Religious Castoffs Cut Off the Hair & Beards of Their Fellow Amish
- Posted on October 6, 2011 at 8:13pm by
Billy Hallowell
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STEUBENVILLE, Ohio (The Blaze/AP) — A group of religious castoffs has been attacking fellow Amish, cutting off their hair and beards in an apparent feud over spiritual differences, a sheriff in eastern Ohio said Thursday.
No charges have been filed, but several victims suffered minor injuries, Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla said. The investigation has been hampered by the traditional reluctance of Amish to turn to law enforcement.
Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla (Image Credit: Daily Mail)
Men and sometimes women from a group of Jefferson County families disavowed by mainstream Amish have terrorized a half-dozen or more fellow Amish, cutting the beards off men and the hair off men and women, the sheriff said. The attacks occurred over the past three weeks in Carroll, Holmes, Jefferson and Trumbull counties, which form the heart of Ohio’s Amish population, one of the nation’s largest.
The Daily Mail expounds upon this information, writing that there were “reports of groups of Amish men yanking victims out of their homes by their beards or bursting into their homes and attacking them with scissors.”
In a more specific report, 27 men purportedly stormed into a home in Holmes County, where they cut the hair off of men and women, alike. This “gang” of men also cut the beards off of the men.
Abdalla said the motive may be related to unspecified religious differences involving 18 Amish families, 17 of them related, who have drawn previous attention from law enforcement, including a threat against the sheriff and a relative convicted of sexual contact with a minor.
Cutting the hair and beards apparently was meant to be degrading and insulting, the sheriff said.
It’s common practice for married Amish to have beards, Donald Kraybill, a professor at Elizabethtown College and an expert on Amish life, said in an email to The Associated Press.
“Likewise, women do not cut their hair based on biblical teaching,” he told The Associated Press in an email.
Messages were left for the other three sheriffs.
No contact number could be found in court records for the sex offender or in phone listings for his family members. The Amish often shun modern conveniences as matter of spiritual principle.
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Comments (103)
dontbotherme
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 10:53pmThis is an act of terrorism. Think about it. 27 men stormed into a house & attacked the occupants. They cut off the men’s beards & the hair of the men & women. This is a brutal attack on Religious beliefs. One has to ask who these men are. This is not the Amish way. This is not the first story on the Blaze about an attack on the Amish (I think the other group was Amish too). What is going on? I fear that evil is on the move. I pray that these victims will learn, with God’s help & blessings, to trust in the authorities and get help for their own safety & that of their children.
Report Post »Nathaniel Horn
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 12:55amAmish gangs? Now I know that we are insane. What is happening to us? Is the whole fracking world going stark raving mad or is it just the US? Marxists in the white house. Politicians can’t make a rational decision to save their lives. Half of the population don’t know their a$$es from a hole in the ground. Financial ruination simply from bad judgment. This is not even America any more. Will the rational (if there are any left) people win in the end or we just on a hot rail to hell? God, food, guns and survival gear. That’s all I believe in now…
Report Post »V-MAN MACE
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 1:10amWhen the Amish start flipping out…all I can say is…
Uh oh.
Those torches and pitchforks kinda people are stirring…
Report Post »revel222
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 3:32amBeware of media hyping with this story!!! If this was an act of a sex offender, I agree that it should have been reported to authorities but within their community, it would seem that cutting off the beard is one of their first consequences. It was probably the elders. I have to say that the consequences would’ve been greater than cutting off a beard if this happened to my kid. Be careful not to judge too harshly when you are so far away from the situation! The amish are peace loving people who have some odd community rules that still exist. Beware of falling into the governments plans and hopes to change the Amish community. It would not be a good thing. I have noticed a lot more negative information flying around about the Amish. I believe it’s part of the master plan. Lately, we are encouraged to live more self sufficient…with storing and canning food, being thrifty and growing our own food. We are encouraged to stay true to our faith and know which side to stand with…get our finances in order. Guess what…the Amish are already doing this. They know exactly where they stand and they are fully self-sufficient. They are no different than you or me. You choose to live one way and they choose to live another. Keep your judgements in check!
Report Post »louise
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 7:57amRevel222,
Report Post »Good comments.
We are in Amish country often and do business there. This sect within the Amish was excommunicated. Knowing the Amish like I do, this is not terrorism as someone suggested. This is old-fashioned revenge that is born out of being humiliated.
We love the Amish people. If you want a lesson in loving your neighbor as yourself, I wish for all of you to be able to witness a barn-raising. And I will tell you this much Blazers…when the shtf, the Amish will be able to go about their business like nothing happened.
