Abstract

RUMSPRINGA AS A RITUAL

One of the most important beliefs in The Amish church is that an individual has the right to choose of the want to join the church. According to Sims and Stevens (2019) rituals are outward expression of our inward beliefs that represent the community as a whole.

Rumspringa itself is a coming of age transitional ritual that also contains the life changing ritual of being baptized into the church. This customary ritual lets the teens engage in the opposite of their values before they commit their lives to the church. 

Within Rumspringa there are smaller rituals that the teens engage in like going to large parties and drinking. They listen to "English" music and drive cars, things that would not seem like meaningful rituals to the English culture. 

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If they decide not to join the church another important ritual takes place, the act of shunning. That individual is excommunicated and will never engage with their family again. This ritual reminds people of what can come if they don't follow community guidelines. 

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This link shows the step by step process in detail of rituals a Amish teen must go through in order to be baptized. 

http://amishamerica.com/how-do-amish-youth-prepare-for-baptism/