Faith

There’s Been Another Amish Beard Attack — This Time a Son Allegedly Attacked His Dad

Amish Mans Beard & Hair Cutoff in Ohio AttackFollowing an odd string of incidents in Jefferson County, Ohio, an elderly Amish man was attacked earlier this week by his own son.

As you may recall, last month, an unusual pattern began to emerge, as authorities began publicly discussing some disconcerting attacks. Local Amish-men have allegedly been waging a so-called war of sorts against one another.

These attacks, though, haven’t been your average, run-of-the-mill criminal actions. Rather than physically harming or stealing from their Amish compatriots, some individuals have stormed into homes and viciously cut off the hair and beards of their victims.

This week, authorities reported on yet another attack on an Amish man whose hair and beard were chopped off. Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla says that the man was attacked on Wednesday, while visiting his son in the same community where five suspects have already been charged with beard-cutting. “There is no question this was pre-planned,” the sheriff said.

The man, who Abdalla said was in his 70s, went to his son’s home and the two talked. The man said his son then attacked him, with the help of the son’s children, and wrestled him to the ground. The sheriff also said the elderly man’s wife tried to help her husband but was held back by her daughter-in-law.

The previous actions were purportedly over religious differences and a split that has occurred among the Amish. Abdalla said the beard-cutting incidents are related to Sam Mullet, leader of the breakaway Amish group in the Bergholz area. The group has had differences with other bishops over the handling of church matters. Mullet told The Associated Press last month that the hair-cutting was a response to criticism of his leadership from other Amish bishops.

“They changed the rulings of our church here, and they’re trying to force their way down our throat, make us do like they want us to do, and we’re not going to do that,” Mullet said. This latest attack is only the most recent in a string of bizarre behaviors in the community.

The Blaze reported the following last month:

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.

The latest victim has said that he will not press charges, though the sheriff claims that he “begged” him to do so.

While these actions may seem odd to some, it is considered an insult to cut off the beard or hair among the Amish. These religious men typically grow beards as adults and stop trimming them when they marry, and the beards are held in high esteem.

Authorities in other nearby communities and counties are investigating similar incidents, as last month‘s issues don’t appear to be isolated in nature.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Comments (78)

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  • ENTP
    Posted on November 11, 2011 at 9:38pm

    they’ve been BUSHWHACKED !!!!

    Report Post » ENTP  
  • ENTP
    Posted on November 11, 2011 at 9:22pm

    TERRORISTS!!! They are everywhere, isn’t there a war on Terrorism? Can’t we send them to Club GITMO??? Now I guess we know what we can replace water-boarding with!

    Report Post » ENTP  
  • otmonger
    Posted on November 11, 2011 at 5:53pm

    How long before there difference in religion turns to fatal violence????

    Report Post » otmonger  
    • Irish Mick
      Posted on November 11, 2011 at 9:04pm

      Great! Now we got a Suni vs. Shiite thing going on here in Ohio now! They’ll be throwin horse shoes and pitch forking each other for years to come

      Report Post » Irish Mick  
  • DirkPitt
    Posted on November 11, 2011 at 5:16pm

    Is it just me or does anybody else see the irony in the one guys name being “Mullet”.

    Report Post »  
    • DirkPitt
      Posted on November 11, 2011 at 5:20pm

      LOL! Okay so it’s not just me. I should have read more of the posts before I posted.

      Report Post »  
    • rwinger261
      Posted on November 11, 2011 at 6:14pm

      I laughed so hard I nearly lost my supper.

      Report Post » rwinger261  
    • Maire
      Posted on November 13, 2011 at 5:13pm

      Yes, I saw that too!

      I think they should send in Richard Dean Anderson to apprehend the criminals responsible for this illegal hair cutting.

      Report Post »  
  • palerider54
    Posted on November 11, 2011 at 4:45pm

    Laugh and tease the Amish if you dare. They have the faith and conviction of their religion that puts us to shame. They are a good and decent people. Sure there are exceptions, as in any culture.

