They are also called Old Order Amish. The Amish teach separation from the world. Members are forbidden to go to war, swear oaths, or hold public offices. Their doctrine requires farming and personal simplicity as a way of life. Men wear beards and wide-brimmed hats, and women wear plain long dresses and bonnets.
Members meet in their homes every two weeks for worship.
They limit education to the eighth grade. The Amish were named for Jacob Ammann, who led them in breaking away from the Swiss Mennonites in the 1690's because of disagreements over church discipline. They probably first came to North America in 1727. Today, they live in farm communities in 23 states and in Ontario. Their largest communities are found in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Iowa, and Illinois.