Nathaniel Horn
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 11:23am@Louise
Well, it may not be that simple. They had better learn to fire a weapon. That’s probably just not going to happen so I hope that God will protect them but if it goes down hard like we think, there will be starving Zombies everywhere- for a time… The previously ‘entitled’, clueless Liberals, drug addicts and the simply black hearted opportunists who will choose to kill rather than to die will form ‘foraging’ (raping & pillaging) gangs and the only remedies for that are to hide or to fight with superior numbers &/or weapons. The Amish have the numbers which is good but without potent weapons, they may suffer grievous losses. I hope to be very wrong about all of this and to laugh about it in a few years, but… as time goes on it’s looking less and less like a joke… and more and more like a tragic satire on the stupidity and insanity of man.
Report Post »OhioGuy95
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 1:05pmYep. There is nothing more brutal than losing wanted body hair.
Report Post »bluegost
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 2:55pmGod protects His own. I’d rather face the cops anytime. To be in the shoes of any who mistreats the
Amish is not a good thing. Nonresistance is actually biblical.
Report Post »aurorawatcher
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 4:42pmThis is actually a reply to Nathaniel. I admire the Amish for their adherence to their religious and cultural beliefs (there is a difference here, read “Amish Grace” for details), but this family is evidence of the downside of Amish culture. They are a pretty closed breeding group, so if there are mental health problems in one family, it just becomes more and more concentrated. Bipolar disorder is a huge problem among their communities, for example. I don’t know what the answer is. I certainly would never tell the Amish to violate their faith, but it is a problem that should be acknowledged so that it can be dealt with … by the Amish themselves.
Report Post »Iron Kurtain
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 5:35pmAll i can picture is a bunch of Amish guys with round glasses and long beards donning leather jackets. I can see it now: A Amish man is walking down a deserted country road. He is spotted by 5 foul spirited Amish hooligans. Their gang leader approaches and tells the man on the road: “WE’VE COME FOR THE BEARD. WE’LL TAKE IT BY FORCE IF NECESSARY.” His fellow droogs proceed to draw their garden trowels and scavenged table legs. The gang gets a menacing look in their eyes. Its on. The leader pulls out his pair of gold plated scissors and brutally de-beards the man, then the group continue wandering down the road. Leaving the victim in shame…
Report Post »brian8793
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 10:52pmNot to many brothas are Amish, are they. I wonder if they allow black people?
Report Post »smileyjoy
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 11:24pmI think it’s more of a born into society. I’m sure they do let people join, I guess. Not sure.
Report Post »jb.kibs
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 2:17amyou would probably have to live with a family, if they even accept you, for awhile to be accepted into the community… http://amishamerica.com/so_you_want_to_/
they discourage outsiders from joining.
Report Post »kcares
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 3:17pmBrain, this is in responce to your statement that the Amish don’t pay taxes. They do.
Report Post »“Just like the rest of us, the Amish are not exempt from life’s two certainties — death and taxes. ”
The Amish live within self-sufficient communities and do not collect Social Security, unemployment, or welfare benefits. According to their religious beliefs, paying Social Security, an insurance premium for the elderly, is tantamount to not “taking care of their own.” Amish people who are self-employed are not obliged to pay Social Security tax, but they do still pay all other taxes, including property, income, and sales tax. If an Amish person decides to work outside of the community, he or she must also pay Social Security tax like any other American.
LOOK UP “DO THE AMISH PAY TAXES”
aurorawatcher
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 4:52pmI have a friend who was raised Amish and she says they do accept outsiders, but they advocate a go-slow approach on that. Being Amish isn’t like joining my Baptist church. Becoming a modern evangelical doesn’t mean giving up electricity and buttons on your clothes. Becoming Amish is a whole lifestyle change and most “English” (as they call us) aren’t prepared for that sort of commitment. My friend tells me, however, that (in her opinion) the Amish are much more accepting of outsiders than the outside world is accepting of them.
Report Post »imjmelin
Posted on October 8, 2011 at 9:50amYes, the Amish are very accepting of different races. Actually a lot of them adopt black or asian children. I have several amish relatives with black children. Anyone can join, as long as they adapt to the amish customs & church standards. My parents were amish until they were about 16 so i know what I’m talking about!
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 10:27pmWelcome, to AMISH FEUD!
Top 4 answers are on the board.
Name something you can cut off of your neighbor when you disagree.
LOL
Amish wars. The nation really is falling apart, when even pacifists attack other pacifists.
Report Post »BigFoot
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 10:23pmHeading to Tenn Saturday to visit some Amish friends. I’ll ask them about this rift. It is very unusual.
Report Post »brian8793
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 10:53pmTell them they need to start paying taxes or our military is going to tell Iran they can have em…
MeteoricLimbo
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 11:45pmAmana was taxed
Report Post »crookedcreek
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 12:37amAre you sure you want to start taxing legitimate religions?
