Unit 4: Community
Witness
Please blog your response(s) to the movie, Witness, below by 8am Monday 1/8/18.
1. Are there communities, similar to the Amish, that they
intentionally choose to live apart from the mainstream society of the United States? What about in other countries?
2. What is the relationship of the individual to the community? Think about John Book's relationship to his community and then the Amish community. Think about the Lapp's relationship to their Amish community and "city life" community.
3. Does the individual impact the community or vice versa? Choose ONE side and use examples from the movie to support your answer.
1. Another community that separates themselves from the mainstream society of the United States are Native Americans. They live on reservations set aside by the U.S. government. Although the reservations are now more modernized, many natives try to preserve their culture. Furthermore, there are tribes through out the world who also avoid the modernized society. In fact, an amazonian tribe was discovered by researchers in 2008. When tribe saw the plane flying overhead, they shot arrows to try to take it down. They most likely felt threatened and did not want contact with anyone outside of their tribe.
ReplyDelete2. Communities are based on common interests and ideals. Therefore, the individual should act accordingly to the community' standards. In the movie, The Witness, John Book must conform to Amish community. This involves, embracing their clothing and way of life. However, John struggled to adjust to Amish community after leaving the city. When bullies disrespected the Amish on the road, John was told to let it be. Eli told John, "It's not our way." John responded by saying that it was his way and attacked the bullies. The "city life" community conflicted with the ideals of the Amish community.
3. The community has a significant impact on the individual. A community thrives on the similarities of its members. As a result, people must adjust their lifestyle in order to fit in. In the movie, John Books left the modernized world and lived in an Amish community. He was given Amish clothing and tasks such as milking cows. Moreover, when Rachel and Eli expressed their rejection of firearms, John willingly part with his gun. In addition, when Books first met Rachel and Eli, he took them out to eat hotdogs in the city. He began eating his hotdog immediately while Rachel and Samuel said their prayers. Later on in the movie, John assisted with the construction of a barn. When everyone sat down to eat he waited patiently until prayers were finished to begin eating. John was accepted into the Amish community as long as he followed and respected their ways.
1. With the thousands of years our world had to develop and become as modernized as our generation knows it to be today, very few Amish groups or others similar to it exist. However, one of the most famed other ones in the United States would have to be the Native Americans because of how incorporated it is into the education curriculum. They live off on reserves on their own, relying on nature to guide them along. In fact, they are not even as well off as the Amish in the movie seemed to be. They do not have many stable homes, especially with built-in kitchens and cabinets, but both groups similarly rely on only herbs and prayer to heal the sick. Another group very similar to the Amish are the Mennonites, also a Christian group, stationed in parts of the Netherlands.
ReplyDelete2. In communities, each participating individual must play his role in keeping up the strictly enforced traditions and beliefs. In The Witness, John Book had more freedom in his original community, but was bound mostly by the United State's set of laws. When he had come to the Amish community, their's was much more hidebound in their values, even to a visiting foreigner. He was never meant to stay, and yet as long as he was under their care, he had to live by their rules; dressing in their clothes, doing their work, and abstaining from violent tendencies and objects (his gun). But while the Lapps were in the city, Book's community, Rachel wanted nothing more than to go back home to her own peaceful life instead of being forced under their laws. For example, when she told Book he had no right to hold her and her son, but because of the city's laws, he actually did. In response, she said, "You don't understand. We want nothing to do with your laws." Because of how Book was much more flexible in his past life, he did not have as much difficulty changing than the Lapps did when coming to the city.
3. An individual's actions can greatly affect his community, but it will not directly alter it solely because they would not allow it to. Therefore, the community poses more of an influence over the individual. Whatever the individual chooses to do that is deemed wrong affects mostly his own standing in the community, such as when Rachel was caught dancing to radio music with Book. Her father had scolded her, saying, "You know there has been talk about going to the bishop and having you shunned." He also warned her to take it seriously, because in a community no sort of discrepancy in their usual order is tolerated nor taken lightly. The individual is consequently held stiff by his community, and can be disposed of just as easily.
