Ordnung (pronounced [ˈɔʁdnʊŋ] ⓘ) is the German word for order, discipline, rule, arrangement, organization, or system.
Ultimately, adherents claim that its rules are supported by scripture, and they believe that persecution is the natural result of Christian discipleship.
[5][page needed] In Garry Schmidt's book, Early Anabaptist Spirituality, he argues that a person who has learned to live within a respectful Ordnung appreciates the value of freedom of heart, peace of mind, and clear conscience.
Some of the most common Ordnung rules are: separation from the world, hard work, a woman's submission to her husband, mode of dress, and refusal to buy insurance.
Non-Amish often think of the Ordnung in terms of restrictions (e.g., women must submit to husbands, no electrical power lines, no telephone in the home, no personal ownership of automobiles).
As such, anything viewed as disruptive to their society, such as personal power, wealth, and status, are funneled through the Ordnung social order.
Any rule that is not directly supported by biblical references will be justified through reasoning as to why violating it would cause the believer to turn worldly.
Obedience is a close associate to Ordnung, because it is a symbol informing the body of believers as to whether a member loves the church or does not.
An important part of Amish life is Gelassenheit (pronounced [ɡəˈlasn̩haɪt] ⓘ) — "yieldedness", "letting be", or "submission to the will of God" (in modern German approximately: "composure", "tranquility", "serenity").
This concept derives from the Bible when Jesus said, "not my will but thine be done,"[8] thereby making individuality, selfishness, and pride, abhorrent (see humility).
An Amish businessman may look forward to plan for new markets for his products, however, he never loses sight of the past and its precious legacy.
Through Gelassenheit, an Amish person yields to the Ordnung, the will of God, church, elders, parents, community, and traditions.
Owning an automobile could be a sign of status and it would promote vanity and competition between the church members; a direct violation of Gelassenheit's value of modesty.
Although Amish home and social life has remained mostly unaltered, a new technology can be adopted once it has passed a rigorous examination.
The Food and Drug Administration and the United States Department of Agriculture demand that certain guidelines be followed before milk can be marketed.
[14] This may be more expensive than grid electricity, but lacks the degree of intrusion on Amish values and households that would result if fixed-line external power were used.
A district’s Ordnung is meant to convey the community's rigid traditions, so whenever members begin exploring new things which raise concerns, the local church must decide if such activities should be allowed.
After listening to a discussion on the issue in question, the adult church members, men and women (all are expected to attend unless they are ill), vote.
For example, an Amish woman might decide that voting for a change is not worth the risk that she may never again talk to her daughter who married a young man from another district.
Non-Amish are not allowed to attend their council meetings, and most Amish are hesitant to discuss the details with outsiders, therefore the precise reasons are difficult to explain.
Most Americans see the Amish as different because they drive buggies, use horse drawn farm implements, dress plainly, etc.
As modernization takes place, the Amish negotiate to what degree they will accept and utilize technology and other practices of the outside world.