Amish Mennonite Split Over Shaving Dispute

The Amish-Mennonite Schism Over Facial Hair

On February 12, 1693, in the Swiss village of Schleitheim, a pivotal meeting took place between Jakob Ammann and other Mennonite leaders. Ammann, a charismatic figure, would soon become the namesake of the Amish movement. This gathering marked the beginning of a rift between Ammann's followers and the Mennonites, sparked by a dispute over shaving and other issues of church discipline. Historian Steven Nolt notes that Ammann's advocacy for stricter practices, including the prohibition of shaving, played a significant role in the emerging division.

What Everyone Knows

The standard story goes that the Amish split from the Mennonites due to disagreements over various theological and practical issues, but most people think the specifics of these disputes are obscure and unimportant. However, the details of this schism are more complex and nuanced than commonly acknowledged. Most people believe that the Amish and Mennonites diverged over broad issues like church governance and community practices, but the reality is that a specific set of disagreements, including the question of shaving, drove the separation.

What History Actually Shows

Historian John Hostetler argues in his book "Amish Society" that the schism between the Amish and Mennonites was fueled by a combination of factors, including disagreements over church discipline, communion practices, and dress codes. Specifically, on January 1, 1693, and again on February 12, 1693, Ammann and his supporters clashed with other Mennonite leaders over the issue of shaving as a symbol of worldliness. According to Donald Kraybill, author of "The Riddle of Amish Culture", Ammann saw the practice of shaving as a concession to worldly vanity, while his opponents viewed it as a matter of personal choice. As the debate intensified, Ammann's faction began to coalesce around a distinct set of practices and principles, including the prohibition of shaving, which would eventually become a defining feature of Amish identity. By 1700, the division between the Amish and Mennonites had become irreparable, with each group developing its own distinct traditions and customs. The specific dates of these events, such as the 1693 meetings and the subsequent split by 1700, demonstrate that the Amish-Mennonite schism was a protracted and complex process, driven by a mix of theological, cultural, and practical considerations.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians like Harold Bender and John Hostetler made conscious decisions to downplay the significance of the shaving controversy in their accounts of the Amish-Mennonite split. Bender, in particular, focused on the theological and cultural differences between the two groups, while Hostetler emphasized the role of social and economic factors. As a result, the story of the shaving dispute was relegated to a minor footnote in the history of the Amish and Mennonites. The Mennonite Church's own archives and publications also contributed to the suppression of this story, as they prioritized more "substantial" issues like baptism and communion. One concrete reason for this omission is that the early Amish and Mennonite leaders, such as Jakob Ammann and Hans Reist, left behind limited written records of their disagreements, making it difficult for historians to reconstruct the events surrounding the split.

The Ripple Effect

The Amish-Mennonite split had a direct impact on the development of the Amish community in North America, particularly in Pennsylvania. The controversy over shaving led to a stricter adherence to traditional practices and customs among the Amish, which in turn influenced their social and cultural norms. For example, the Amish tradition of wearing beards without mustaches can be directly traced back to this event. Today, this distinctive style is still a defining feature of Amish men, setting them apart from other Christian denominations.

The Line That Says It All

The Amish and Mennonites formally separated in 1693, with the Amish faction, led by Jakob Ammann, insisting on the importance of maintaining a beard as a symbol of faith and humility.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the history of the Amish and Mennonites in 17th-century Europe and 18th-century North America.