1) There are many things in this world that have yet to be discovered, people included. Groups, such as the Amish, live traditionally and plainly because living in mainstream U.S. can be problematic. With the rapid technological advance in our societies, it will eventually be inevitable to live modernly. However, there are some groups in the U.S. and the world that live in seclusion. In the U.S., there are the Native Americans as well as a town, Green Bank, in West Virginia. They live under the government's restrictions but are still part of their own tribes with their own culture. In Green Bank, there is a sensitive telescope. The town barely has cell phone reception, much less any radioactive activities that may disturb the telescope. The residents live normally, just without the connection. In southeastern West Papua, there is a group of people who live on trees and very...bare so to say, called the Korowai. Living apart from mainstream societies lead a more tranquil life, as well as a closer relation to nature.
ReplyDelete2) An individual is bound by the laws of his or her community. If he or she goes against the order, he or she may be shamed, disgraced, or outcasted. That is why it is crucial to contribute and share common interests and beliefs. Yet, there are always exceptions to such rules in communities. In the movie, Rachel told Book that while he was at her house, he must respect the Amish ways. He gave up his gun and adorned Amish attire. However, he is still a city man. When he heads out with Eli, he asks for his gun back with all the bullets. Book was physically involved with tourists who were mocking Daniel. The Amish abstain from violence. As Book was not originally Amish, he went against that. Lastly, Book did not know that Rachel was not permitted carefree behavior when he danced with her to the car radio. Book's occupation as a city man overlaps with the Amish lifestyle. The woman he likes lives plainly, but the detective in him cannot ignore injustice.
3) A community, with its family-like bonds, impact the individual. Many are stronger than one. It is difficult to change what has already been established. A family sticks together like glue, but in the case of the Amish, they can easily disown someone. In the movie, Eli warned Rachel that the entire community will shun her, himself included, if she becomes too familiar with Book. When the officers raided the area to find Samuel, Samuel rung the bell. At the bell's beckon, the entire town showed up. Despite being an English man, the Amish community stood behind Book. Book must earn their trust for them to do such a thing. He knows he must return to the city life eventually. In the time he stayed with the Amish, he respected and adapted to their customs. For example, he had to wake up at 4:30 A.M. to milk cows, and travel by horse buggy to obtain access to a telephone. As a result, the Amish community eventually accepts him.
1. Culture represents a tree whose leaves are its people and its roots connects them to their homeland. No matter where the leaves might fly to, they will always belong to the branches of that tree. While some might feel the excitement to wander off and explore the world with its different traditions and lifestyles, there are groups and tribes across the United States that refuse to leave the tree of their ancestors. A tribe called “Surma” found in Southwestern Ethiopia lives a very different life from the one we live. Men’s worth is determined by how many cattle they own. Women prepare food which they cultivate from their fields and gardens.Unlike the Amish, the Surmas can be very violent as they have rituals in which they scar themselves to help their children get used to seeing blood and feeling pain. A tribe called Awa-Guajá moved from the eastern shore of Brazil to the Amazon forest due to Deforestation. They have a very strong connection to nature to the point where their women breastfeed their children and animals in nature. These tribes are threatened by modernization and social advancement.
ReplyDelete2. Community acts like the constitution, it limits the individual and keeps the order. John Book was greatly influenced by the Amish culture and community during his stay. Not only did he wear Amish attire, but he adapted to their customs such as waking up to milk cows and eliminating violence by giving up his gun. Although he temporarily took on their lifestyle, there were a few slips and cracks such as the time he responded to the tourist’s direspectful actions with anger and violence and when he danced with Rachel. In his community, he was not limited by hidebound culture or religion, he lived freely as long as he lived by the law. The Lapp family was deeply tied to their roots, they prayed before every meal,lived a simple lifestyle free of violence, and were deeply connected to their friends in the community.Rachel seemed hateful toward the city life. She despised the violence and believed they had no right to keep her son because she thought of their laws as silly. Rachel and the Amish community accepted him because he was impacted by their community and even John Book showed signs of adaption when he told Rachel that if they felt love, he would either stay or she would leave. That shows that Book was willing to commit to this lifestyle but he returned to the city life to fight injustice so perhaps the citizens of the city life can leave a peaceful life like the Amish.
