Ask About The Amish
A Weekly Deep Dive into Amish Life, Beliefs, and Traditions
Why This Matters and What We’re Doing
When someone walks into our store and sees the words “Amish Furniture,” they recognize the name — but they don’t always understand what it means. And that’s okay. The Amish don’t advertise. They don’t explain themselves. They don’t post videos from their woodshops.
But when you sit at an Amish-made table or run your hand along a handcrafted dresser, something feels different. It’s stronger. Heavier. More purposeful.
That’s not a trend — it’s a way of life.
At Beds Etc., Amish Furniture, we’ve built personal, long-term relationships with Amish families across Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Virginia. We know who’s building each piece. We’ve stepped inside their shops, eaten at their tables, and worked with them side-by-side. And we created this blog series — Ask About the Amish — to help you understand the deeper story behind the craftsmanship.
This is about more than just furniture.
It’s about values — faith, family, simplicity, and hard work.
It’s about a slower, more intentional way of life.
And it’s about honoring the people who make some of the best work in the world.
Each week, we’ll answer one question. Some will be about their culture, some about their beliefs, others about practical things like hygiene or technology. But all of it will bring you closer to the truth behind the word Amish — and why their work stands apart.
Before We Begin: Misconceptions, Prejudice, and the Truth About Animals
We see it on social media all the time:
“Never buy anything from the Amish — they abuse animals.”
“They mistreat their horses.”
“They run puppy mills.”
Not All Amish Are the Same
Let’s address this clearly — and honestly.
There are more than 500 Amish communities across the U.S., and each one is unique. They all follow their own Ordnung (a local set of community rules). What’s allowed in one settlement may be completely forbidden in another. Just like any other group, some Amish may do things we disagree with — but that doesn't mean all Amish are the same.
About Puppy Mills
To generalize an entire group of people over the actions of a few is wrong — and in today’s world, we’d call that exactly what it is: prejudice.
Let’s talk about the phrase “Amish puppy mill.”
Yes, there are Amish breeders. Yes, some of them run what the world calls a puppy mill. But here’s what’s often left out of the conversation: those breeders are a small minority, and most of them are not in the same communities that build the furniture we sell. In fact, most known puppy mills in the U.S. are located in Missouri — and none of the Amish builders we work with have any connection to that world.
It’s also important to understand how the Amish view animals. Their belief is rooted in scripture — that animals serve man, and man serves God. It’s not cruelty. It’s Biblical.
The so-called “puppy mill” may sound horrible in theory, but here’s the truth most people don’t want to admit:
The moment that puppy is sold, it’s not the breeder raising it — it’s you. And the sad reality is that many animals suffer after they’re purchased, not before.
So let’s ask the hard questions:
Is it the person who bred the dog that’s responsible for abuse?
Or is it the owner who chains it in the backyard, doesn’t train it, or drops it off at a shelter?
Also — when you walk your dog around the neighborhood or cuddle it on the couch, do you really know (or care) where it came from? Odds are, you don’t. And most dogs, once they’re in loving homes, are happy. They live good lives.
We’re not defending poorly run breeding operations. We’re saying:
If you’re against puppy mills, don’t buy dogs from them.
But don’t lump an entire culture into one accusation — especially when most of the Amish we work with are nowhere near that world. It’s ignorant, and it’s unfair.
The Amish and Their Horses
Another common accusation we hear is that the Amish mistreat their horses. But what most people forget is that the Amish rely on their animals for survival. Horses aren’t pets in Amish culture — they are essential to transportation, farming, and day-to-day life.
They don’t see animals as emotional companions — they see them as a gift from God, designed to serve a purpose. They feed them, house them, water them, and depend on them.
Yes, modern culture is less tolerant of such things. But the Amish don’t live in modern culture. They live according to the Bible, where man was given dominion over the animals. Two hundred years ago, no one lived in an “animal rights” society. People raised their food, worked their land, and lived alongside their animals with purpose — not sentimentality.
The Bible says:
“God blessed them and said… ‘Fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over every living creature.’”
— Genesis 1:28
To the Amish, this isn’t just a belief — it’s a way of life. And while it may not align with modern expectations, it’s deeply rooted in scripture and tradition.
Week 1: Why Do Amish Communities Follow Different Rules?
Q: Why are some Amish communities stricter than others? Who decides what they’re allowed to do or use — and why do they choose to live this way?
A: There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Amish communities vary widely — and that’s because each one follows a unique, unwritten set of rules called the Ordnung. These rules govern daily life, including technology, clothing, worship, farming, even how furniture is made.
