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modrepub

(3,837 posts)
3. Rumspringa
Mon Mar 15, 2021, 05:10 PM
Mar 2021

The Amish allow their older children to "sow their oats" so to speak. After a set time they must choose if they will get baptized and join the church (community). Before that point they are allowed to do things they wouldn't normally be allowed to do. Including driving and drinking but hopefully not at the same time.

I remember this explained to me and have seen it almost first hand. My family was on the way back from a Florida vacation. We pulled into southern Chester County Sunday morning about 4am in a driving July rain storm. There was an open wagon being slowly pulled by a horse. The driver looked no older than 20 had a loose hold on the reigns and was stooped over and obviously out of it (probably drinking). One advantage under those circumstances, the horse probably knew the way home since the operator was probably totally unaware of where they were.

I tend to leave the Amish alone and let them take care of their own. Their transgressions into our world are usually far less offensive than our transgressions into their world (see West Nickel Mines shooting for example).

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Amish buggy driver facing charges [View all] mahatmakanejeeves Mar 2021 OP
At least he wasn't pulled over for speeding. Throck Mar 2021 #1
Is the horse alright? Ka-Dinh Oy Mar 2021 #2
Rumspringa modrepub Mar 2021 #3
For what it's worth the Amish people as a group are politically conservative FakeNoose Mar 2021 #4
I don't think they vote Freddie Mar 2021 #5
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