How did the amish resist assimilation into the current social status in the U.S.?
439189
"Meidung" or shunning was used toward dissidents.  If anyone was seen to hold views or behaviors at odds with the simple lifestyle of the Amish, they were shunned.  This was a way of bringing them back to the comminuty, since it was an isolated existence, and also of separating them from others so they couldn't "contaminate" them with their ideas.  This was a very effective form of resistence to assimilation.
815034
Besides fast food and hate what is American culture.  Please don't tell me freedom, or you would not be asking such a ridiculous question.  Part of becoming a better person is remembering where you came from.  Besides unless you are a Native Indian you too come from immigration.  How much do you know about the struggles that brought your people to America?
140673
Think of the formation of America. A bunch of rebelous folks from England decide that they don't want to be oppressed. They sail off to America, and they find someone else already lives there. So theses British-Immigrants decide to take the country for their own, by killing the Indians that got into their way! The country was born when the Pilgrims began cheating and killing the natives.
425497
In the US, you have a chance to make somehthing out of yourself, no matter where you comes from or your socio-econimic status.  There is no aristocracy in the US.  We are what we are driven to be.
11554
The Amishization* of America is happening rather fast.  The far right Christian coalition is afraid of science and most other fields of study so they do all that they can to interfer with education except those subjects that fit into their own very narrow biblical precepts. I am a Christian but I also believe in science.  This makes me suspect as far as far right Christians go.  Also being a Democrat is not acceptable since only Republicans can be Christians.  Some people call it the rise of the Anerican Christian-Taliban who are attempting to  take control of our democracy and establish a mind-police over us and put a Christian theocracy in place of our own government.  Men, not elected by the people, but, in their own minds, apponted by God to rule over us.  That is what the king system was supposedly. It is also how most middle east countries are set up. It is the dumbing down of America, by a fanatical few, to take us over and control us.\n(*Amish link below explains who and what the Amish are)
928246
The European people escaped the old country to the land of the great wilderness to become colonists in order to avoid endentured servitude, oppression, and persecution.  As the hand of mighty England reached across the waters into the new land of the colonies, they forced the same tyranny upon the people of the colonies that they had previously faced in the old country of England.  Then, as taxations and other tariffs were forced upon the colonists, the pressure built until it exploded.  With a militia force that was knowledged of the way of the land, they were able to conquer the mighty and arrogant English into submission.
1142798
No, that is perverse.  There are many Amish communities throughout the United States, from the East Coast to the West Coast.  Also, there are families in Europe.  \n\nAfter the Amish Rumspringa--- period of time when they reach 16 to go out into the world and experience everything---then the child chooses whether or not they want to remain in the Amish faith and lifestyle or join the "English---the world."\n\nAmish are very respectful, honorable, gentle, and faithful people.  I grew up around an Amish community.  They rely on each other and their faith in some incredible times.  Prostitution, perverse solicitation or inbreedingis not now, nor has it ever been, a part of the Amish culture.
1026224
American's are bombarded with so much information that they forget their manners and behaviors and resort to quick fixes. Adding a family into the mix makes things even more difficult. Technology, while it has provided Americans with plenty of luxuries, has also turned many into a 'work shy' nation.
519339
Most Amish are trilingual. They speak a dialect of German called Pennsylvania Dutch at home; they use High German at their worship services; and they learn English at school. They speak English when they deal with anyone who is not Amish.\n\nMy Mennonite girlfriend, who was allowed to attend high school, did take French classes with me.  Old Order Amish, however, fight to keep their children out of public schools.  The Amish schools they attend only go through 8th grade and do not teach anything more than what is necessary to maintain their simple, family oriented lives.