    Those of you who claim to be Christians and are making fun of this beard cutting should stand in front of a mirror and feel shame in what you see.

    The Bible DOES say that a womans hair is her GLORY.

    Report Post »  
    • GdHUs
      Posted on November 11, 2011 at 8:08pm

      I agree with you about the Amish. But its disturbing to hear that there are elements within that uncompromising sect that would do such an evil thing. I truly believe that unholy spirits have been unleashed upon our world. This might just be another example.

      Report Post » GdHUs  
    • ENTP
      Posted on November 11, 2011 at 9:40pm

      Yes, I can see that, the conviction part…

      Report Post » ENTP  
    • ENTP
      Posted on November 11, 2011 at 9:45pm

      I forgot to say to the above comment that I’m replying to, that the bible does say that about a woman’s hair, & that a woman shouldn’t dress as a man…. but what that is actually talking about is that a woman is not supposed to dress like a man so that she LOOKS like a man to trick someone (like a female) into thinking she is a man…. ya know, like a cross-dresser.

      Report Post » ENTP  
    • Maire
      Posted on November 13, 2011 at 6:00pm

      Well, yes the Bible does say that about a woman’s hair being her glory. It also talks about excessive vanity being sinful. While I don’t believe this story is about vanity, IMHO there is WAY YOO MUCH emphasis placed on the length of beards, hair, etc. If it was put into context, it wouldn‘t be such a big deal to sneak in somebody’s house and cut their beards/hair.

      What I’m trying to say is, if the hair and beards weren’t so symbolically important, these crimes wouldn’t be taking place.

      Report Post »  
    • palerider54
      Posted on November 14, 2011 at 12:49am

      @ENTP,

      I did not mean that women who have short hair are not Godly women. I do like long hair on a woman but that is just my personal opinion. I think you are right about it meaning not looking like a man. A woman can have short hair and still look like a female.

      Remember that it was common for men to have long hair in Biblical times.

      We need to always remember when reading the Bible, what the culture and customs of the time were, to get a true and just understanding of Gods word.

      The point I was trying to make is that the Amish have certain beliefs about the men’s beards and the women’s long hair. To violate this by cutting it against their will is almost the same as rape to them.
      Actually it is a form of rape, it is violating them.

      Men who are not yet married are not allowed to grow a beard, that way the woman can see his face, an important issue in trying to decide if he is the one she wants to marry, and also it helps to determine who is married and who is not. The Amish men are still men and subject to the same temptations of the flesh that we are.

      The Amish are a good and decent people. We should try and have more of their family values in our society, instead of making fun of them.

      God Bless.

      Report Post »  
    • D
      Posted on November 14, 2011 at 2:43pm

      @Marie

      If you were Amish, and your hair were cut close to your scalp. Can you think of any other closely held symbol I could attack? Your dress length, your prayer bonnet? Hair has nothing to do with it. It’s the easiest and outwardly symbol to attack. Amish law breakers are treated like non-Amish in most communities. A criminal is a criminal regardless.

      Report Post »  
  • 762x51
    Posted on November 11, 2011 at 3:22pm

    So the bad guy in all this hair cutting is named Mullett? That MUST be a sign, or a T-Shirt.

    What happens if you do something really bad, not just disagree with their beliefs? Do they come to your house and turn on the sink fawcets and let them run over? SO armed robbery is punishable by having your electricity cut off . . wait that won’t work, they shove a potato up your tail pipe, no that won’t work either,. I know they come over and rough up the seat in your outhouse.

    Why is this plain old low level domestic violence even news?

    Report Post »  
  • Charles
    Posted on November 11, 2011 at 3:12pm

    So Weird Al will need to add another stanza to his Amish Paradise tune!

    Report Post »  
  • sapper
    Posted on November 11, 2011 at 2:14pm

    @eliasm…….not sure what your smoking but would love to know where you get it from. I read all of your posts here and still have no effing idea what your talking about in any of them.

