Their radical beliefs in strict discipleship and the emulation of Christ s purity in everyday life were viewed suspiciously by the Catholics and Protestants. Like many other religious groups, the Anabaptists finally fled their German homelands to settle in a more peaceful America. But like any religious organization, various interpretations of the scriptures led to the formation of distinct Anabaptist groups that now include the Church of the Brethren, Brethren in Christ, Hutterites, the Amish, and the Mennonites. All of these groups are well represented in the States with the Mennonites being particularly strong in the farmlands stretching from Pennsylvania to Iowa. The Old Order Mennonites are similar in appearance to the well-known Amish.
Men wear no neckties or buttons on their clothes.
Women wear long skirts and small bonnets, and tie their hair in buns. Neither men nor women wear wedding rings or jewelry of any sort. Old Order Mennonites are strongly attached to the land, most being in the dairy and farming business. Children do not attend school past the eighth grade with continuing religious and agricultural education left to the community elders. Conservative Mennonites have shed many of the restrictions of the Old Order.