3. Although an individual can impact his community and create change, the community has a much greater impact on its individuals. We are born into certain communities and “forced” to adapt to their customs. For example, Eli Lapp was very traditional and conservative because of the community he is so strongly grasping. He warned Rachel when he felt that she was drifting away from her roots because he fears that their culture and community will be demolished. Milking cows, the Amish attire,horse carriages, one public telephone in the entire area, the bell outside the house and the homemade jars of peaches (jam) are all examples of how the community takes an individual into its arms.
1. Amish communities separate themselves from society just like many other communities prevalent in history have and still do. Groups such as Quakers, Hutterites, and even Mennonites all serve lives similar to the Amish between religion, isolation from mainstream society, and by the phrase "separate, but together." In other countries, these groups inhabit their land as well. Old Order Amish and Amish Mennonites both derive from Amish culture which originated in Europe. Beachy Amish congregations exist throughout Ireland, Belgium, and even the Ukraine.
ReplyDelete2. The relationship of the individual to the community is properly demonstrated in the movie, Witness, starring Harrison Ford as John
Book. John Book is a Philadelphia police officer who gives back to his community as an authoritative figure and as an enforcer of the law.
However, when in the Amish community, he was able to contribute to the community by helping build the building, and even providing assistance on the farm. As part of the community, he was able to benefit and provide for his community just as much as they supported him in his time of need.
3. The community impacts the individual in my opinion. John Book was very hesitant and resistant towards the Amish community when he first met the Lapp's and visited their community. Moreover, over time he started to conform to the community's "norms" and to the way they lived and dressed. He began to wear their clothes, help in group projects such as building, and even helped on the farm with the animals. Before Book took part in the Amish community, he was a Philadelphia police officer. Not only did he resemble a selfish personality in the beginning of the movie to complete his own agenda, but it depleted as time went on in the Amish community. The character development of John Book in Witness gives an example of how the community impacts the individual.
1. There are communities in contemporary society that choose to live off the grid, free of technology, and modern influences that normally infiltrate our everyday life. Earthaven, for example, is an independent ecovillage in North carolina. Dedicated to maintaining a holistic, sustainable culture, Earthaven makes it a point to harmlessly integrate the natural environment and human development. Similar to the Amish community depicted in “Witness” Earthaven’s infrastructure relies on hard work and survival skills.This simple lifestyle is gaining global momentum. Across the pond In Tinker’s Bubble New England is a close knit community that uses environmentally sound methods of working that creates zero carbon footprint on the Earth. All of the houses are self built and the town is powered by solar panels. The self sufficient lifestyle is designed to create a utopia that is free of all corruption, negative influences, and harmful ideologies that can be found in modern society. Despite it’s divergence from traditional civilation it is gaining mainstream popularity. In a world where social status is determined by following trends and the latest style--those who breakaway from the bold are viewed as morally superior or “woke”.
ReplyDelete2. The relationship that one shares with its community can be described as blind loyalty and a mutual commitment. The community wants the individual to be so invested in it that loyalty will never weaken no matter what. To do so the community must cater to the needs of the individual to ensure this loyalty.The relationship between one and their community can be described as blind loyalty in that more often than not, regardless of what direction the community takes, the individual will support the community, similar to how siblings stand by each other through thick and thin. In a way, this blind allegiance can be credited to evolution. Evolution has proven that those who stick with their pack are more likely to survive than the lone wolf who chooses to rely on himself.
3. The individual impacts the community just as much as the community does the individual. It is the loyalty the community has embedded within the individual that keeps it strong. If one’s certainty in the community’s abilities wavers then it will cause a ripple like effect among the rest of the collective. Moreover, an individual can introduce new ideologies to the community and set a whole new standard for the future. Without the individual the power a community will weaken and ultimately cease to exist. The individual is the community’s sturdy foundation. Without it nothing can be built and with it, it will remain strong. As a foreigner in the Amish community John Book was unfamiliar with the Amish beliefs and practices. When Book brought his gun into Lapp farm he challenged the traditional beliefs the Amish held. Book’s individual influence on the community is seen when Samuel explains that he would only use a gun to shoot a bad person and his grandfather has to teach him that any use of a gun is unacceptable. Before Book came Samuel would have assured his grandfather that he would never use a gun for any reason but Book’s presence has influenced him to think otherwise.
