Howdy Martina! yes you are so right, they are very strange in many ways, trying way too hard to avoid modern conveniences and luxuries because they think that will make them fall into the temptation of becoming carnel and worldly.

I think they could avoid the temptations of the world without resorting to using horses for working their fields and for transportation, to me that's going a little too extreme but it's their choice and it has worked for them for hundreds of years so that's an argument for their lifestyle as well.

No this is just one post because I would have to buy several books to really do details of their beliefs, traditions and way of life and I haven't done that. They are quite the controversy with several books exalting them and several condemning them.
I've had many requests to do a series about whites who were captured by the Indians and then wrote about their experience later in life so that is how I'm leaning at the moment.

I just like the fact that the Amish produce tremendous amounts of organic produce, meats, dairy products and wine of the highest quality and totally green and natural of course. We used to shop at a health food store that was almost entirely products from the large Amish settlements and it was a real blessing.

But they ARE a strange lot. They don't even believe in zippers on their clothing because that's too luxurious! lol. give me a break, they're very against people enjoying life too much!