Abstract:
The concept of religious conservatism is related to the faith of the Anabaptists in early
16Ih century Switzerland, Germany and Holland as developed by the Swiss Brethren,
maintained and developed by the Mennonites and Amish in Europe and thence into
the USA, especially in Pennsylvania.
Tenets of the faith are revealed in these peoples' actualised theology as they have long
unyoked themselves from the outside world and formed a free church. The continuity
of the faith is traced through a number of Confessions of Faith since 1527.
The purity of the redemptive community is ensured by the order or 'ordnung' and its
demands are known to those undergoing adult baptism. Different interpretations of the
ordnung and the strictness of the ban on sinners have resulted in schisms since Menno
Simons and Jacob Ammann. The faith has remained firm in spite of schisms also
resulting from reactions to technological changes and pressures from the outside
world.
Conservative attitudes are revealed in these groups' old-fashioned distinctive simple
clothing, hair, beards, head covering and transport. Pacifism and 'gelassenheit', the
yielding to God's Will and that of the congregation, add to this distinctiveness and
conservatism.
The great number of schisms among the Mennonites reveal differences in imposing
the 'ban', shunning (or meidung) or excommunication and the degrees of rejection of
contemporary material changes (e.g. automobiles, telephones, mains electricity). The
most conservative are the 'Old Orders'.
The selection of ministers (by the 'lot') and their roles are examined and continuity is
emphasised by the practice of feet washing (insisted by Arnrnann) and singing hymns
from a mid- 16th century hymnal, the Ausbund.
Numerous references from the New Testament are quoted in justification of their
religious beliefs within an actualised theology and the relationship between
congregations and baptised believers is also addressed in some detail.
Their possible future as religious groups may be conjectural in a world so inimical to
so many of their beliefs. They remain a powerful witness to His word in spite of their
small numbers. Observations of and conversations with many of these people over the
past thirty years confirm their personal characteristics outlined in the thesis.
Through their religious beliefs, their actualised theology and steadfastness in living
their beliefs, they can contribute an understanding of the contemporary world by
offering their religious conservatism as exemplifying their belief in witnessing a
comer of God's Kingdom. The underlying paradoxes in their lives must, however, be
fully appreciated.
The thesis is that the nature of their long-held beliefs, discipline and gelassenheit
brings fulfilment and a witness to the outside world. Their steadfastness makes
acceptable the many paradoxes in their lives, reflecting a need to react constantly to
outside pressures without undermining the faith.
