Amish, Mennonites, man and animals

February 20, 2009

The revelation of the puppy mills is shocking to me because I have always admired the Amish and Mennonites simpler ways of life and eschewal of technology and gentle ways (at least towards their fellow men), though I have not personally agreed with the rigidity and the enforced subservient roles of the women. Mind you, I think that there is nothing wrong with having more traditional families where the roles of the sexes differ and the mother nurtures her children (by choice rather than by force and indoctrination). Though I fully support equal rights for women, I also believe that the loss of traditional family values has led to much of what is wrong with our society.

Before we condemn ALL Amish and Mennonites though, I think it should be pointed out that it appears that we are talking primarily about 100 families. If we are to use the same blanket logic, would we condemn all Baptists because there are certainly over 100 families to be found in that religion who espouse dog and cock fights, raise pit bulls, shoot dogs they have no use for, and beat their wives. The same analogy could likely be used for a great many groups by religion, skin color, political preference, etc.

I have never had much contact with the Amish, but have witnessed several Mennonite families (who I think of as "Amish Light"). For the most part they seem pretty happy and well adjusted, though sometimes I think that their women kind of have a "deer in the headlights" look when out shopping by themselves.

I can only guess that those involved in the puppy mills use the part in the Bible about man being given dominion over all living things. I have, to my dismay, heard others use such justification for dog fighting. I would simply point out that the Bible, however divinely inspired, was written by men and edited and re-interpreted by men. Is it then any surprise that it is slanted heavily towards men? Women had little input and animals none at all.

Besides the part about having dominion (I think we actually have "custody" and a duty to be the best shephards we can), there is also this passage which the puppy mill and dog fight people seem to have overlooked:

"A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel." - Proverbs 12:10. the Hebrew Scriptures, King James Version.

February 20, 2009

Good Post!!!

Smiles,

Terry--- On Fri, 2/20/09, Tony wrote:

Tony Amish, Mennonites, man and animalsoleander soup Date: Friday, February 20, 2009, 9:35 AM

The revelation of the puppy mills is shocking to me because I have always admired the Amish and Mennonites simpler ways of life and eschewal of technology and gentle ways (at least towards their fellow men), though I have not personally agreed with the rigidity and the enforced subservient roles of the women. Mind you, I think that there is nothing wrong with having more traditional families where the roles of the sexes differ and the mother nurtures her children (by choice rather than by force and indoctrination) . Though I fully support equal rights for women, I also believe that the loss of traditional family values has led to much of what is wrong with our society.

Before we condemn ALL Amish and Mennonites though, I think it should be pointed out that it appears that we are talking primarily about 100 families. If we are to use the same blanket logic, would we condemn all Baptists because there are certainly over 100 families to be found in that religion who espouse dog and cock fights, raise pit bulls, shoot dogs they have no use for, and beat their wives. The same analogy could likely be used for a great many groups by religion, skin color, political preference, etc.

I have never had much contact with the Amish, but have witnessed several Mennonite families (who I think of as "Amish Light"). For the most part they seem pretty happy and well adjusted, though sometimes I think that their women kind of have a "deer in the headlights" look when out shopping by themselves.

I can only guess that those involved in the puppy mills use the part in the Bible about man being given dominion over all living things. I have, to my dismay, heard others use such justification for dog fighting. I would simply point out that the Bible, however divinely inspired, was written by men and edited and re-interpreted by men. Is it then any surprise that it is slanted heavily towards men? Women had little input and animals none at all.

Besides the part about having dominion (I think we actually have "custody" and a duty to be the best shephards we can), there is also this passage which the puppy mill and dog fight people seem to have overlooked:

"A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel." - Proverbs 12:10. the Hebrew Scriptures, King James Version.

February 21, 2009

I'm with you on that - dominion over the animals meant good stewardship to me. As for the role of women, a young pastor once told me that seeing that God gave his lovely wife to him, he had better heed her! What a wise man! --- On Fri, 2/20/09, Tony wrote:Tony Amish, Mennonites, man and animalsoleander soup Date: Friday, February 20, 2009, 8:35 AM

The revelation of the puppy mills is shocking to me because I have always admired the Amish and Mennonites simpler ways of life and eschewal of technology and gentle ways (at least towards their fellow men), though I have not personally agreed with the rigidity and the enforced subservient roles of the women. Mind you, I think that there is nothing wrong with having more traditional families where the roles of the sexes differ and the mother nurtures her children (by choice rather than by force and indoctrination) . Though I fully support equal rights for women, I also believe that the loss of traditional family values has led to much of what is wrong with our society.

Before we condemn ALL Amish and Mennonites though, I think it should be pointed out that it appears that we are talking primarily about 100 families. If we are to use the same blanket logic, would we condemn all Baptists because there are certainly over 100 families to be found in that religion who espouse dog and cock fights, raise pit bulls, shoot dogs they have no use for, and beat their wives. The same analogy could likely be used for a great many groups by religion, skin color, political preference, etc.

I have never had much contact with the Amish, but have witnessed several Mennonite families (who I think of as "Amish Light"). For the most part they seem pretty happy and well adjusted, though sometimes I think that their women kind of have a "deer in the headlights" look when out shopping by themselves.

I can only guess that those involved in the puppy mills use the part in the Bible about man being given dominion over all living things. I have, to my dismay, heard others use such justification for dog fighting. I would simply point out that the Bible, however divinely inspired, was written by men and edited and re-interpreted by men. Is it then any surprise that it is slanted heavily towards men? Women had little input and animals none at all.

Besides the part about having dominion (I think we actually have "custody" and a duty to be the best shephards we can), there is also this passage which the puppy mill and dog fight people seem to have overlooked:

"A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel." - Proverbs 12:10. the Hebrew Scriptures, King James Version.