aKula

I guess there are many facets to be considered. The Amish's steadfast embrace of spirituality, rejection of technological advance and the close knit community that is part of their culture.

All these elements have both good and bad sides. They lack the general enlightenment and intellectualism which is attainable for members of the mainstream modern culture. This modern culture does, however, also produce empty materialism in which the individual is disinclined to seek advancment of their mind in intellectual and cultural matters. Hence the question from the original post often becomes an argument between spirituality and materialism. . Of course the relaxation of the rigid structure of society which allows such freedom also leads to some dilapidation at the edges of society.

The progress and enlightenment you praise is not apparent in the entire body of modern culture, only in part of it. Though the Amish lack this they also have the kind of spirituality that many people regard as better than the stagnation apparent in parts of the modern culture.

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"I am the wrath of God. The earth I pass will see me and tremble." -Klaus Kinski as Don Lope de Aguirre