1. Yes, there are communities that intentionally choose to live apart from mainstream society not just in the United States but all over the world. In the Amazon rainforest, there are communities of people who choose to live apart from the modern world who even kill any outsiders they see to keep their communities hidden. Some of these communities see the way that the modern world is living as sinful. In Witness, Samuel sees a sculpture of a naked woman holding a naked man which is something he would never see in his Amish community. The modern world is plagued with violence and some people feel it is better to live apart from it so that they do not become corrupted by the violence. In Witness, Samuel's grandpa, Eli, warns him about "the gun of the hand" and how its purpose is to take human life and that using it allows the bad into your heart and turns you into a bad man. People all over the world live in communities apart from mainstream society because they feel it is better for their well beings.
ReplyDelete2. The relationship of the individual to the community is a symbiotic one. However, the type of symbiotic relationship it is differs with each individual and community. There are three main types of symbiotic relationships: mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism. The relationship is usually mutualism where both sides benefit from the relationship. The community can give the individual a home and somewhere that they feel they belong while the individual keeps the community alive and can bring a little more diversity and acceptance to it. In Witness, John and the Amish community benefited from each other. The Amish community saved John when he was in trouble--the gunshot wound, hiding from the corrupt cops, and the final standoff at the end of the movie--while John helped it with his carpentry skills and made it a little more accepting of the English. The relationship can be commensalism where one side benefits while the other side is unaffected. In Witness, the corrupt cops get recognition for doing a great job by their community but in actuality are just leaving the community just as bad as it was to begin with by just selling the drugs they took off the streets themselves. Finally, the relationship can also be parasitism where one side benefits while the other side is harmed. In Witness, the Amish are treated as tourist attractions by the bigger town community they are in. They bring in revenue to the town community but get harassed and even made fun of by the tourists and townsfolk. Also, in Witness, John is loyal to his cop community and makes it look better by doing his job of trying to stop criminals but it repays him with corrupt cops who kill his partner and almost kill him. The relationship between an individual and its community can be beneficial, ineffective, or harmful depending on the individual and the community.
3. The individual impacts the community. The individual can change a whole community if they try hard enough or even unintentionally. The individual can make a community more diverse and accepting and less corrupt. In Witness, John helped the Amish community to become a little more accepting of the English. He made them see that some "Yankees" are just as good of people as they are. The Amish let John help put up a barn for a newlywed couple which is a big deal in the Amish community. That shows that the Amish community was warming up to him and becoming more accepting of him. Also, when John kicked that jerk's butt who was harassing Daniel he probably made the tourists and townsfolk think twice about messing with the Amish. He probably helped the Amish community get less bullied by the outside town. In Witness, Samuel helped to take down three corrupt cops who were high in the ranks of the police force without even meaning to. He impacted the cop community and the city community by making it safer and less corrupt. The individual can impact the community greatly with their actions and attitude as shown by John and Samuel.
Yes there are communities similar to the Amish, intentionally choosing to live apart from the mainstream society of the United States. Many American Indian tribes to live off the grid without luxuries such as electricity. The mainstream society goes against the values of American Indians, such as using all parts of the animal rather than throwing away some pieces. American Indian cultures have the general dictum to preserve nature. Using majority of modern technology will go against this belief. There are also many off the grid tribes in Africa that refused to be recorded by the outside world.
ReplyDeleteThe relationship of the individual to the community is to present the morals and ideas of the community to the world. As an individual is it there job to present their community in the best light possible. For example, when John Book finds out his comrade is guilty of murder, Book has the integrity to fight and not back away from what he believes in. Book believes that the police force should not be corrupt, even if your close comrades are involved in the scandals. Lapp also portrays integrity welcoming John Book in the Amish community. Although majority of the elders disagreed with helping the english man, Lapp argued that Book has done nothing wrong to their community and not helping Book would be immoral. As the movie progressed Book proved to be respectful and understanding of the Amish community.
The individual impacts the community. Without the individual there will be no representation of the community. There would be no community without individuals. In the Amish community, it was not a single person who built the house but the entire town- everyone had a part whether it being cutting the wood or preparing the refreshments. Towards the end of the movie, the town was also able to stop the guilty policeman from escaping. With the teamwork of individuals the community became powerful, leaving the policeman defenseless.
