During the Reformation in sixteen-century Europe, Luther and Calvin promoted the concepts of individual freedom and the priesthood of all believers. In what has been called "the radical reformation", some religious reformers took these beliefs to their logical conclusion; they preached that the believer should separate himself from all secular activities. One of the largest groups, the Anabaptists promoted baptism during adulthood after confession of faith, instead of during infancy, total separation of religion and state, and worship services in the home rather than at church. The religious movements that they founded are called "free churches" as contrasted to the state churches that were normal for the time. Their groups were simple associations of adult Christians. Most of them were wiped out in wars or programs of genocide organized by various governments an

The Amish people are descendants of the Anabaptist tradition. The Anabaptists eventually split into three groups, the Mennonites of Dutch and Prussian origin, the Hutterian Brethren of Austria, and the Swiss Brethren. The Mennonites are named after Menno Simmons, a Dutch Anabaptist leader. They were severely persecuted and fled to Switzerland and other more remote areas of Europe. The Amish are named after their founder Jakob Amman, who decided to split off from the Swiss Brethren during the late seventeenth-century. Amman based his beliefs and practices on the writings of Simmons and on the 1632 Mennonite Dordrecht Confession of Faith. These divisions did not occur due to differences in fundamental beliefs, but instead over conforming to certain ecclesiastical traditions, including having males grow beards after marriage, strict dress codes, the practice of foot washing, and living by duty, honor, and personal loyalty. The main point of contention between the Amish and the Anabaptists involved the exercise of Meidung, which translates as to shun or excommunicate. The Anabaptist faith maintains that only the pure should be involved in religion; if any member were to fall into sinful action, he should be excommunicated and shunned. The latter custom is based on the discipline of fellow believers as described in Matthew 18:15-17. "Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and tell him alone...But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more...And if he shall neglect to hear them, then tell it onto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican."

The Amish society is intent on keeping the outside world out of their lives. They choose to keep their lives simple and examine change very carefully before implementing it. Although some splinter groups have adopted more progressive practices, the Old Order Amish, the largest group, follow rigorous traditions. Couples who plan to marry announce their intent in late Octobe

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1383
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)