Curious about how the Amish stay informed in their close-knit, technology-restricted communities? Let’s explore how the Amish people receive and share news without modern technology.
Do the Amish Read Newspapers?
The Amish don’t read mainstream newspapers as we do. They avoid modern technology, so you won’t find them browsing news websites or watching TV.
Most Amish people do stay informed about the news, even though they don’t use modern media. They often hear about major stories from neighbors, friends, or taxi drivers or read Amish newspapers.
They prefer to get their news from special publications made for the Amish community .
Many Amish read one or both of the popular Amish newspapers, The Budget and Die Botschaft.
The Budget is a newspaper written by and for various plain Anabaptist Christian communities, including the Amish, Amish Mennonite, Beachy Amish, Mennonite, and Brethren groups.
It has two editions, one for local news and another for national news, but the local edition includes the national edition.
Its content comes from people known as Scribes in these different Anabaptist communities from all over the world. The Scribes write about events like baptisms, weddings, births, and funerals, as well as other community happenings, church and school events, and even personal updates.
The Amish aren’t big on politics or celebrity gossip, but they are quite enthusiastic about reading news related to their hobbies, interests, or anything happening within their own community.
They prefer news that directly connects to their way of life and the people they know, making it more relevant and engaging for them.
That’s why The Connection is so popular among the Amish.
The Connection is a monthly magazine where you’ll find articles written by Amish columnists from different states. They cover a range of topics, from farming and cooking to health practices, personal life experiences, and spiritual reflections.
Die Botschaft, which means “The Messenger” in Pennsylvania Dutch, is a weekly newspaper that serves as a correspondent for Amish communities all over the country.
Some Amish who are more open to modern influences might occasionally read a local non-Amish newspaper, but they do it selectively.
They skip topics like professional sports and politics and focus on news that directly relates to their community or could impact their way of life.