1. There are many communities that isolate themselves off from modern society and the US. They are typically Native American tribes or people who deliberately do not live with the modern world. They refuse to use technology or any modern inventions. These types of societies have been portrayed in movies, such as "The Village." Religious orders such as Scientology and cults are more worldwide and separate themselves with their ideology and secrecy.In the US, the Amish is by far the most well-known society that deliberately cuts itself off and is depicted in the movie. Other societies that follow these traditional values include the Mennonites and Native Americans.
ReplyDelete2. Communities are able to function by individuals doing their part to improve their living standards. They allow societal rules to be established and dictate "norms" in different communities. In "Witness" John Book is a symbol of modern society for the Amish community. John Book was from New York, so he was not used to living by the rules of the Amish. When he was taken in by Rachel, he had to live in her community, so he had to abide by her pre-established rules. Because of the effect of the community he was in, he had to dress like the Amish, let go of his violent ways, and remove himself from his normal environment. Book was a police officer, so his "city life" and modern customs differed wildly from the Amish way if life. Eventually he learned to help them with labor such as buildings and livestock and proved to be an important asset in the Lapp family.
3. The community has an profound impact on the individual. Communities work best when uniformity is enforced, and this is proven with Book's assimilation into the Amish community. In New York, he was a cop, and was in quite a corrupt environment. Before, he was arrogant, rude to his sister and family, and believed he was the best policemen. He attacked people when he had to, used modern tools such as guns and cars in his investigation, and wore formal city clothing. When he went undercover with the Amish, he was forced to change his habits. With the Amish, he has to give up usage of his gun, do what they asked such as milking cows, and help with raising up a barn. Specifically, Book had to change out of his regular clothes and rid himself of his gun once he entered their community. The Amish influenced him to partake in their traditions to be accepted, and therefore, their community definitely impacted the individual.
ReplyDelete1. With the rapid deforestation and industrialization happening in America, off the grid communities choose to go back to their roots by sustaining themselves with natural resources. By abandoning technology, sewage systems, and equipment, these communities lack the luxuries found in American society. For instance, without the convenience of grocery stores and sewage systems, off the grid communities have little access to safe drinking water It is practical to collect rainwater since it is provided from the earth and safe for consumption, yet many states that are home to off the grid communities make it illegal to collect rainwater. Big businesses want to preserve their market by making it illegal to take from the earth and monopolizing a natural resource, which results in residents being prosecuted for using the Earth instead of purchasing from larger companies. Communities who stray away from the government to practice this lifestyle find it difficult to escape the capitalist American society. Alike these off the grid residents, the Sentinelese located on an island in the Indian Ocean despise contact from foreigners. They are shown to be violent towards those who draw close to their territory. People have since given up contact with the Sentinelese tribe due to their violent nature and numerous records of murders behind contact attempts. These two communities; the american societal recluses and the Sentinelese tribe avoid the government and modern society and live to preserve their lifestyle and culture.
2. I believe that an individuals within a community respect the same laws to ensure an efficient and homogenous lifestyle. John Book’s police community is split; his job as a policeman is to stop corruption in the city, and within the police force. John had went against the laws of the police force by exposing their sins as officers. The ill-will between John Book and the corrupt policemen caused Book to flee to the Amish community. Book was an outcast in the quaint community; the residents were tame and lived a simplistic lifestyle whereas Book was accustomed to violence and lived in the city. John Book is a member of these two communities however he is unattached because of his personality. The Lapp family lives comfortably within the Amish community. By participating in local events and sharing responsibilities in the community they are active Amish residents. Yet, Rachel Lapp is reprimanded for loving an Englishman, especially one who wields a gun. Rachel had violated the rules of her community and can be rejected by other members. When the Lapp family stepped foot in the “city life” community, people commented on their appearance. The Amish community receives unwanted attention from their old fashioned clothing and religious beliefs, as shown in the tourist attractions and the station in Philadelphia. City residents disparage the Amish for their outdated lifestyle— because they break the normalcy in the American society.
3. The community impacts the individual to help improve their life in the community. Rumors of Rachel Lapp’s forbidden love with John Book has circulated through the Amish community. If the relationship had escalated further, the other residents would have shunned her as a consequence of going against the Amish rule. By openly denouncing her actions, the members hope to preserve their homogeneous Amish community. Other residents impacts the individual to make choices that are socially acceptable, and in this case Rachel was told to absolve her relationship with Book. Book had to change his ways within the community to seem favorable to the residents. By holding back his aggressive nature and adopting the simplistic lifestyle, he had turned into an accepted member of the Amish community. During the barn raising, his handiwork was praised by the other residents, proving himself worthy in the community. The skepticism behind his presence was gone as soon as Book had changed his lifestyle in respects to the Amish community.
