Amish Misconceptions | 12 Myths About Amish Life Explained

Seth Carter 31/05/2025

We’re welcoming Erik Wesner, author of Success Made Simple: An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive, back to help clear up some common Amish misconceptions and myths.

Since most Americans have little regular contact with Amish people and their ways can seem so different from ours, there are several persistent misconceptions about Amish life and beliefs. We look at seven of the most common below, some of them, and explain why they are inaccurate.

*This article was updated on May 31, 2025, to expand on additional common myths and reflect new insights from Amish communities. The original article was published on June 15, 2015.

Myth: Amish Don’t Pay Taxes

Do the Amish Pay Taxes?

Yes. The Amish pay nearly every type of tax that Americans do, including federal and state income taxes, sales taxes, and property taxes. They also pay taxes to fund public education, even though many do not send their children to public schools, opting for parochial church schooling instead. Amish are exempt from paying Social Security, however, which they consider to be an insurance program and against their religious beliefs. This exemption is likely the basis for the misconception that the Amish don’t pay taxes.

Myth: The Amish Think All Technology is Evil

Do the Amish Think Technology is Evil?

Amish do own and read the Bible. Bible readings may be part of a daily devotional or a Sunday reading at home (on the alternate Sunday when Amish do not have church). This myth may arise from the fact that Amish tend to discourage the heavy focus on personal interpretation, which they see as a hallmark of more evangelical faith traditions. Instead, with their community emphasis, they give comparatively more authority to the church and its ministers to interpret and help to understand the Bible.

However, they recognize that limited use of technologies, which they otherwise restrict, such as cars, can be a necessity (this is why many Amish hire non-Amish drivers for longer trips). Many also recognize that they benefit from the fruits of science and technology, such as in the medical care they receive. Some Amish permit greater levels of technology than others, but all restrict it in some way for concerns over preserving family and community.

Myth: The Amish Don’t Use Pesticides or Chemicals

Do the Amish Use Pesticides or Chemicals?

Yes. While a growing number of Amish farmers cultivate their land using organic methods, the majority of Amish farmers in fact practice conventional agriculture, using chemicals as other farmers do to control pests, for example. Traditions change over time, however, and those skeptical about the effectiveness of organic farming may be won over as more and more Amish succeed in the organic market.

Myth: Amish Bishops Control Their Churches

Do Amish Bishops Control the Church?

While some Amish bishops may earn a reputation for being heavy-handed, this idea assumes that bishops are given the power to dictate rules to their communities. While the bishop is a respected and influential figure in the Amish church, decisions about the direction of a church (such as over technology or excommunication) are decided collectively by congregational vote. The bishop does have the authority to bring a given issue to a vote, however.

Amish bishops are chosen from among the ministers (who in turn are chosen from the male members of a congregation). Bishops, like any other people, will have a variety of temperaments, which for better or worse may come through in their leadership of a church. An example of an Amish (or Amish-esque) group which did have a leader who appeared to control his community is the Bergholz, Ohio group, whose members made national news in 2012 when they were arrested for forcibly cutting the beards of other Amish. This group, called “cult-like” by one expert, is considered an anomaly, however.

Myth: Amish Women Have Few Rights

Do Amish Women Have Rights?

Yes. Among the Amish, men are formally the heads of their households. However, women can have strong influence in their homes, and may make many decisions (even though larger decisions are typically taken together).

As in any culture, there are healthy and unhealthy marriages among the Amish. Amish women are seen as sisters in the church, and as such participate as equals in church functions, having a vote in ordinations and church matters as men do (women do not serve in the ministry, however). Amish women run households and are important contributors to the home finances.

In addition to the numerous duties they fulfill as mothers and housewives, some Amish women are quite entrepreneurial, with a number running their own prospering businesses.

Amish Misconceptions: Amish Women Have Few Rights — Overlooked? Downtrodden? Hardly. Amish women are an entrepreneurial and influential part of Amish society.

