Exciting experience about Amish couple joining JW’s - and the shunning begins!

The following experience was forwarded to me by an old JW friend.  My daughter is also on her email list.  I believe my daughter has informed her that I don’t go to meetings any more, and I think my friend is trying to encourage me.  However, my daughter has shunned me, my husband and her two brothers for almost five years even though none of us are DF’d. 

I’m considering responding to this email and sending a CC to my daughter, saying something like, “What a shame that a religion would shun people just because they have a difference of opinion.”

We have had a really exciting experience in our little Congregation which I am happy to now be able to tell you about.

Allen and Mary, an Amish couple in their mid-30's who Kit and Priscilla have been studying with have taken a stand for the Truth and are officially being shunned by the Amish this Sunday.  Priscilla first called on Allan and I was along for the RV.  I remember when we got back in the car I remarked about what a spiritual person he was and so appreciative of what she showed him in the Bible about Gods Kingdom, but how difficult it would be for any of them to ever come into the Truth almost impossible or so it seemed.  It would mean not only changing their beliefs but also the whole way of life including what they do for a living.  Kit kept calling on Allan even when Allan asked him never to come back he would send him letters.  Finally, Allan answered the letters and a study was started that way.  After a lot of emotional turmoil they decided to start studying secretly in person. At first they would come in their buggy at night to our house meeting the Labrenz’s here (they live closer to us and there aren't as many Amish in the area as up at Kits).  They would hide their buggy & horse behind the trees and bushes on the south side of the pond.  They didn’t want to study in the kitchen because we don't have shades covering the windows.  They would give their Bibles and textbook back to Kit until the next week, as they wanted to be able to tell the Bishop that they  didn’t have any of our literature in their house (they were asked by them).  When they finally got strong enough to keep the literature and study at Kits (we missed them coming here) he bought a cell phone, which is against their ordinances, and they started listening to the meetings.

At the beginning of Dec, they started attending the meetings at the Kingdom Hall.  The cong as a whole had no idea that an Amish family was studying, it had to be kept quiet while they were building their spiritual strength.  So when they first stepped into the KH you can only imagine how exciting that was for everyone.  Allan said he has been looking for this all of his life.  He was always frustrated by the lack of spiritual food they received mostly it was all about traditions very much like the Jews.  Mary said she would probably have stayed content with what she was except for Allen's need to keep searching and thankfully, she agreed to go along on the journey.  They would read their German Bible together but only understanding a few words here and  there.  They speak a form of German but really don't understand the written German.  The Amish discourage strongly the reading of an English Bible, it'll make you go insane, spiritually speaking.

They wanted to sell their home in the heart of Amish country but have not had any real interest; it needed to be sold before their shunning. Now they feel that perhaps Jehovah has something in mind for them.  They can be of help to other brave Amish who might be questioning their faith.  They still dress as the Amish do; bonnets, long very modest plan

clothes for the women and a beard and black suit, etc. for the men.   Allen feels if they make a huge change right away the other Amish in the area will think this is all about rebelling against their tradition of dress and old fashion way of living without cars, etc.  Therefore, they will stay "plain people" for a while still using their horse and buggy, of course, when they start in service I think they will be encouraged to change that, but we shall see.  I mentioned to him it will be interesting to see how the Amish react to all this when we work the territory on Saturday, he asked with a chuckle, "could I come along?"   It is nice to know that he is so willing to share what he knows with others.

Last night an announcement was made that they have told the ministers of the Amish that they are studying the Bible with JW's they will be shunned as of Sunday, they wanted to thank everyone for keeping their studying a secret until they were ready to take a stand.  We now can tell  others their experience.  Everyone clapped and afterwards hugged them!  Allan said it was the most emotional meeting and he didn't think he could make a comment, but he did.  It was in the part about Cornelius, and the spirit telling Peter to "not doubt at all", that is all he could say.  I think he was thinking about how with Jehovah anything is possible, look at them!

This morning Dad is helping Allen deliver washing machines, about 9 of them that he has fixed to various Amish families and that needs to be done before Sunday when the shunning takes place at the church.  Being with them is so spiritually up building to everyone and it shows that we can never under estimate the power of Jehovah's holy spirit and what

people will be willing to do to except the freely worship  Jehovah.

Love, 

***** 

PS  They are planning on going to Idaho to visit a sister and her husband of Allan's who left the Amish a number of years ago and have since been searching but failing to find what they are looking for spiritually.  Dave is going to ask him where his sister lives as we would like to direct them to the nearest KH when they are out there and perhaps get in touch with witnesses that could continue to help that family.  I will keep you informed.