1.) Communities that are similar to the Amish do exist in the United States, however, they are rather rare to find. The Amish isolate themselves from ongoing national news and society problems in favor to support their own kind. Similarly, Jehovah's Witnesses seclude seclude themselves from mainstream society. People in this group chooses not participate in celebrations such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, Fourth of July, and other major holidays. Moreover, they do not partake in voting and government work. Like the Amish, Jehovah's Witnesses dedicate their lives to Christianity and community relationships. Around the world, there are many tribes that are isolated from the technological world. The Inuit people live in snowy tundras far away from civilization. The lifestyles they live are simple hunting and gathering, similar to our prehistoric ancestors. The Inuits do possess some modern leisures like snowmobiles and are familiar with trading in cities. Fortunately, most of its members live in peaceful solitude away from the global issues mankind has to offer.
ReplyDelete2.) An individual’s relationship with their community depends on the amount of effort they put to help their community and meeting the general standards the community expects. Regardless of where someone lives, respect in a community is earned, not given. To earn that respect, it is important to contribute your time and hard work to benefit your community. The Amish’s initial feelings towards Book was hostile and they would rather have him leave their village. Due to inconvenient circumstances, Book has to stay with the Amish to protect Samuel. So long as Book is with the Amish, he must learn to adapt with their lifestyles. Eventually, Book earns the trust of the Amish through his hard work and selflessness. The movie also explores the contrasts between Modern and Amish beliefs. Scenes such as Samuel’s introduction to the gun demonstrates the different nature between “city life” and Amish life. The Amish believe that the gun is a forbidden within their community and that life is sacred. Samuel learns that killing is okay if the person is “bad”.
3.) I believe that the community impacts the individual, especially in this movie. An individual’s thoughts, beliefs, and opinions have been influenced by their community in some shape or form. Rachel’s character is an example of a person against their community. After Rachel’s husband’s death, she faces doubt of living the Amish life and seeks advice from her sister in Baltimore. Rachel is pressured by her community to follow their strict beliefs. When Rachel develops romantic feelings towards Book, an outsider, she fears that she will be shunned and disowned by her community. Moreover, she is given warnings of the consequences she will face by Eli. Rachel has to face a conflict between choosing her own desires or following the customs of her community.
1) There are communities in the US and other countries that isolate themselves from society. As read in our textbooks, a well-known group would be the Native American tribes. Native Americans live on reservations that under the control and protection of the US government. Similar to the Amish, Native Americans are able to uphold their traditions and culture on these reserves. They are able to do so without the distraction of modern society. Another group of people who stray away from modern society is a group called the Yanomami. They live in the Amazon and have a very simple lifestyle. Other communities are not well-known because they tend to be hostile to outsiders.
ReplyDelete2) Every community has certain laws that individuals must follow and uphold. Furthermore, trust is another factor in communities that must be earned between other individuals. In the movie, Witness, John Book lived in the city of Philadelphia as a police officer/detective. Naturally, in America, Book had much more freedom and was able to utilize modern technology. Upon arriving to the Amish community, Book was given Amish clothes, certain tasks, and followed their beliefs during his time of away from the city. Because the Amish are a non-violent community, Book must give up his gun. In the beginning, Rachel's father was wary about Book. However, as they spend more time together, he acknowledged Book as one of their own. Unlike Book, Rachel did not desire to follow the laws of our society and intended to go back to her community immediately.
3) Based on the movie, the community heavily impacts the individual. Because John Books was from the city and considered an English man, other in the Amish community were hesitant to trust him. During the movie, Book was able to to fix his radio and invited Rachel to dance with him along to the music. Rachel's father was furious to see his daughter dancing along to such music ,and scolded her for dancing with the outsider. In the end, as Samuel rang the bell, the entire community was aware of the danger. Because the entire community supports one another, people began to rush to the household to help Rachel and Book.
