I’m not entirely surprised. Don’t know if I could live like that. I think I could give up the television (watching less and less every day), maybe even the internet, but give up my car? No way! I feel sorry for the Amish (and their horses) when they go trotting into town in -30 weather. Of course, some do buy cars, but they just have other people drive them, which to me, seems a little silly. Go that far, might as well go all the way...
Rambling.
I too have seen Amish in northern Minnesota going home in their buggies at-26 not including the wind chill with as my wife commented nothing more than horse farts for heat. However, I have also seen three Amish men fishing in a small rowboat with their horse tied to a tree in the shade at the side of the lake. I had to admire the peace and simplicity of their fishing trip.
Sorry for not getting back to you all sooner (some people needed bikes fixed), but i agree we need not basically forsake technology, but as i understand it, the concern of the Amish is how it will affect their Christian morality, life and its community. While we may give up TV, and choose family activities over video games, they take it further. Which is challenging in an industrialized world, and a politically correct one, as seen with Chick-Fil-a.
We need use tech for God, and the body of Christ should be as manifestly different in our worship, morality, attitude, spirit and voting, etc. as the Amish are by their dress and horse and buggy, etc.
BTW, a good video on the amish schoolhouse murders. http://www.hulu.com/watch/17789/fox-news-specials-crime-scene-the-amish-schoolhouse-murders