Interesting.

Just goes to show that no one is immune to Borg propaganda.

I’m considering responding to this email and sending a CC to my daughter, saying something like, “What a shame that a religion would shun people just because they have a difference of opinion.”

I like this idea.

I wonder if they're aware  that the Dubs  have a "shunning process" also ?

"He [Allen, the Amish man] was always frustrated by the lack of spiritual food they received mostly it was all about traditions very much like the Jews."

Allen and Mary can't see it yet - but one day they likely will - JWs are more like the Jews with all their traditions than almost any religion on earth.  They have gone from the frying pan into the fire.  Hopefully they will both see what they've done very soon.

As to the shunning, they will soon find out that JWs are similar to the Amish.  Even though Witnesses make this statement in the literature...

(Awake 7-09 p29)
“No one should be forced to worship in a way that he finds unacceptable or be made to choose between his beliefs and his family.” 

...Allen and Mary will learn that JWs practice just the opposite.

Hi Bonnie_Clyde, I agree with your idea, although I would be more pointed in my comment, like "How horrible that a religion forces its members to shun family or friends because they disagree with the religious leaders!!"

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

I feel bad for Allen and Mary.  They've just replaced one cult for another.  In a few years, they may be double-shunned.

How will it be when the Amish man is told by the congregation that he will have to shave off his beard,,,just because  , , ,of JW rules.

I call BS on this story.  it sounds too good to be true

If only there was a way to get these Amish folks google so they could see what they are getting into.... sigh...

Hi Bonnie_Clyde, I agree with your idea, although I would be more pointed in my comment, like "How horrible that a religion forces its members to shun family or friends because they disagree with the religious leaders!!"

I agree. Say something to make them think.

What I don't like about the Amish community is they're the largest operators of puppy mills. You can google puppy mills online and find out how horrifying it is. If you google amish and puppy mills you should be able to find the connection. It's a dark secret in the amish community.

How ironic, they are being shunned by the Amish, but everyone involved needs to feel good about it and can't say a single negative thing because THEY DO THE EXACT SAME THING!

I might mention something in the return email about how the JW's are encouraging this young couple to become Apostates from the Amish religion and in their opinion believe that since the Amish, are part of Babylon the Great and don't have Gods backing, have no scriptural grounds for  shunning people for leaving. Yet they would be horrified if an Amish minister came around to their homes and tried to persuade their family members to become Amish or if one of thier members was sneaking off to Amish country to study the Amish religion.

What ever happened to "do unto others as you would have done unto yourselves? " Talk about a double standard.

hey hoser before you call BS look up the WT Library , its happened before. In the states and in Amish communities in Argentina.

This is the time i feel sad for people who are drawn into this religion of a book publishing company.

Az

I am sorry that your daughter shuns you, i hope you can find a way to help her see her own hypocrisy.

how long before this experiance ends up in  an awake!?

Oz

An interesting story and their new life as JWs has been marred by their deceipt which is being supported by the JWs.  Reading between the lines, there are washing machines (one would think manual) that need to be delivered to their fellow friends who would not accept them if he was shunned and there is possible some spoken/unspoken legal agreement regarding this.  So they deliberately hiding this information from them. 

All for what reason?  Money.  If they had been the latest, you beaut models there may have been a few JW families prepared to take them of his hands. 

What are the Amish doing with washing machines? I assume they are the standard laundry appliance in most industrliazed countries. The power is electicity. Does not sound plain to me? If they were delivering washboards for hand laundry that would make sense.

This story sounds hokey. The Amish have very strong social and familial ties. They must know their Bible far, far more than a Witness. Maybe this is creative writing. 

Imagine losing your farm, your family, life long friends, your very existence only to burnt by the new religion. Amish shunning is wrong but JW shunning is Christian. Note, too, that Amish teenagers are purposefully given a taste of the outside world and parties, cigarettes,etc. before permanently joining the Amish so they can see what they are mssing. The Witnesses offer no free period in the world.

Don't assume the Amish wouldn't have washing machines.  Each community has their own set of rules, and sometimes limited electricity is allowed for very specific tasks.  For instance, if these people are in any business that serves the public, there may be health codes they must follow.  They will adjust to this.  Dairy farmers must have certain levels of santitation, particularly in their bathrooms, Amish or not.

Also, many Amish are NOT familiar with their bibles.  They read them in an archaic German that they don't speak everyday.  Also it's not highly encouraged.  They are about tradition, and are not overly religious.  Even their prayers can be very structured--rather than personal.

This story was very believable.  I don't know if it's true, but the details are not outrageous. 

NC