Question of the Day

[asterroc]

Do Amish vote? What if the polling booth employs technology, such as scanning bubble forms, flipping switches, or computer based? Are mailed ballots acceptable to them?

Comments

[sammka.livejournal.com]

Amish can use technology, in a pinch. They simply cannot own it. Therefore, if they need to, they can take the train, or a bus. They generally don't take planes because they are too expensive, I think, and they don't believe in spending money on fancy things that go fast when they could spend less money on less-fancy things that go slow. The avoidance of technology isn't because there's something dirty about technology, but because they want to live as humbly and simply as possible.

The Amish can wear clothing that was made in factories. They can use money that was made in high-tech mints. They can even use pay phones, if they need to. If they are hurt they will gladly accept rides in the ambulance. To get state ID cards they will happily go to the DMV/whatever and have someone take a photograph of them and issue them a fancy holographic card.

That said I have heard that the Amish avoid politics. I'm not sure if that's true.

[zandperl.livejournal.com]

Hm, it would make sense to me that if they're into living simply, they would find no need for politics unless it were to interfere with their simple personal lifestyle. They certainly don't go about imposing their beliefs on others, unlike some other religions/denominations we can both name.