This would leave only the cult religion of Eugenics as the state sponsored tax exempt religion. You know, Eugenics – Planned Parenthood, “kill the human weeds”, depopulate the earth because everyone but the super rich are evil . I don’t think we really want to go there.
Report Post »mach37
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 1:01pmBRIAN8793 – the Amish are not a drain on our taxes, they generally refuse handouts when forced on them. I’ll gladly pay for their military defense – which they would probably refuse.
Report Post »hogtrashhd
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 9:55pmlooks like some evil has crept in.. i think the amish let their kids try the outside world for a few years and let them decide if they want to come back or stay out in the world.. looks like someone came back with an evil heart and he’s convinced others to follow him.. sounds like a good thriller movie to me..
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 10:20pmNo, no evil has crept in. The fruit they have is the fruit they have had. It is that the light is getting divided according to the fruit people have had.
Report Post »spirited
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 11:53pmA real thriller
>like, “Children of The Corn” -yikes!
Report Post »PurrrpleMtnMajesty
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 9:22pmAnd just where in the bible does it say we can physically attack another Christian over spiritual differences?
Report Post »just sayin’
mils
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 9:29pmin their own perverted way they , the hair cutting gang,
Report Post »are acting like muslims
Thomas Paine
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 10:03pmThat’s a good question. As a Catholic I can sympathize with the Amish.
Report Post »AxelPhantom
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 9:17pmLet me guess these are the young people who have been shunned retaliting against their elders? Not all that different than some of the other stuff on the “outside” we are seeing. Very sad.
Report Post »slowride45
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 9:15pmI was born and raised Amish and just like any other group of people, the Amish have a few nutjobs among them. As a whole, they are what you see; wholesome, hard working and honest. I didn’t join the Amish church but have lots of family who have remained Amish. The Drudge Report story says the leader of the offending sect demanded they bring hair back to him as proof that his orders were carryed out. His name is Sam Mullet. Mullet? Hair? Just saying. He’s a kook on a power trip.
Report Post »BenInNY
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 9:40pmAlways amazes me, the ability of freaks to gain followers. Especially with a name like Mullet.
Report Post »sb36695
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 9:01pmIs it April 1st?
Report Post »Marine 1
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 8:59pmLeave your fellow Amish alone. That’s all they want. They are good, Chrisitan people. Go attack the Muslims if you want something constructive to do.
Report Post »brian8793
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 10:54pmMuslims at least pay taxes.
Report Post »smileyjoy
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 11:22pmThis is to the guy that’s stuck on the Amish not paying taxes. While I will agree that they should have to pay taxes, being citizens and all, I cannot begin to compare them to Muslims. Amish are peaceful and have not declared Jihad. They don’t want to kill the infidel. Muslims want to (have to) kill the infidel…that‘s everyone that doesn’t share their faith…
They don‘t pay taxes because everything they have belongs to the church and religious organizations don’t pay taxes. So, be angry with the people that claim to be Amish just to get out of paying taxes, not the Amish that are living their live according to their beliefs. Isn’t that their freedom?
Nothing warrants the horrible act of terrorizing their families!
Report Post »pamela kay
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 1:49amI agree with you. When things fall apart here the Amish will not suffer nearly as much as the rest of society. They live a simple and unselfish life and have proven to be capable of surviving without dependence on store boughten items which we consider everyday necessities. They could certainly teach us a thing or two. Several years ago here in Ohio a family lost everything in a house fire,. The Amish showed up with wagons, tools,suupplies and food and the family had a new house under roof in one day. Then each day they took turns and finished the home except for the electrical. Hand made cabinets and beautiful floors. The home that was lost had a third of the value. I hope they cooperate with the police and have these people who are responsible properly punished for these crimes.
Report Post »louise
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 8:04amPamela,
Report Post »Great post! Amen
Mia Cav
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 8:59amTo Pamela – thank you for sharing this story. Please send it and any other information on the houseraising to the Blaze staff in the scoop section. We need some “good times” stories with the “run away screaming in terror” stories.
Report Post »Libertybell2012
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 8:55pmANTIENCENOM…I never saw any acts of cruelty to their animals and they showed me how to get the eggs from the chickens..milk the cow and gave me a ride in their buggy..all the animals were healthy and fat. The house was clean and they smiled and joked a lot. I appreciated the time out there. Quiet and peaceful. AND not once did they preach at me about God.
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 9:01pm“AND not once did they preach at me about God.”
Yes. If the Amish have a flaw it is that. They ignore the Great Commission. Still, it is understandable due to their Swiss brethren Anabaptist roots.
