Friday, January 28, 2011

Rumspringa, pg. 148-172

This chapter is called "Shunning: To Keep the Church 'Pure.'" The first person is Velda B. She is dating an Amish boy. They are getting married soon. One today, she goes to an English church service. Then, she talks to the pastor, and he says something that touches her heart. She tells her fiance that she wasn't sure if she wanted to join the Church. They agrue and eventually break up.  She leaves the community. Then, she finds out that she's been banned. She feels alone and commits suicide.

Next is Loretta Mae H. She's now 70 years old. When she was 20, she was shunned. One day, she has a bake sale and sells cookies to some Amish girls. A couple days later, they came back and returned the cookies because she had been shunned. Shunning is an important part of Amish life. It is done to keep the Church pure. Shunning helps keep bad ideas out.

Next is Kathryn L. Her son is hanging out with the wrong group. One of the boy's family blames her son for hanging out with English girls. However, he proves himself innocent.

Next is Ruth G. She was almost shunned because she had a washing machine for her back. The bishop said no, and they had to get rid of it. Now, several years later, her daughter's husband was almost shunned for having a heater in his workshop. Eventually, they were shunned.

Next is Susie Riehl. She's an artist. She was almost shunned for being interviewed about her art. Then, the book goes on to say that shunning is an important part of Amish life. It is done to keep the Church pure. Shunning helps keep bad ideas out.

Next is Lydia T. She has ran away from her community. She has a six month period to come back, but she leaves. She has been shunned. The Amish community talked crap about her. Then, the book again states the shunning mantains the Amish community.

I think this chapter was very insightful. I learned a lot about the why one is shunned.

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