Abstract

This thesis is to explore the religious life of the Amish on the basic of Amish Grace. As a marginal culture in the United States, Amish catches people’s attention after the campus shooting, which actually explained their religious faith and showed their life guided by their religion. Their forgiveness from inside shocked the world. This paper put forward that their religious belief is the pursuit of peace and salvation, practicing as the Bible told. Living in an Arcadia of the United States, however, the "isolated life" under the leadership of their religious belief also makes their life some difficulties in the innovative modern society. Amish had demonstrated us through their activities that: the key for their success are their perseverance of protecting the core values of their religious group and the flexibility strategies. This is what makes their success. Their successful experiences made us clear that: the wisdom of life is not only a talent of minority, but also can be a tough cultural inheritance. So it is necessary for all of us to learn from their open mind to everyone, to learn how to take the place of hate by love and forgiveness. Strong will and flexible adaptations would bring us a better life.

Key Words:  Amish culture   Amish religion   religious life   forgiveness

摘 要

本文以《阿米什的恩典》一书为基础来探究阿米什人的宗教式生活。作为美国的一种边缘文化,阿米什文化只被一小部分人所了解，但是在一起校园枪击事件的发生后，阿米什人的宽容大度震惊了世界，让越来越多的人注意到了他们的存在。阿米什人对枪击事件的态度实际上是他们的宗教信仰及其领导下的宗教式生活的表现。本文认为他们的宗教信仰是追求和平和拯救世人，实践圣经的教导的追求。然而,在他们宗教信仰领导下的“与世隔绝”般的桃源生活也会给阿米什人们带来一些困难。阿米什人通过实践向我们证明了保护本宗教群体核心价值观的坚强毅力和应对社会变迁的灵活性是其得以持续繁荣、发展的关键。这也是他们能够长久立足的根本。他们的成功经验告诉我们: 生活的智慧不只是少数人的天赋，它也可以是一种坚韧的文化传承。坚强的毅力和灵活的变通会让我们拥有更好的生活。

关键词： 阿米什文化 阿米什宗教 宗教式生活 宽恕

1 Introduction 
The Amish are a very special group of Christianity in the United States and which is just like the American Arcadia in the modern society. They are famous for a simple way of life and people live there are called "the Plain People". They live in our modern society but reject all products and technology of contemporary society. Their simple conservative religious life and extraordinary generosity are closely related to their religious faith.