    Cut off beard,,,,really….and this is really a problem? IT GROWS BACK MORONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Report Post »  
    • kaydeebeau
      Posted on November 11, 2011 at 3:53pm

      Glad to know I am not the only one who can’t make heads or tails out of eliasim…

      Report Post » kaydeebeau  
    • jaylew
      Posted on November 11, 2011 at 4:41pm

      ummmm he lost me on the christmas tree part and then i actually became completely stupider for having continued to read the next several of his “tidbits”…..i suspect he may be an Amish insurgent….perhaps even one who has committed an Amish drive by or two..which of course are always ineffective because the clomping of the horse hooves lets the intended victims know a good solid 3 minutes prior that “bad news” is heading their way……that gives the victims time to duck for cover and then Jedadiah throws a bucket full of oats in the road to get the horse team “off task”. I am hoping someday though that Amish folks do allow their followers to get Facebook pages. There would only be two Avatars for the entire population…his and hers…well maybe three now since there is a serial hair and beard trimmer on the loose.

      Report Post » jaylew  
  • JLGunner
    Posted on November 11, 2011 at 2:09pm

    Scandal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Report Post » JLGunner  
    • cessna152
      Posted on November 11, 2011 at 2:14pm

      “Beard” things are happening all over……

      Report Post » cessna152  
  • takemout
    Posted on November 11, 2011 at 1:37pm

    This is too funny! Sam Mullet is ordering haircuts.

    Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on November 11, 2011 at 1:10pm

    This has happened many times before… when two religious leaders fall into a dispute… a feud begins.

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • JohnnyMidknight
    Posted on November 11, 2011 at 1:09pm

    What is this…. The Occupy Amish Cell?

    Report Post » JohnnyMidknight  
    • Jomil48
      Posted on November 11, 2011 at 2:00pm

      Next it will be an amish drive by, clip clop, clip clop, BANG, clip clop, clip clop.

      Report Post »  
    • cessna152
      Posted on November 11, 2011 at 2:15pm

      Drive by.. LOL

      Thanks for the “visual” you made my day.

      Report Post » cessna152  
  • keats5
    Posted on November 11, 2011 at 1:00pm

    My son’s a rough and tumble Marine.

    He wouldn‘t dare touch his Dad’s beard.

    Report Post » keats5  
  • Tickdog
    Posted on November 11, 2011 at 12:52pm

    what tha hell is da world comin to?

    Report Post » Tickdog  
  • GeorgeWashingtonslept here
    Posted on November 11, 2011 at 12:31pm

    Amish Flash Mob’s………………..just when you think you’d seen and heard it all…………..:)

    Report Post »  
  • Mandors
    Posted on November 11, 2011 at 12:28pm

    Amish attacking one another, dogs and cats living together… it’s mass hysteria.

    Report Post » Mandors  
  • geomann
    Posted on November 11, 2011 at 12:21pm

    It must be part of the Occupy Barbershop movement…

    Report Post »  
  • PATRIOTGRUNT
    Posted on November 11, 2011 at 12:21pm

    What is the dispute about ? It’s a matter of time before someone will get hurt. Always thought Amish were peaceful people.

    Report Post » PATRIOTGRUNT  
  • SBR308
    Posted on November 11, 2011 at 12:13pm

    The sons where reported to have yelled before the attack, Shave and a Haircut 2 Bits

    Report Post »  
  • Eliasim
    Posted on November 11, 2011 at 12:12pm

    Herein is the issue: a beard isn’t for men, but for “Man spirit” and yet, people have no right to make another shave their beard. You just don’t know how the light comes from one into many. Picture a Christmas Tree, and on top of the Christmas tree is a “Man”, and the ornaments through out the Christmas Tree represents various people who are “Stones” who reflect the light of the Tree lighting. Now, the Garland that flows down the Christmas Tree is rivers and streams, or “streamers.“ That Garland is the ”Man’s” Beard. Oh good grief how much longer?

    Report Post »  
    • Eliasim
      Posted on November 11, 2011 at 12:17pm

      I certainly know how Job felt.

