Wisconsin's Amish Counting on Hard Work to Weather Recession
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Amish man makes his way to a field near Cambria ( Photo taken by: Mark Hoffman).
Dalton-The Amish are not isolated, and they are not completely immune from the effects of America's economic problems (Bill Glauber, Journal Sentinel, 2009).
Cultural Significance
This article reinforces Amish work ethic, a distinctive characteristic of their culture. The Amish see hard work as a virtue, while laziness is frowned upon. Their children are taught to work hard, to enjoy the work, and the satisfaction of a job well done.
Farmer's Raw Milk Sales Trial is on Hold
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Vernon Hershberger's farm was shut down for operating without a license (Photo taken by: Kyle McDaniel).
The trial of a Sauk County dairy farmer accused of crimes stemming from the sale of raw milk has been postponed until January (Rick Barrett, Journal Sentinel, 2012).
Cultural Significance
Some Amish, and other people in general, prefer to drink and eat food in its rawest form, in this case unpasteurized milk. Some believe it provides nutrients and minerals that would otherwise be removed during pasteurization. Consuming unpasteurized foods is common in some Amish cultures.
Amish Sect Leader and Followers Guilty of Hate Crimes
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Amish women leaving courthouse in Cleveland (Photo taken by: Scott R. Galvin).
Samuel Mullet Sr., the domineering leader of a renegade Amish sect, and 15 of his followers were convicted on Thursday in Cleveland of federal conspiracy and hate crimes for a series of bizarre beard-and-hair cutting attacks last fall that spread fear through the Amish of eastern Ohio (Erik Eckholm, The New York Times, 2012).
Cultural Significance
The unethical actions of the followers could be considered contrary to traditional Amish customs. The Amish are typically a more conservative and reserved people, especially the women. The Amish also follow the Bible's teaching and these crimes clearly go against such teachings.
Amish Farmer Wins Livestock-Registration Case
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(Photo retrieved from: http://www.eatingdisorderpro.com/2012/06/27/what-exactly-is-amish-chicken/)
An Amish farmer in Clark County has won his fight against the state's livestock registration law, which he argued violates his religious beliefs (Bruce Vielmetti, Journal Sentinel, 2010).
Cultural Significance
This case relates to the Amish and their religion. The farmer felt the law reflects a faith in government over God. He believes that if he registers his farm he would be shunned by the church and risk eternal damnation.