Who Makes the Rules?
Each district — typically 20 to 40 families — is led by a bishop, two ministers, and a deacon. These leaders are chosen by lot (not by vote), which they believe allows God to decide. Twice a year, they review the Ordnung and determine what will be allowed or restricted.
That’s why one group of Amish might use solar lights or phones for business — while another still uses oil lamps and horse-drawn wagons only.
What Makes a Community?
An Amish community is not just people living near each other — it’s a way of life. Every person has a role:
- Men work in farming, woodworking, or trades.
- Women manage the home, garden, sew, and raise the children.
- Children help from a young age and attend Amish school until 8th grade. After that, they learn through hands-on work and family guidance.
Church is held in homes every other Sunday. Families take turns hosting, and meals are shared afterward. It’s not about ritual — it’s about connection.
Why They Live This Way
The Amish don't avoid modern life out of fear — they avoid it out of faith. They believe simplicity protects them from pride, temptation, and distraction.
By living slower and staying rooted in community, they believe they stay closer to God. That belief shapes how they dress, work, parent, build, and worship. And it absolutely shows in their furniture — made with patience, by hand, with quality that outlasts trends.
Why We’re Starting With Western Pennsylvania
Many of our most trusted builders are from Western Pennsylvania — known for being some of the most traditional Amish in the country. These are communities that don’t allow electricity, don’t use cell phones, and still rely on compressed air tools and horse-drawn transport.
Their furniture reflects that. It’s not just rustic — it’s real. Made with care. Crafted with purpose. Done the way it’s always been.
As we continue this series, we’ll expand into the Amish communities of Ohio, Indiana, and Virginia, where the lifestyle is often a bit more modern — but the values and craftsmanship remain the same.
🪡 Week 2 – July 2025
Clothing & Appearance: Simplicity in Every Stitch
If you’ve ever passed an Amish family on the road or seen them at a produce stand, one of the first things you notice is their clothing — plain, modest, and unlike anything else in the modern world.
But what they wear isn’t just tradition. It’s belief in action.
The Amish dress the way they do because of a deeply rooted desire to remain humble, separate, and obedient to God. Their clothing reflects their values: no vanity, no pride, no competition. In a world obsessed with brands, trends, and self-expression, the Amish choose the opposite — uniformity, modesty, and function.
Their rules about clothing come directly from the Ordnung, and they cover everything — from color, fabric, and fastening, to hairstyle and even the way garments are sewn.
👔 For Men:
- Solid-colored shirts in neutral or darker tones
- Suspenders (never belts)
- Beards grown after marriage
- Hair trimmed simply, no mustaches ever
- No logos, patterns, or trendy styles
🧣 For Women:
- Long dresses with a cape and apron
- Hair never cut, always worn up in a bun
- White prayer coverings for married women; black or dark for single women
- No jewelry, makeup, or patterned fabrics
- Clothing often sewn by hand, passed down
👀 What We’ve Seen Firsthand
When we visit the Amish families we work with — specifically the builders in Western Pennsylvania, who craft a lot of the rustic furniture you’ll find in our store — their commitment to tradition is instantly clear. These are Old Order Amish communities, among the most conservative, and their appearance reflects that.
One of the most striking and beautiful sights we often see is their clotheslines — long, thin ropes strung from the house to a tall tree or pole — carrying clothes high into the sky. Women’s dresses, men’s shirts, and handmade aprons flap gently in the breeze, sometimes stretching across 30 or 40 feet of open air. It’s practical, yes — but it’s also symbolic: a simple, orderly life hung out in the open for all to see.
The same care and intentionality they put into washing and drying their clothes is the same care they put into building furniture — slowly, intentionally, and without shortcuts.
🎯 The Reason Behind the Rules
To the Amish, clothing isn’t about style — it’s about discipline and devotion. The goal is not to stand out, but to blend in with your community. Uniformity promotes equality. It removes distraction. And it reminds everyone — daily — that pride is the enemy of faith.
Even fasteners matter. Many communities forbid zippers, opting instead for straight pins or hooks and eyes, which are simpler and more humble.
When you understand this mindset, you realize something profound:
The Amish aren’t dressing plain to look a certain way — they’re dressing plain to live a certain way.
More to Come Next Week
We’ll be back next week with another real and respectful look into Amish life — continuing our mission to share the traditions, beliefs, and values behind the hands that build the furniture we’re proud to offer.
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Written by the team at Beds Etc., Amish Furniture — where every piece tells a story.
