Growing Up Mennonite - Page 5

Evang.Benincasa · #41 10-30-2007, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

I suspect it is a misunderstanding of the doctrine of closed communion (which Amish and Mennonites practice) and the reconciliation process after willful transgression. It is not seen as the minister granting pardon for sins, but the interview and confession is to determine whether they now agree to abide by the Ordnung, and agree to forsake the way of transgression before being declared in good standing with the church. Some Apostolics practice this to a degree. Indeed i see some benefits to closed communion.

My friend is a Lutheran Pastor (Missouri Synod) and they practice closed communion as well. He would not serve communion to someone he knows drinks and drives. In that sense he is judging them fit/unfit for communion, but I don't think he would say they are assuredly damned.

A Brazilain organization by the name of "God is Love" has closed communion.

Trouvere · #42 10-30-2007, 10:23 PM

Brother Hoover,
Roman catholics have closed communion.If a person has ever been divorced
and remarried they are not allowed communion among other things.They are
treated as adulterous for life as long as the first spouse remains alive.

Dora · #43 10-30-2007, 11:12 PM

Steven,

Are you related to Phil Hoover? From Elkhart, IN?

Hoovie · #44 10-31-2007, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dora

Steven,

Are you related to Phil Hoover? From Elkhart, IN?

Not to my knowledge. I did know several former Mennonites-turned-Apostolic in the Elkhart/Goshen area, but not Phil that I recall.

I think you are the second person that has asked me that though.

ILG · #45 10-31-2007, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

I saw that too and it was quite troubling. It would be a mistake to think that video represented the majority of Amish youth. I would say perhaps 10 - 15% of the Amish youth take their "Rumspringa" liberties to that extreme. The Old Order Mennonite youth practice this also to an even lessor degree.

The Devils Playground footage needs to be balanced with this story:

The Amish, A People of Preservation is a PBS award-winning documentary that includes Amish and Old Order Mennonite footage.

It is very accurate. And i would highly recommend this exclusive footage of Amish/Mennonite culture.

I suspect that it was only the more liberal kids that would allow the footage to be done. So, the bias would not entierly be the fault of the documentary makers.

ILG · #46 10-31-2007, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

I think it was primarily my mother who wanted to rejoin the Old Order Church.

I have very few regrets concerning the way I was raised.

Do you think if you had not gone to public school you may still be OOM? Do you regret going to public school? HOw many grades did you complete? (Sorry if you feel like you are in a fishbowl....but you asked for it!! LOL!

)

Why do you like the way you were raised? What were the blessings? What were the deprivations?

Emma Bontrager · #47 10-31-2007, 11:00 AM

I love being Amish because it is so quiet and peaceful. No TV, no radio, no such distractions from the world. I never have to worry about getting a job and deciding whether to raise my kids or work. My whole world is mapped out for me. I go to quiltings with my neighbors and if I get sick, I know I will be taken care of. If our barn burns down, our neighbors will help. Yes, I have many children, but they all help with the work and they are mostly good children. They have their moments. My biggest concern is that they will remain in the Amish faith. They do get tempted. Sometimes I am asked if I am tempted with worldly things and I say I am not. The drawbacks to the Amish faith are simply that since the Amish faith is based on family and church, if a woman's husband is not a gentle man, but harsh to his family, there is no escape. If the bishop is cruel, a family can move, but if the man of the house does not want to move the woman and children must stay. There is supposed to be a process for men who are cruel to their family, but abuse is shrouded in secrecy that it seldom works. The attitude is very similar to what the president of Iran said recently "We don't have homosexuals in Iran". Mostly, these types of sins are ignored and we don't believe we have them.

I think the Amish faith is wonderful in many, many ways. But for some, it may be a living hell. This is the opposing and sometimes conflicting feelings I have inside myself, concerning conservative churches in general.

(Since I am starting to post as Emma again now that the account is fixed, I will again write the disclaimer that Emma is ficticious, but I think she portrays the conflict of the conservative/liberal argument.)