The Amish Cook from Oasis Newsfeatures

SIGH, I've deliberately steered clear of this topic (vaccinations) forever because I'm not a doctor or a scientist so I just don't feel I know enough to have a cogent conversation.   The Amish are often paraded out as evidence of the link between childhood vaccines and autism.  The argument goes that autism is allegedly more rare among the Amish who, as a group, supposedly don't vaccinate their children.  This definitive statement that the Amish "don't vaccinate their children" just isn't true.  That I can say with certainty.  It is true that some don't, but I know first-hand plenty of Amish that do.  If we've learned anything from all the stories posted on this website is that there are very few "absolutes" that apply to all Amish.  Read here about the Amish and vaccines, I found this accurate based on my experience.     The mounting pile of evidence points to no conclusive link between vaccines and autism.  Again, though, I am not a scientist...which is why I have steered way clear of this topic.  People have pointed to mercury in vaccines as being harmful and I don't like that...I also don't like petroleum being part of the plastic bottles I drink soda out of and aluminum being in the deoderant I use....so I think people who complain about chemicals everywhere are not nuts...I don't like it either...but scientifically speaking using the Amish as evidence for an autism link is tenuous.

Anyway, I'm talking about vaccines this morning because of a groundbreaking study conducted on Hutterite colonies about the impacts of flu-shots given to children.  It appears that vaccinating the colony children protected the entire community from flu outbreaks.  Click here and, really, the main reason for calling this topic to anyone's attention is the great photo with this that - in a single shot - shows the communal aspect of Hutterite life.

This is a strange story, but also fascinating because it is an illustration of the many "splinter groups" that have developed on the edges of the Amish and Mennonite churches.  While splinter groups do occur in every church they tend to happen less in churches where the structure is more centralized.  The Amish and plain Mennonite churches are so decentralized that fragmentation and splits can form for the seemingly smallest issues.  So for a fascinating window into another world, click here to read.  And if you're in rural Kentucky, this church is headed your way!

There are plenty of good blogs out there about the Amish (I hope mine is one).   There is Erik Wesner's wonderfully informative www.amishamerica.com and one of our site regulars has a nice Amish-themed blog at http://itswonderfulgood.blogspot.com/2010/02/mesimplified.html .So I hate to give attention to a blog that I DON'T think makes the grade, but, what the heck, you gotta have a little fun sometimes.  Someone called my attention to this blog.  Take a look at it!  Sheesh....now, really, one of the joys of the internet is that it allows a person to just do as they please.  There's no law against creating a fictional blog that is an enjoyable read and that is what I would characterize Rebekah's blog - fiction.  I just don't buy a word of it.   Read the "about me" section...Rebekah confesses to:  "sneaking to the barn and blog during milking hours."  It's funny, but - in my opinion - it's fiction.  What is even funnier is when people believe that something like this is real (Rebekah has a list of "followers", I pray they are just people who enjoy funny fiction).   There are a gazillion reasons I think the blog is contrived, but diction is one.  Some people over compensate when trying to replicate an "Amish voice", by sprinkling in phrases like "gut"..."ja"....and other stuff...things that a typical Amish person just wouldn't say in the course of conversation.  On the other hand, this blog just sound too sterile...it just doesn't ring true. What do you think?  Star cake anyone?

On March 28, the Lifetime channel will show a movie called "Amish Grace", a depiction of the tragedy at Nickel Mines, PA that saw a deranged gunman charge into a schoolhouse and start shooting.  Of course, Hollywood then has to start shooting also, shooting a film.   Hollywood's depiction of the Amish is always overromanticized, over-glamourized, or over-simplified.   Too often rush-job producers sanitze and simplify what is actually a very rich and complex culture.   The film is based on the book of the same name "Amish Grace", but the authors, all three are esteemed academics, declined to participate in the film's production.   I can see why...based on early reviews, Hollywood has again failed to portray the Amish accurately.  In fairness, I am only basing my opinion on reviews....I'll watch the actual movie and then decide, but it doesn't sound good. Take a look at this scathing editorial about the movie in the Harrisburg, PA Patriot-News.

In other news, Amish residents continue to be cited around Morristown, New York for building homes without proper permits. I'm just not sure why this tiny town is spending so much of its resources on this case.  The courts have traditionally sided with the Amish on issues like this and it just seems as if they are attacking an ant with an Abrams tank.