1. In the United States, the Amish are unique in their ascetic ways, cutting themselves off from the pleasure and convenience that modern life has to offer. Native American tribes are similar in a way to the Amish as they live on privately sanctioned land. This land is not subject to the laws of "modern men." The Mormons in the early 1800s had traveled west to Utah to establish their own country in a sense. Joseph Smith and his followers had established their own religious laws and had even fought with the US Army over territory. Although the Mormons are more institutionalized today, one can say they have their distinct culture, due to their beliefs on marriage, consumption of beverages, and their custom of embarking on a 2 year mission. The Native Americans, Amish, Mennonites, Ainu and Branch Davidians. All these communities share the common trait of being distinct from the majority of society, whether it be a religious or cultural definition.
ReplyDelete2. The relationship of the individual to the community in the terms of the Lapps is absolute obedience to Amish law. The entire culture of the Amish people exists due to their ascetic devotion to Jesus Christ, separating their livelihoods to strip hedonistic desires to submit to the Word of the Bible in a communal sense. A hidden aura of the "law" exists in Amish country due to the raising of children under it. Because this law is so deeply rooted in their society, the Lapps are held accountable as with other families in the Amish bubble. Breaking one of these laws is a crime punishable by "shunning", basically kicking an individual out of the community and are forbidden to return or meet family members. The modern world of John Book allows him to enjoy the liberty and freedom that all Americans enjoy: freedom of speech and pursuit of happiness. John Book is free to pursue his own life and enjoy all the pleasures the world has to offer. He is only accountable to his family, while the Amish are accountable before God and community.
3. The community exerts a profound influence on the individual. Especially in the case of the Amish people, conformity is survival. You must conform to biblical law or be branded as a rebel. Amish children are raised under the guise of their fathers and mothers, who teach them how to get by. Milking cattle, fixing a roof, fetching water, sowing, weeding, and carpentry are among the numerous skills that are used by the individual in order to sustain the community's old school lifestyle. The guise of Anabaptist ethics also influences the individual in the way of incorporating Christianity into everyday life. To rebel breaks down the conformity of the Amish. Their ultra-conservative ethics are the reason they had survived for this long.
ReplyDelete1. In the United States, the Amish are unique in their ascetic ways, cutting themselves off from the pleasure and convenience that modern life has to offer. Native American tribes are similar in a way to the Amish as they live on privately sanctioned land. This land is not subject to the laws of "modern men." The Mormons in the early 1800s had traveled west to Utah to establish their own country in a sense. Joseph Smith and his followers had established their own religious laws and had even fought with the US Army over territory. Although the Mormons are more institutionalized today, one can say they have their distinct culture, due to their beliefs on marriage, consumption of beverages, and their custom of embarking on a 2 year mission. The Native Americans, Amish, Mennonites, Ainu and Branch Davidians. All these communities share the common trait of being distinct from the majority of society, whether it be a religious or cultural definition.
2. The relationship of the individual to the community in the terms of the Lapps is absolute obedience to Amish law. The entire culture of the Amish people exists due to their ascetic devotion to Jesus Christ, separating their livelihoods to strip hedonistic desires to submit to the Word of the Bible in a communal sense. A hidden aura of the "law" exists in Amish country due to the raising of children under it. Because this law is so deeply rooted in their society, the Lapps are held accountable as with other families in the Amish bubble. Breaking one of these laws is a crime punishable by "shunning", basically kicking an individual out of the community and are forbidden to return or meet family members. The modern world of John Book allows him to enjoy the liberty and freedom that all Americans enjoy: freedom of speech and pursuit of happiness. John Book is free to pursue his own life and enjoy all the pleasures the world has to offer. He is only accountable to his family, while the Amish are accountable before God and community.
3. The community exerts a profound influence on the individual. Especially in the case of the Amish people, conformity is survival. You must conform to biblical law or be branded as a rebel. Amish children are raised under the guise of their fathers and mothers, who teach them how to get by. Milking cattle, fixing a roof, fetching water, sowing, weeding, and carpentry are among the numerous skills that are used by the individual in order to sustain the community's old school lifestyle. The guise of Anabaptist ethics also influences the individual in the way of incorporating Christianity into everyday life. To rebel breaks down the conformity of the Amish. Their ultra-conservative ethics are the reason they had survived for this long.