From: The Encyclopedia of Canada's Peoples/Amish/Orland Gingerich
Although the Amish have been exclusive in matters of religion and have emphasized separation from the world, they have been tolerant towards other persuasions. The fact that in Ontario most of their non-Amish neighbours were from the same ethnocultural background and area of Europe has made for good community relations. Their philosophy is one of “live and let live”; consequently, they have experienced little discrimination in their communities. Their willingness to help others in need regardless of race, colour, or creed is proverbial and is expressed not only in their local communities but also in their participation in the Mennonite Disaster Service.
For the Old Order Amish, community boundaries are maintained by strict church discipline and the use of the “ban” (or “shunning”). This form of social ostracism is applied until deviant behaviour is acknowledged and forsaken. Both peer pressure and a considerable cultural gap, which young and old alike find difficult to cross, reinforce group cohesion. Because of the strong emphasis on congregational church governance, there are often differences in accommodation to change among the Old Order congregations. On the whole, however, Old Order Amish continue to demonstrate the viability of a lifestyle not enslaved to modern technology or dependent on government hand-outs.
Until the 1930s conference Amish had continued to follow traditional patterns of worship, including the use of the German language. After World War II, however, acculturation in conference congregations greatly increased, and restrictions on distinctive dress, modes of transportation, and other modern technology have been relaxed. Other factors that have promoted increased acculturation in the post-war era were urbanization and the ever-greater number of more educated members and younger, seminary-trained ministers. Involvement in Christian education and in mission and service programs have called for greater lay participation, with women in particular taking a more active role in leadership at both congregational and conference levels. There has also been more participation in ecumenical activity.
