tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29220694.post7695591472729653270..comments2023-06-09T06:43:24.953-04:00Comments on Parenting Expert Brenda Nixon: Brenda Nixon, Author and Speakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11052093071339488784noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29220694.post-60888267442156344892011-10-30T17:02:24.928-04:002011-10-30T17:02:24.928-04:00A religion or culture based on works and not on th...A religion or culture based on works and not on the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is headed for failure, of all kinds. God does not squelch our freedoms, but woos us to choose him out of love. A works-based religion is conditional love, not like God'sEdynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29220694.post-16269179984112942012011-10-24T07:40:36.359-04:002011-10-24T07:40:36.359-04:00If what I have heard is true Brenda, it would expl...If what I have heard is true Brenda, it would explain alot. I have heard that the Amish do not make profession of faith because that would be "vain". Have you ever heard this? Of course Scripture says "not by works less any man should boast". Good Article.Robert Bruce Fruehlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12989357502776106812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29220694.post-79417533464752536432011-10-23T22:03:57.317-04:002011-10-23T22:03:57.317-04:00As someone who has lived near Amish and Amish comm...As someone who has lived near Amish and Amish communities my entire life, I agree with Brenda that the Amish life, on the surface looks picture perfect and a life filled with tranquility. Not exactly true. Even though I tend to seek out some of the Amish made products and love the summer months when they have their roadside produce stands where I can buy "sweet potato squash" and other types of produce no one else seems to grow, I always wonder if the Amish think that we "english" are ignorant to their ways. Have you ever noticed how Amish children seldom smile, and seem awkward when they are spoken to by the English? I have to think that their parents influence them about the English - telling them that the English are someone that you sell goods to, but don't get in a conversation with them - "they might figure us out". Great Food for thought, Brenda!Lisa Tharpnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29220694.post-83079295739441210312011-10-22T17:47:40.577-04:002011-10-22T17:47:40.577-04:00My father is my best earthly friend, it is a must ...My father is my best earthly friend, it is a must have relationship. Children are raised as Godly children when parents truly nurture there children in a culture of family and love.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29220694.post-43673153135897559462011-10-21T11:17:26.506-04:002011-10-21T11:17:26.506-04:00Brenda: Your writings about the Amish value syste...Brenda: Your writings about the Amish value system were a real eye-opener to me. Like many, I accepted the romanticized view of this culture based on movies, lovely bucolic photos, and popular literature. I am disturbed by how some family members, especially young people, are treated with what I consider cruelty. I do understand that this is one segment of the community and do not want to paint everyone with the same paintbrush. Thank you Brenda, for opening up this issue for consideration and for reaching out to hurting individuals. This is a subject I will continue to follow.Teresianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29220694.post-6196362572923453982011-10-18T14:38:11.205-04:002011-10-18T14:38:11.205-04:00I agree, Brenda. With my family's work among t...I agree, Brenda. With my family's work among the former Amish, we, too, have seen the effects of a parenting choice that limits children's options to grow into the wonderful adults God created them to be. It becomes an uphill battle, once a young person leaves the Amish culture, to become productive citizens since so many opportunities that most American children have inherited simply by being born in America, have been stringently limited by the Amish communities they come from. Though many former Amish miss the farming lifestyle, they often do not miss the constant pressures to live the Amish life according to their local churches standards. There is good and bad among the Amish, as is true in every culture. It's best for the English reader to remember this the next time they are tempted to buy into the premise that ALL things Amish must be good. The simple life of the Amish turns out to be anything but simple once you scratch beneath the surface tranquility charmingly presented to the outside world. Balance of view should be respected in this culture, as in any culture.Dee Yoderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09496759876816112506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29220694.post-21759935085990659602011-10-18T11:14:52.597-04:002011-10-18T11:14:52.597-04:00I'm guessing that most people who read this ar...I'm guessing that most people who read this article will feel surprised and possibly even doubt what Brenda wrote is all true. However, consider that Brenda has been actively involved in reaching out to many of the ones who have left the Amish culture during the past 4-5 years. And as you can see, her eyes have been opened to the truths of what goes on in far too many Amish families.<br /><br />Rather than just ignore Brenda's knowledge and experiences, consider reading some of the testimonies that were written by those who left the Amish. Go to http://www.mapministry.org/news/letters-to-and-from-the-former-amish.<br /><br />It is also important to understand, not all Amish families can be placed in the same category. There are approximately 20 different sects, scattered throughout 30 states. These sects vary from extreme legalism to liberal. When I say liberal, I mean they drive cars and have phones and computers in their home. <br /><br />I would like to thank Brenda for taking the time to share some of the dark side of Amish life. What she writes in her blog will not be read in any of the bonnet books. Reason being, most of the fictional bonnet books are driven by money and what readers want to hear.<br /><br />Joe Keim<br />Executive Director, Mission to Amish PeopleJoe Keimhttp://www.mapministry.orgnoreply@blogger.com