Amish Miscellaneous beliefs

The argument

The Amish believe that once a person has died, they’re no longer there. They are immediately with God in the afterlife. Salvation is achieved not just through faith but also a lifetime of obedience to family and church authority. Erring members may be shunned until there is repentance, forgiveness and restoration to full fellowship.

Premises

Counter-arguments

A counter notes that these 'miscellaneous' beliefs vary across Amish affiliations and are sometimes summarised by outside observers in ways the Amish would qualify. On salvation, for instance, many Amish reject the idea that assurance can be claimed at all, regarding it as presumptuous, so 'salvation through obedience' simplifies a more nuanced humility about grace. Shunning practice (Meidung) also differs sharply between Old Order and more lenient groups. As with any short catalogue of a diverse tradition's beliefs, the entry is best read as a broad sketch rather than a uniform doctrine.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P2] Many Amish regard claiming assured salvation as presumptuous, so 'salvation through obedience' simplifies a more nuanced humility about grace rather than a settled doctrine. [Rejecting P3] Shunning practice (Meidung) varies sharply between Old Order and more lenient affiliations, so a single description of discipline flattens real differences among Amish groups.