Simplicity and plain living

What it is: Amish simplicity involves modesty, plain dress, material restraint, and distrust of ostentation.

How the tradition understands it: Simple life is treated as expression of humility, separation from pride, discipline of desires, and reinforcement of community equality.

Basis and context: This practice was formed from the Anabaptist heritage of nonconformity and from the concern to avoid vanity and social competition.

Debates and variations: The concrete form of dressing, building houses, and consuming goods varies between branches and places.

Supportive

Donald B. Kraybill, The Riddle of Amish Culture

amish,kraybill,culture,technology

Classic study on Amish culture, social order, and religion.

Reference: Donald B. Kraybill, The Riddle of Amish Culture.
Content: The work analyzes simplicity, technology, authority, family, economy, and social logic of the Amish tradition.
Use in debate: One of the most used academic references to describe contemporary Amish life.

Matthew 19:21

amish,bible,simplicity,detachment

Text associated with detachment and caution before wealth and prestige.

Reference: Matthew 19:21.
Content: Jesus calls the rich man to radical detachment and following.
Use in debate: Used in reflections on simplicity, humility, and critique of material attachment.

Philippians 2:1-8

amish,bible,gelassenheit,humility

Humility and service according to the example of Christ.

Reference: Philippians 2:1-8.
Content: Paul exhorts to humility and service according to the example of Christ.
Use in debate: Important text for Gelassenheit, humility, and meekness.

Romans 12:1-2

amish,bible,separation-world,ethics

Non-conformity with the world and transformation of the mind.

Reference: Romans 12:1-2.
Content: Paul calls to a transformed life and non-conformity with the present world.
Use in debate: One of the key passages for separation from the world and ethical sobriety.