Figure 1.-- There are substantial theological and life-style difference within the Anabaptist community. Some resist technology. Some Old Order Amish, for example, refuse to use electriity, telephones, cars, and even tractor. Others are more willing to use technology if there is a clear practical benefit. And on a farm, nothing could be more practical than a tractor. Here a Hutterite boy is driving a tractor to plow the fields of the colony. The Hutterites have a community of goods rather than private property like the Amish who have privately owned family fields.

Anabaptists are Protestant Christians who emerged on the radical wing of the Reformation in Europe during the 16th century. Some consider the Anabaptism as a religious movement which separated from Protesabtism, but more generally they are seen as a part of the Protestantism that emerged from the Reformation. The name Anabaptist comes from the Latin term 'anabaptista' meaning 'one who baptizes over again'. The names comes from the Anabaptist practice of re-baptizing converts who were already baptized in infancy, the most general Christian practice. Anabaptists believe that that baptismal candidates be able to make a confession of faith at an age that the individual has some understanding. This infant baptism was not recognized. The first Anabaptists did not like the name, arguing that since infant baptism was seen as invalid, converts wre not in fact rebaptizd. As aesult of their beliefs, especually their stand on baptism, both Catholics and Protestants Anabaptists were heavily persecuted (16th century and early 17th centuries). They were percecuted byvboth religious and civil authorities. Opposition to oaths and military service also resulted in persecution. As a result, Anabaptis fled their homelands (Switzerland and Germany) and sought refuge in areas where the establishe churches were weak. This commonly meant east to Poland and Russia and west to America. There is some diffeence as to what modern groups fall within the Anabaptist umbrella, but we would include the Amish, Bretheren, Hutterites, and Mennoites. There are a range of theological differences both between and within these different groups. As they often emigrated in groups, there is also an ethnic dimension to the various Anabaptist groups. Most are of German ethnicity. Some even speak a German dialect.

Anabatism

Anabaptists are Protestant Christians who emerged on the radical wing of the Reformation in Europe during the 16th century. Some consider the Anabaptism as a religious movement which separated from Protesantism, but more generally they are seen as a part of the Protestantism that emerged from the Reformation. The name Anabaptist comes from the Latin term 'anabaptista' meaning 'one who baptizes over again'. The names comes from the Anabaptist practice of re-baptizing converts who were already baptized in infancy, the most general Christian practice. Anabaptists believe that that baptismal candidates be able to make a confession of faith at an age that the individual has some understanding. This infant baptism was not recognized. The first Anabaptists didcnot like the name, arguing that since infant baptism was seen as invalid, converts wre not in fact rebaptizd. As aesult of their beliefs, especually their stand on baptism, both Catholics and Protestahts Anabaptists were heavily persecuted (16th century and early 17th centuries). They were percecuted byvboth religious and civil authorities. Opposition to oaths and military service also resulted in persecution.

Migration

As a result, of the prosecution Anabaptis fled their homelands (Switzerland and Germany) and sought refuge in areas where the established churches(Catholic abd Orotestant) were weak. This commonly meant east to Poland and Russia and west to America. The Orthodic Church in Russia was tolerant because the Ababaptish churches were not evagelical. They lived in their own tight communities and did not prostelize, And the Tsarist state exempted them from military service. Some Anabaptists left Russia when Alexander II launched a Russification program. Others managed to leave after World War I beforecStalin seized control of the state. The British colonies/United States were strongly Protestant, but at a fairly early point adopted a spirit of toleration for Protestant sects.

Anabaptist Groups

There is some difference as to what modern groups fall within the Anabaptist umbrella, but we would include the Amish, Bretheren, Hutterites, and Mennoites. There are a range of theological differences both between and within these different groups. As they often emigrated in groups, there islso an ethnic dimension to the various Anabaptist groups. Most are of German ethnicity. Some even speak a German dialect. The United States has the largest modern and most popular population of Anabaptists in the world primarily of the Constitutional protections for religious freedom and diversity. This occured at a earlier in America than Europe and is part of American excptionalism. Many American Anabaptists came from the most repressive countries in history. Many came from Tsarist Russia. And those who managed to escape the Tsarfound them selves in the clutches of Stalin and his totalitarian state. The major problem in America for these groups has proven to be not Government interference and untrusiona , but rather the attractions of freedom that draws members away from the various Anabaptist groups. It is very difficult for the hose and buggy tocompete with television and cellphones. This is one reason whu several communities have made compromises and mosed away the Old Order tital rejection of modrn society.

Sources

Created: 6:50 AM 2/21/2012
Last updated: 6:50 AM 2/21/2012