Amish politics and attitudes to equality

The Amish want to live apart from the world and do not pass judgment on outsiders.^[1] They're patriarchal, ‘traditional’ values do not sit well alongside ideas of equality. They believe God established special roles for men and women. It is the man’s responsibility to be the spiritual leader in the home and the church. The man’s head should be uncovered in praying, while the woman’s head is to be veiled signifying her acceptance of Christ’s order.^[2] The Amish admire large families and tend not to use birth control other than to control the spacing of children.^[3] They believe sex outside of marriage, divorce, homosexuality, and public nakedness are sins forbidden by the Bible. Modesty and purity are vital virtues.^[3] Amish men outlive Amish women, in part because of the high birth rate (average of 7 live births/woman). Abortion is forbidden by religious doctrine, even when the pregnancy is life-threatening. ^[4] The Amish are pacifists and conscientious objectors, basing this on Jesus' instruction that one should love one's enemy. They reject all forms of violence, including angry words or going to law.^[3]