464415
At first, the Native Americans were probably curious.  While some tribes might have been prone to instigating trouble - many other tribes might have been open to the idea of a new group of individuals living in harmony beside them.\n\nWhat they found was group of people with very little respect for the land and its native people.  The English settlers (I'm refering to the Pilgrims up here in MA) weren't nice people and they weren't interested in cultivating meaninful relationships with natives unless it could provide them with useful knowledge to farm or hunt.  Once the Native Americans learned of the true nature of the colonizing English I'm sure they became weary of their presence.  Wars broke out - remember?  \n\nWere the English right to enter a territory that was already being lived in by others and trying to ungratefully utilize resources?  Would you want someone barging into your backyard and say "Hi I'm going to live here now - even though you've work hard your entire life for this little plot of land in the universe...oh and I'm gonna need some food, want to go grocery shopping for me?" \n\nI think you'd get rather ticked off.\n\n**\nKit4info:  You would like ME to learn MY American history?  If you are so ignorant to the treatment of the Native Americans by English settlers then you should not be responding to this question.  Research King Phillip’s War (1675-1676).  The cause of this war was due to what I said previously: mistreatment of the Natives.   Specifically: disrespect of Natives and continued expansion of the settlers.  The war involved the Wampanoag, Iroquois and Mohicans (western territories), Narragansett, Podunk,  and Nipmuck to name a few.  When war broke out most Natives sided with Phillip, a few who had converted to Christianity fought with the English, others were neutral.  Read this excerpt: \n\n “King Philip’s War was one of the bloodiest and most costly in the history of America. One in ten soldiers on both sides was injured or killed. It took many years for Plymouth and the other colonies to recover from damage to property\nThe outcome of King Philip’s War was devastating to the traditional way of life for Native People in New England. Hundreds of Natives who fought with Philip were sold into slavery abroad. Others, especially women and children, were forced to become servants locally. As the traditional base of existence changed due to the Colonists’ victory, the Wampanoag and other local Native communities had to adapt certain aspects of their culture in order to survive.”  \n\nDid I say that I think we should all leave because this land we live upon was stolen?  No – so what are you talking about “dinosaurs” for?  I am not “parroting” anything I am stating historical facts, my dear:  The Puritan settlers and their leaders were not nice people – not the innocents seeking religious freedom that you seem to think.  The majority of Native American tribes up here were NOT happy with what was happening around and did not like these intruders, although they tried to live beside them for several years, they quickly grew weary of their presence.  That was the question I read and that was what I answered.  No need to speak so condescendingly in order to gain a sense of authority because your argument is unfounded, illogical and worthless.  To deny any of these facts would be absurd; have you EVER taken an early American history class?  Someone was denied a school fieldtrip to Plimoth Plantation as a child and it shows.
400107
We shouldn't "bow down" to anyone. We are american citizens, most of us 2nd or 3rd generation foreign-born. Our ancestors had to deal with racism and religion problems and the language difference, and so should immigrants now. If they want us to do anything for them, they should learn English and about our culture and take the Citizenship Test, then we'll go from there.
87101
BECAUSE the dominant history of this country (I'm assuming you mean the U.S. when you say "America") is told from the perspective of white colonialists!  Institutionalized schooling in this country was established to enforce Protestant, Anglo-European values and I believe that, in some ways, that is still its purpose (look at No Child Left Behind!)
1000440
All Native american tribes had borders before the colonization by the puritans.\n      We had no fences but we all knew where our boundaries were, and if you chose to tresspass upon another tribes territory,you did so at your own peril.  The consequences for trespassing were usually forfeiture of your life.  Just thought you would all like to know...and they called US savages!
601808
It does happen but it takes a generation or two for new immigrants to assimilate into American society.  Some groups do not want to assimilate and just want to have their own communities, separate from others.  This is NOT what American is about.  I do not disparage anyone's culture, and we SHOULD celebrate heritage and culture of our past, but we need to all embrace our common bond as Americans.  E Pluribus Unum means "Out of Many, One".  This is what we need to strive for, to be the nation that we were on September 12th 2001.  To be One!
69273
No, it is not true. All citizens of the United States are obliged to pay taxes. However, the Amish do not collect Social Security, unemployment, or welfare benefits, and through an arrangement with the IRS do not pay Social Security Insurance. They still pay income, property, and sales tax.
331409
Mostly Tennessee white trash, but with a little bit of Rhode Island Italian immigrant and North Carolina Cherokee thrown in to keep things interestingly on edge.\n\nDon't know if that counts as a social class, but hey, this is America, they are all made up anyway.
890333
I think we're all animals deep down inside...it's that primal instinct to dominate and control and protect our own territory....except that some get greedy and want a whole lot more!  \n\nAs Tears for Fears sang...."Everybody wants to rule the world".\n\nBut seriously when it comes to races and all...I don't know that it even has to with races so much as social status...that social status can be a cultural status too, but it's basically truly a social status...poor is poor for example, add to that the fact that poor come from poor countries...you have two factors, and one more thing to look down your nose at.  Add to that religious factors, the way one dresses, what one eats...etc. etc....in the end maybe it comes down to self preservation, (because we are all amassed together living in one country per se) and thus he who has the most toys wins as it seems in today's world doesn't it, and everybody is fighting to become that "idealogy".  The problem (and danger) with politicians and others with finances and backing of sorts, is they have the power to actually do it.\n\nOn a more personal level, I think people want to both keep a sense of identity, culture and tradition and yet feel threatened by someone else wanting to do the same.  Perhaps if everyone stopped trying to impose and change the ways of others and our fundamental traditions of our home country that we choose to live in, things would go a lot smoother.  You can't just move here and segregate either.  You have to live together and keep your personal vies for your lives and home.  There is a public profile we should all try to upkeep and at home is where we should practice our own beliefs.  That to me is just plain respect which a lot of people lack.