Book on Amish - Excellent!

I am reading a great book - Plain Secrets, by Joe Mackall - about the Swartzentruber Amish in Ohio, the most conservative Amish branch, and so far it is fascinating. It is amazing that any of these groups that work so hard to stay in the past technologically can survive within the modern world. They do lose a lot of their children, but you'd think every kid would leave.

Here's some intersting pics and info on the group.










Don't know if this is true (didn't do a Snopes check) but it is a good story (provided by brother Terry).

Subject: Florida Court Sets Atheist Holy Day
In Florida , an atheist created a case against the upcoming Christmas and Hanukkah holy days. He hired an attorney to bring a discrimination case against Christians, Jews, and observances of their holy days. The argument was that it was unfair that atheists had no such recognized day.

The case was brought be fore a judge. After listening to the passionate presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel declaring, "Case dismissed".

The lawyer immediately stood objecting to the ruling saying, "Your Honor, how can you possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have Christmas, Easter, and others. The Jews have Hanukkah, Passover, and Yom Kippur, yet, my client and all other atheists have no such holidays."

The judge leaned forward in his chair saying, "But you do, counsel, your client is woefully ignorant." The lawyer said, "Your Honor, we are unaware of any special observance or holiday for atheists." The judge said, "The calendar says April 1st is 'April Fool's Day'. Psalm 14:1 states, 'The fool says in his heart, there is no God.' Thus, it is the opinion of this court, that if your client says there is no God, then he is a fool. Therefore, April 1st is his day. Court is adjourned."