Additional Coverage:
- I broke away from my traditional Amish community. Here’s what grabbed me most in the modern world — and what I miss. (newsbreak.com)
Daniel Beiler, who grew up in a traditional Amish community in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, shared insights into his life before and after leaving the community. Raised amid the rich natural backdrop of mountains and valleys, Daniel’s childhood was marked by activities like hunting, swimming, and horse riding, completely devoid of modern technologies like television or video games. His family traveled by horse and buggy, and for long distances, they would occasionally use taxis.
Daniel recalls that while his upbringing had its hardships, particularly with intense family dynamics, it was a unique and enriching experience. His community was one of many Amish groups, each with its distinct practices; for instance, his did not engage in Rumspringa, a period where some Amish youth explore wider societal behaviors.
As the community slowly adapted to modern necessities like smartphones and electricity for business purposes, Daniel’s curiosity about the outside world grew. He felt confined and unfulfilled, driven by a desire to explore beyond the mountains of his home. His questioning nature often left him unsatisfied with the answers provided by his community’s elders.
A severe accident at 14, where a horse kicked him, leaving him with a fractured skull and nearly fatal injuries, marked a significant turn in his life. This incident led to various health challenges, including depression and ADHD.
He credits his breakthrough to a Mennonite counselor, who introduced him to broader perspectives and others who questioned traditional Amish teachings. Eventually, Daniel left the community at 23, around the time he got married, and was excommunicated shortly after his wedding in a somewhat lenient manner by his community’s standards.
Leaving the Amish lifestyle opened new horizons for Daniel and his family. He embraced modern life, relishing the freedom that driving a car brought him. However, his venture into the broader world was swift, as just weeks after leaving, he traveled to Iraq to volunteer as an aid worker, a role he continued in various global hotspots over the following decade.
Now settled in Idaho with his family, Daniel works as an EMT aiding firefighters with wildfire efforts. While connected to modern conveniences like electricity and vehicles, he sometimes misses the simplicity and self-sufficiency of his off-grid Amish upbringing. He believes that a closer connection to nature, which he felt in his earlier life, is something greatly missing in contemporary society.
Still embracing aspects of his roots, Daniel and his family maintain a balance between modern amenities and avoiding excessive consumption of what he terms “trash culture.” He values outdoor activities for his children over screen time, emphasizing the benefits of interacting with nature and simpler pleasures.
Overall, Daniel Beiler’s journey reflects a profound transition from a life bounded by tradition to one that embraces the broader world’s challenges and opportunities, while still holding onto core values from his upbringing.