Editor’s Note: You might be surprised to learn that women are heavily involved with the Amish woodshops we work with. Many of them are in leadership roles, come to our showroom and conduct training, and play key roles in the business. Read more about Amish women in the woodshops. You can also listen to our podcast on the topic, below.

Amish Misconceptions: Amish Aren’t Allowed to Read the Bible

Are Amish Allowed to Read the Bible?

Amish do own and read the Bible. Bible readings may be part of a daily devotional or a Sunday reading at home (on the alternate Sunday when Amish do not have church). This myth may arise from the fact that Amish tend to discourage the heavy focus on personal interpretation which they see as a hallmark of more evangelical faith traditions. Instead, with their community emphasis, they give comparatively more authority to the church and its ministers to interpret and help to understand the Bible.

Myth: Amish aren't allowed to read the Bible — The Amish base many of their core beliefs on Bible teachings, but rely on church leadership for interpretation of those teachings

It’s true that some Amish may be more comfortable and willing to discuss Scripture and Biblical meaning than others. Nonetheless, Amish certainly do study and discuss the Bible on their own time, in some cases using study guides and devotionals produced by non-Amish sources.

Amish Misconceptions: Amish Parents Encourage Their Youth to “Go Wild” During Rumspringa

Some Amish youth do participate in parties, alcohol and drug use, and premarital sex during the so-called Rumspringa (aka “running around”) years, typically between ages 16 and the early to mid-20s. The bad behavior of some Amish youth, which in some cases makes local or national news, is probably at the root of this misconception (further fueled by a number of media depictions of wild Amish youth, such as the television program “Breaking Amish”).

However, these stories are more the exception than the norm for Amish adolescents. Like non-Amish mothers and fathers, Amish parents who otherwise try to model Christian behavior for their children certainly do not encourage them to behave immorally during this time (though they realize that with greater freedoms, it may happen). Amish parents pray that their children uphold the Christian values that they have been taught since early childhood as they navigate the adolescent years.

That does it for Erik’s contributions. You can read more of Erik’s work at Amish America. We shall continue on with even more Amish myths and misconceptions we’ve been asked about since this blog was initially published.

Myth: All Amish Are Farmers

Are All Amish People Farmers?

No. The fact that you are reading this answer on an Amish furniture website is one sign that the Amish have a variety of professions. Farming has been historically central to Amish communities, but the Amish now engage in diverse occupations such as carpentry, construction, manufacturing, and retail.

Myth: The Amish Reject All Modern Medicine

Do the Amish Reject All Modern Medicine?

The Amish do utilize modern medical services, including hospitals and doctors. They typically prefer natural remedies initially, but they do not categorically reject modern healthcare and seek it when they deem it necessary.

Misconception: The Amish Are a Homogeneous Group

Are all Amish the Same?

No, they aren’t. There is significant diversity among Amish communities. Read all the details on the different types of Amish.

Amish Myth: Amish Marriages are Arranged

Are Amish Marriages Arranged?

No. The Amish choose their own spouses. The community has customs and courtship traditions, but families or church leaders do not arrange the marriages. Learn more about Amish wedding traditions.

Myth: The Amish Never Interact With Modern Society

Do the Amish Interact With the English and The Rest of Society?

The Amish routinely interact with the “English” (non-Amish). This is especially true in business contexts. They hire drivers, shop in non-Amish stores, partake in tourism, and they work with us to sell their heirloom-quality furniture to the masses!

I have lived in “Amish country” on several occasions, and the local stores would even set up sections of the parking lot for the Amish to tie up their horses.

Learn More About the Amish

by Seth Carter (62 Posts)

Seth Carter has been with DutchCrafters since 2020. Seth has won multiple awards for his work in Amish furniture while with DutchCrafters. He has advised and partnered with more than 150 Amish wood shops on furniture presentation, design, industry trends, product options, and the development of exclusive products. He is originally from Indiana and even lived in Amish country (LaGrange, Indiana) for an extended period of time while working with DutchCrafters. Seth was previously in charge of DutchCrafters' Amish bedroom furniture category. He was eventually promoted to lead the team that managed every product in DutchCrafters' world's largest online collection of Amish furniture.