As enjoyable as it might be to romanticize the Amish, the author carefully avoided mentioning the many ethical problems with Amish culture. As devout readers of the Bible, the Amish follow Proverbs 13:24, which is commonly misquoted as, "Spare the rod, spoil the child." Corporal punishment of children is common in both Amish households and schools. Likewise, the Amish positions on divorce, abortion, and homosexuality shouldn't surprise you. Their position on genetic testing is particularly egregious[1]:
> Since almost all Amish descend from about 200 18th-century founders, genetic disorders that come out due to inbreeding exist in more isolated districts (an example of the founder effect). Some of these disorders are quite rare, or unique, and are serious enough to increase the mortality rate among Amish children. The majority of Amish accept these as "Gottes Wille" (God's will); they reject use of preventive genetic tests prior to marriage and genetic testing of unborn children to discover genetic disorders.
We might be happier living more simply in small communities, but the Amish are a terrible example to follow. They reliably inflict needless suffering upon themselves and their children. And even if such a lifestyle was more enjoyable, it would only be available to a select minority. To feed over 7 billion human beings, we need mechanized agriculture and chemical fertilizers.
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amish#Health
> Since almost all Amish descend from about 200 18th-century founders, genetic disorders that come out due to inbreeding exist in more isolated districts (an example of the founder effect). Some of these disorders are quite rare, or unique, and are serious enough to increase the mortality rate among Amish children. The majority of Amish accept these as "Gottes Wille" (God's will); they reject use of preventive genetic tests prior to marriage and genetic testing of unborn children to discover genetic disorders.
We might be happier living more simply in small communities, but the Amish are a terrible example to follow. They reliably inflict needless suffering upon themselves and their children. And even if such a lifestyle was more enjoyable, it would only be available to a select minority. To feed over 7 billion human beings, we need mechanized agriculture and chemical fertilizers.
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amish#Health