The reaction of the Amish community in Lancaster County, Pa., after Charles Roberts gunned down innocent young schoolgirls on Oct. 2 was striking to many commentators.
The Amish take the Bible literally, especially Jesus' admonition, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). They also obey Paul's teaching to "live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves but leave it to the wrath of God. ... No, if your enemy is hungry, feed him" (Romans 12:18-21).
The Amish are named for Switzerland's Jacob Amman (1644-1720), who broke with the Mennonites, feeling they had drifted from the original strictures of Dutch founder Menno Simons (1496-1561). Both of these Anabaptist groups are forebears of modern-day Baptists....
