities provides a sweeping overview of their beliefs and practices as well as their similarities and differences.