Report Post »antiencenom
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 9:17pmI was about eight years old ,it was winter and nothing but Ic e .Eli was making his (Beautiful) horse run (Trott) and it lost it’s footing . Eli beat the living crap out of that horse .Very traumatic to an eight year old But one jackass don’t ruin the hole bunch
Report Post »TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 8:50pmDateline: Steubenville!!! Home of DEAN MARTIN. Cool!
Report Post »Speak without Fear
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 8:46pmI live in what is consider the Gateway to Amish country here in Ohio. Very sad to hear this.
Report Post »I.Gaspar
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 8:44pmIt appears that trumpka has a local amongst the Amish.
Report Post »War_Vet
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 8:43pmNew Program Idea for Barry: Department of the Amish .. that should create a job .. maybe two if they have a mail room.
Report Post »biglipnagger
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 8:41pmHow creepy would that be-like the old Stephen King story “children of the corn”
Report Post »Libertybell2012
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 8:40pmThis is really sad. Someone in my dads side of the family has a farm in PA and they have Amish people living there beside them and they are the kindest and most giving people. I remember going there to visit and was always treated with kindness and respect. I can’t believe they are being attacked now too. They work hard and ask very little in return.
Report Post »antiencenom
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 8:45pmThank you liberty bell ….although I have witnessed cruelty to their animals
Report Post »brickmoon
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 8:40pmNext thing you know they’ll be tweeting nasty stuff about each other on their iPhones. (Laugheth Out Loud)
Report Post »Exrepublisheep
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 9:13pmFunny!
Report Post »palerider54
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 8:40pmclip clop clip clop clip clop clip clop===snip snip snip====clip clop clip clop clip clop.
What you would hear in an Amish drive by hair clipping.
Next thing you know they will be having gang fights between the Amish and the Mennonite youth.
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 10:33pmI don’t care WHO you are, that’s funny, right there!
LOL
Report Post »dogday
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 12:41amHave to agree–politically incorrect, but VERY funny!!
Report Post »jb.kibs
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 2:22amrofl. good 1.
Report Post »antiencenom
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 8:38pmThe Amish just want to live in peace just like some of us
Report Post »Libertyluvnmomma
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 9:43pmbut they won’t protect that right.
Report Post »antiencenom
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 10:17pmSo they will die like the rest I suppose …there is only so much you can do for somebody
Report Post »antiencenom
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 8:37pmLaugh all you want this is terrible
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 8:44pmYes, it is terrible. It must be horrifying to have to live through an attack like that not to mention the embarrassment.
I love the Amish and while I am not ready to just walk away from everything I do envy them their lifestyle. If only their children could understand what they have going…
Report Post »Libertybell2012
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 8:47pmYou are right..obviously there are libtrolls on this sight..to laugh at another humans suffering shows their true character and they are just pure evil.
Report Post »Skrewedretiree
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 9:24pmThis is not really news; there have always been differences over religion in this country. I remember as a kid the family freaking out over the fact that John Kennedy was a Catholic, and what a nightmare that would be to have a Catholic president who would be beholding to the Pope. At least this infighting is only hair cutting. If you really want to get upset, take a look at how many MUSLIMS are flocking into the region! Before too many years go by, there will be more calls for Sharia law! We already have a couple of Muslim congressmen, if memory serves, and a Pro-Muslim president (there is growing evidence that he IS Muslim!). At least the Amish are against shedding blood, something the Muslims are more than willing to do at the drop of a hat at the least perceived provocation or excuse.
Report Post »Oregon_TEA
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 8:29pmGet ready for the Amish Spring! :)~
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 8:28pmThe Amish are getting uppity. Look out for the Amish Spring. The Amish insurrection.
Report Post »antiencenom
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 8:55pmYou are playing both sides Troll
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 9:03pmNo, I just see the humor in life. Something you should try. :-)
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 10:35pmAmish Spring – now THAT was funny!
NOT to be confused with the new deodorant soap by the same name.
Report Post »dogday
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 12:44amIt’s hard not to play both sides! It’s horrible and yet, wrongly funny.
Report Post »ares338
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 8:25pmSaves money on a hair cut!
Report Post »antiencenom
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 8:50pmJackass
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 9:11pmNow was that really called for antiencinom? Better watch out, he might go all Amish on you now.
Report Post »antiencenom
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 9:20pmBring it
Report Post »antiencenom
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 9:24pmOk I‘ll admit I don’t see much to laugh about these days but come on open you eyes this is gettin serious
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 8:23pmNow there is warfare among the amish?
Report Post »kentuckypatriot
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 8:31pmI hear ya snow. Disgraceful. I’m sure they want to live in peace like the rest of us.
Report Post »pavepaws
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 8:33pmWhat the H is going on? Now the Amish have insurrection?
Report Post »MidWestMom
Posted on October 6, 2011 at 8:47pmShameful behaviour no matter who is doing it to whom.
Report Post »