Generally, we found that the Amish do benefit from the lack of technology in many ways including that of morality, character growth, and a peaceful, if difficult at times, life. (And, last and definitely not least, they will tell you that it is God's way.) On the other hand, they lack many of the modern conveniences we consider the norm, and would have problems doing without. The scale is weighted, and it is one's own choice as to whether one side is heavier than the other.

Personally, (Chrissy's personal opinion, not the entire group's) I think the life is beautiful and worthy of commendation, if strenuous, or perhaps because it is strenuous, and holds many merits, even if it takes 20 times longer to plow a field. (something I haven't done in a while anyway...) However, I am lazy and quite used to comfort (I say as I sit in my cushy chair and stare at the screen with the tv on and a Diet Pepsi and a bag of pretzels close by). And that, I believe, is the American way! (I apologize for my cynicism...these views do not necessarily represent those of the entire group)

The Amish's lack of technology as we view it does change their lives immeasurably. It creates a whole new set of goals and a completely different way of achieving them. We state this, quite confident there is little dispute that their lives are different from those of technological-enabled people. And that is my brief conclusion.