      Report Post »  
    • Eliasim
      Posted on November 11, 2011 at 12:18pm

      You people just don‘t know what you’ve got in your Christmas Trees, because you zoom in on the presents under the tree brought to you by Satan Clause.

      Report Post »  
    • Eliasim
      Posted on November 11, 2011 at 12:32pm

      Come on people I‘m not doing this because it’s fun. Just like Total Recall “Quaid, open your mind.”

      Report Post »  
    • Eliasim
      Posted on November 11, 2011 at 12:36pm

      Now I know there are some stones out there walking around, because all the dead are walking the earth. So, raise up your shields of God’s armor, and reflect the light into the shadows.

      Report Post »  
    • Eliasim
      Posted on November 11, 2011 at 12:42pm

      Look, the entire world is going to attack the United States. What have you got to lose?

      Report Post »  
    • DirkPitt
      Posted on November 11, 2011 at 5:19pm

      What the heck!?

      Report Post »  
    • ENTP
      Posted on November 11, 2011 at 9:37pm

      I thought the beard was a sign of rebellion.

      Report Post » ENTP  
    • Jomil48
      Posted on November 11, 2011 at 10:09pm

      What the H—- are you talking about, christmas trees, and walking stones, and I am sorry but the star on the top of a tree represents Christ not man. It sounds like a group of them from the sect was shunned so they are retalliating by terrorizing everyone.

      Report Post »  
  • westfayetteville
    Posted on November 11, 2011 at 12:11pm

    You know its getting bad when the Amish are starting to turn on each other, God Please help us. Amen

    Report Post » westfayetteville  
  • David
    Posted on November 11, 2011 at 12:10pm

    “Charged with beard cutting?” You’ve got to be kidding… Is there actually a statute on the books by that name???

    Report Post » David  
  • TOMCHARCHAFFEE
    Posted on November 11, 2011 at 12:07pm

    Anyone that encourages this type of behavior to the children in the families within the church is evil to say the least…My prayers are with the Aimish people. God bless you and keep your faith strong.

    Report Post »  
    • David
      Posted on November 11, 2011 at 12:51pm

      You have to read the article carefully. It says that these men, and some women, who did this were “disavowed by mainstream Amish.” there’s also no specific mention of them starting their own sect, or separate branch of an Amish church, etc. So, to “read between the lines,“ it sounds as if these individuals were sort of ”fed up” with some of the Amish ways, and maybe have “snapped” in a way, or weren’t going to take certain things anymore. My point is that it’s really not Amish against Amish, but only a group a bit disenfranchised with some of the Amish ways they’ve been living with, and have organized to protest it a bit. It is immature, for sure. Wrong, yes, about how it’s gone about. In my opinion it is because, like anythinbg, when you stick with anything that isn’t right for too long, it can “backfire,“ and you can end up going too far the other way in ”lashing out.” What they did was wrong, but it wasn’t as if they harmed anyone seriously. I think what they would like to do is change the Amish church. But really, the whole thing is ridiculous. If anyone doesn’t like something they should just leave it. But sometimes that choice does not seem right either when it has been taught to you it is the right way your whole life. I mean, where do you :leave to?” BeCOME A MENNONITE? That’s sort of what a more liberal Amish person would be, an “old order mennonite,“ the ”next level up.” But to some, you might as well be a methodist then.

      Report Post » David  
    • delta1776
      Posted on November 11, 2011 at 6:34pm

      I’m amazed at the shallowness of some of the comments here .
      What you guys don‘t realize is the nutjobs that are doing these attacks are kooks who’ve denounced God an claim to follow Satan. I grew up in that culture an can assure you even the lowest of them would have never attended these pathetic occupy protests.
      What a great nation we would be if the worst thing we’d read in the news would be one like this .

      Report Post »  
  • Parnelli
    Posted on November 11, 2011 at 12:03pm

    the kid can’t grow his own beard….will glue on his dad’s

    Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on November 11, 2011 at 11:53am

    “incidents are related to Sam Mullet” Aha! so they‘re giving them the ole’ Mullet…business in the front, party in the back.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
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