History of the Amish

The Anabaptists was a group of reformers that rejected the popular concept of infant baptism. After these people became known as "Mennonites” (a tribute to a young Catholic priest from Holland named Menno Simons that joined the Anabaptist movement).
However, there were the followers of Jacob Amman (Anabaptists too) that had differences (they did not agree with all beliefs), led to Amman's split with the Mennonites in 1693. His followers were later called Amish.
Both were severely persecuted throughout Europe, so they migrated to the mountains of Switzerland and southern Germany. And began the Amish tradition of farming and holding their worship services in homes rather than churches.
Nowadays, they are in 23 states. Like their families are large the total Amish population has more than doubled since 1960 to over 85,000. And almost all children do not leave the church.

Posted by Mirella de Morais.