Who are the Amish? Some might respond simply by saying people who travel in strollers and men who have beards. However, according to Clyde Browning, the author of Amish in Illinois, they are “…a humble people living close to the teachings of the Bible and close to the land, a people intent on clinging to the ways brought by their ancestors from Europe.” (page XV, 5). There is a large population of Amish in Illinois who have had a great influence on surrounding communities due to their religious beliefs and lifestyle. They have evolved to keep their traditions alive. The Amish are one of many denominations that resulted from radical reformation in 16th-century Europe. Groups that came from the radical Reformation are known as Anabaptists. Anabaptists believe in adult baptism and the separation of church and state. These beliefs distinguish them from the teachings of Catholics and Protestants. These groups were totally against adult baptism. The Amish religion itself was born out of a disagreement between Swiss Mennonites in 1693. It was founded in Switzerland by the teachings of Jakob Ammon. He and many others became unhappy and eventually separated from the parent Mennonite church (the Amish 8). They desired a more rigorous and simplistic lifestyle. They wanted to return to the original beliefs and practices. They also believed in the avoidance process. They banded together and formed a group that rejected wars, materialism, and frivolity (Amish 3). Many Amish communities formed in Switzerland, Alsace, Germany, Russia and Holland (Amish 8). The Amish immigrated to North America in search of religious freedom (Amish 3). Those who chose to stay ended up joining Mennonite groups (the Amish 8). They settled in the South... middle of paper......ver, in their homes they still live without electricity and use a horse and buggy as transportation for their personal needs (Discover and Learn 1). The Amish are more than just a “buggy group and men with beards.” They are a people who longed for a more rigorous and simplistic lifestyle and people who hold tightly to the past provided by their ancestors. They are the ones who appreciate simplicity and live their life at a slow pace. The large Amish population in Illinois has a great influence on surrounding communities. They provide a large population of tourists due to their interesting lifestyle. They also provide tourists/outsiders with products such as their fresh baked goods and handmade furniture. Thanks to their adaptation to social changes they have managed to maintain their faith for such a long period of time.