Day 23

After stopping for some pretzels in Amish Country

Today, when entering the bathroom at the Amish household, I found myself searching every wall for the light until I remembered where I was. Then I couldn’t help but think that our dependency on electricity is an understatement. Rather, for some, computers, cell phones, and televisions have become a means of survival. Technology has become a resource as vital as food and water for the average human being. Americans are not the only addicts. Recent statistics revealed that Indonesia is the number one user of Facebook and twitter. Prior to leaving for Indonesia, my boss told me he was conflicted with whether to bring his iPad, kindle, or laptop. That’s when you really have a problem. Seeing how the majority of the population is a slave to technology, you can’t help but admire the Amish for resisting progression and wanting to hold on to the traditions of their forefathers. 

The beauty of their life is its simplicity. Their food is not drowning in a pool of chemicals, their kids’ bedrooms don’t look like arcades, and finally they have no problem seeing the stars at night. At the same time, as we discussed on the bus ride home, most Amish would not take advantage of an airplane, meaning they would never have the opportunity to explore the world. I never understand why Americans, Amish individuals and the average citizens alike, have no desire to see what’s beyond the walls of this nation. Every country is the product of a unique historical background and home to a distinctive group of people who value traditions and customs that can be found nowhere else. Why limit yourself to one area if so much more is out there? They may be able to Google a country like Indonesia, but it will never compare to physically experiencing their culture, tasting their food, hearing their language, and seeing the remarkable differences between both worlds. At the same time, the Amish do know how to cook. So, I can understand why that has grounded them for this long.

--Angela Farren, Lehigh University

Razwan Butt, introducing us to the Islamic Center of the Lehigh Valley

 

Yesterday was a pretty cool day all around. We started off by giving the Indonesian girls a tour of Lehigh, and I couldn't have asked for better weather to do so. While living day-to-day life at Lehigh, it is easy to forget how beautiful our buildings and campus are. Afterwards, we went to the Muslim Association of the Lehigh Valley, where a very special man told us about what it means for him to be a Muslim in America. All to often we hear of hate crimes and discrimination, which certainly still exist in many parts of our country and the world; however, it was heart-warming to hear how he has found a safe haven within the Lehigh Valley. It was inspiring for me to hear about how much the Association has integrated into daily society, for example by providing women's shelters with fresh produce and meat and by helping out a local school district to make their policies more friendly to a variety of different religions.
 

We followed this up with a VERY different example of American religious tradition: Amish country in Lancaster, PA. Though I have been before, it was exciting to experience their world with a group of people who most likely have never seen anything like the Amish. The ride down to Lancaster and the Amish farms themselves were absolutely breathtaking, as are many PA landscapes. Even better, however, was the food. Everything from the homemade chips to the soft pretzels (to die for) to the delicious home cooked meal we had with a family, their food is simple and comforting. It was interesting to learn about what is appropriate and not in terms of modern comforts for the Amish, which both Americans and Indonesians had many questions about. Jane, our tour guide, explained that like so many other religions and groups around the world, the Amish sometimes don't even know why certain modern amenities are unacceptable. 

Probably the coolest part for me was after Gita gave the little girl who helped serve us dinner the gift of a paper fan from Indonesia-perhaps a country she had never even heard of, let alone knew where it is. Stacy was there to witness the encounter, and spoke about how remarkable it probably was for the Amish women to see women in hijab, and how they were most likely itching to question them, but didn't want to seem impolite. In a situation where American and Indonesian students alike were learning much about the Amish community, it didn't even occur to me that the Amish community might have a few questions for us too--talk about some pretty cool dialogue.

--Ellie McGuire, Lehigh University

 

Earlier on that day, we also went to the Islamic Center of the Muslim Association of the Lehigh Valley. I love the discussion with Rizwan Butt. He made me understand more about my religion. He came from Bahrain and just like most of the Moslem who came from a country with the majority of Moslem; he took his religion for granted, just as me too.  Then he went to United States and decided to learn about Islam from the very basic, releasing all cultural attachment and he found that Islam is a very beautiful.

That morning one of our interesting discussions was about Islam and women. Woman's status in Islam is one of the most controversial and serious issues of our time, not only among Muslim women and those who represent them in the area of women's rights in the Islamic world, but also among fundamentalist Muslims. Rizwan clarified to us about this thing. He explained that in Islam men and women are biologically different from each other and that’s why each has their respective roles. Not that it means men and women are not equal in Islam. He explained that from Aisha to Umm Waraqa, women in early Islam held numerous prominent positions as transmitters of hadith to spiritual, legal, and interpretive authorities. The rights granted to women in the Qur'an and by the prophet Muhammad were a vast improvement in comparison to the situation of women in Arabia prior to the advent of Islam. But after the Prophet's death, the condition of women in Islam began to decline and reverts back to pre-Islamic norms. “That’s why we need to understand Islam from different perspectives, not just taken it for granted”, he said. I agree.  


The Amish: Another Portrait of America

In our first day of adventure in Pennsylvania, the committee brought us to visit the Amish Country. I should say that this is the most interesting Bethlehem’s part for me. If you imagining that all Americans live in the sophisticated world full of IPad, IPod, Macbook, and so on, well, I should say you’re not wrong. But not all Americans live like that. This Amish Country showed another dimension of Americans. Pennsylvania Amish Country is a picturesque landscape that must be witnessed in person to be fully appreciated. Rolling hills with lush grasses and crops, farms with windmills dotting the horizon and horse and buggies sharing the road remind you that things are simpler there in Lancaster County.

