The Amish continue to be a source of curiosity for millions of people who are fascinated by, and sometimes attracted to, their steadfast ways. The 2006 shootings at the schoolhouse in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania, heightened public interest in this unique people, and their extraordinary acts of compassion in the wake of that tragedy both inspired and puzzled many observers. The Amish themselves do little to satisfy this curiosity, and they trust very few outsiders to do it for them. In this follow-up to the bestselling Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy, Donald Kraybill, Steven Nolt, and DavidWeaver-Zercher shed further light on Amish life, this time on their faith and spiritual practices. The Amish Way interprets the distinctive practices of Amish spirituality in their cultural context and explores their relevance for the wider world. Drawing on interviews with Amish people, Amish publications, and firsthand experience in Amish communities, the authors tell the story of Amish religious experience with Amish voices and through their cultural lenses. In this thoughtful and sensitive book, the authors explain how Amish faith is intertwined with community and commitment, child rearing, home life, material possessions, the natural world, evil, and sorrow. The authors explore the complicated question, "Is there anything the Amish can teach the rest of us about living meaningfully in the modern world?" Written in a lively and engaging style, The Amish Way holds appeal for anyone who wants to learn more about the spiritual and religious impulse that energizes the Amish way of life. .

The Amish Way: Patient Faith in a Perilous World; Contents; Preface; One Braid, Three Strands; Patient Faith in a Perilous World; Looking Ahead; Part I: Searching for Amish Spirituality; Chapter 1: A Peculiar Way; A Homespun Scholar; Unwilling Warriors; A Church-First Businesswoman; A Reluctant Minister; A Self-Taught Artist; A Would-Be Violinist; A Retro Remodeler; A Family That Accepts Death; A Compassionate Community; A Peculiar People; Chapter 2: Spiritual Headwaters; Generic Christians?; Heretics and Infidels; Lingering Marks of Martyrdom; Amish Birth Pangs; Time-Tested Songs and Prayers.