The story of the Pennsylvania Amish community dates back to the 16th century Reformation in Europe, when the Anabaptist movement spurred the creation of three "plain" communities: the Amish, Mennonites and Brethren. Members of this conservative Christian faith came to Pennsylvania in the early 18th century to escape persecution in Europe for their Anabaptist beliefs.  Although these spiritual groups have similarities, the Amish are the most conservative, emphasizing humility, family, community and separation from the non-Amish world, which includes a reluctance to adopt modern conveniences such as electricity. But the interesting thing is although the Pennsylvania Amish resist cultural influences, they are willing to strike compromises with the modern world, tapping its benefits while still preserving the Amish identity. They are willing to use modern technology to work and communicate - as long as they do not disrupt family and community stability.

Our first stop in Amish’s landscape was at Daniel’s house. Daniel is twelve years old and he is a smart and talkative boy. He has a very unique accent. I had hard times to understand what he said while explaining the Amish’s lives, what they do and how they live. Amish children had formal education only lasts through the eighth grade. There is no option to attend modern public school, nor a higher education institution. The Amish in Lancaster, PA believe that either of these options would pull children away from their community's families and church traditions, threatening their values with individualism, competition, rational thinking and secularism.

After showing us his family workhouse, we had this chance to look around of their mare installation. The mares are very lovely. We took a lot of pictures there. But one important thing that must be remembered when visiting Amish Country is “do not take picture of their faces”. You still can take picture of their horses, houses, farms, buggies, but better asking for permission first. Just as the Amish do not carry personal photographs or display them in homes, they do not want others to take photographs of them. The Amish believe that photographs in which they can be recognized violate the Biblical commandment, "Thou shalt not make unto thyself a graven image." They want to be remembered by the lives they lived and the examples they left, not by physical appearance.

Once I asked Mom Debra what happened if we insist to take pictures of their faces, are they going to be angry? Or how would they react? Mom Debra said that she, once, made this mistake taking picture of them and they didn’t say anything, “But you can see the pain on their faces and you definitely don’t want to see that”, said Mom Debra. Jane, our guide, told that when we take pictures of them, they believe that their soul is taken away.

Amish community lives in a very peaceful life. They never fight back when they are hurt. They are very forgiving. In the middle of the tour when we passed by Amish school, Jane told us this story about five Amish children who murdered while they are in school. The murderer had mental disorder. The family of the murderer came to the community and asking for forgiveness and they said that they already forgave and would never mention about that again. The even did not sue the murderer. I cannot imagine how if that’s happened to my family. Probably I would never forgive the murderer and definitely would sue him. That day, I learnt about forgiving.

Our adventure in Amish country is ended by dinner in Ebersol’s house. They served a very very very good food. I love the peanut butter a lot. That was the best meal I have ever had in my life. They also sang for us. I felt peaceful there. I wish someday I could return to the Lancaster County with my children and taught them about norm and values that I learnt from the Amish.

--Cut Nury Hikmah Sabry, University of Indonesia

Boy is it nice to be back in America. I have a new appreciation for plugging things directly into the wall. In fact, I can charge my laptop, iPhone, and digital camera all at the same time. I can't even describe how something so simple has brought me such immense joy. The stark contrast between living like that and visiting the Amish has only helped me to appreciate it more. The Amish live in a way that preserves their religion and culture, while at the same time is fulfilling to them as people, however, I think that sacrificing electricity and other modern amenities for the sake of being "plain" is unfair. I think it would benefit them to modernize minimally. They probably don't know what they are missing since they don't live with electricity but they can benefit from something like this. What if someone gets into a farming accident, or falls down the stairs? Traveling via horse and buggy is not the most ideal means of transportation to a hospital, etc. and calling an ambulance would take longer than just driving straight there. Things like owning a car or having a cell phone for emergencies are not necessarily lifestyle changes, they are precautionary measures that can be taken to ensure the health and safety of the Amish people. Living in Amish style homes that are neighboring "English" style homes was one way they are actually able to get help if an accident or fire were to occur in the neighborhood. I think that is a smart move for those who have branched out to live among the Amish/"English" border.
 

We actually began our day by visiting the Islamic Center of the Muslim Association of the Lehigh Valley, where we spoke to Rizwan Butt, who was an active member of the Muslim community and the committee at the mosque. He was a really endearing person and it was clear that he was so so happy about life and about being Muslim. What I have observed in my parish is quite different than his attitude. Members go to the sermons because they feel obligated to out of guilt or fear that they are sinning rather than going because they actually want to be there. One of the beautiful things about Islam that I really find fascinating is the notion that if you don't participate in your prayers or sermon wholeheartedly, it doesn't count. It makes me respect them even more because I know that they are (especially in America) following something that is a passion for them and not just something inherited from generations of followers. We had even met a young family that had converted to Islam from Catholicism. I really enjoyed that portion of our day and I really hope that the participants get to do it again next year. Can't wait to shop tomorrow!! $$$$$ 

--Shannon Cassidy, Lehigh University