Mormons vs Amish : deux visions religieuses extrêmes

Aux États-Unis comme ailleurs, certaines communautés religieuses fascinent autant qu’elles déconcertent. Mormons et Amish partagent une foi inébranlable, mais vivent aux antipodes.

Les premiers, qu’ils soient français, américains ou thaïlandais, pratiquent des rituels étonnants : baptêmes posthumes de célébrités comme De Gaulle, bassines de cornflakes au petit déjeuner, stock de bananes lyophilisées en prévision de l’apocalypse, et une obéissance à Thomas Monson, prophète autoproclamé suivi par 14 millions d’adeptes.

En parallèle, les Amish vivent à l’écart du monde moderne, sans électricité ni eau courante, selon des préceptes vieux de 400 ans, inspirés par Jacob Amman. Tandis que les uns ont leurs entrées à la Maison-Blanche, les autres cultivent leurs champs en carriole, dans une austérité absolue.

Deux visions du monde qui interrogent : peut-on encore vivre aujourd’hui selon des dogmes d’un autre temps ?

Courbevoie, in the Parisian suburbs. Isabelle, Serge and their four children have an unchanging ritual. One evening a week, they gather to sing, pray and talk about God. Who is Jesus? Jesus Jesus, who is it An angel An angel No, He’s a little more than an angel. Jesus, he is an Astral savior, an edentary Astral, our God. Well done No, It’s well summed up. We can also say that Jesus Christ, This is our example. He is an instructor, He is a master for us. And our goal, It’s about being more like him. It’s at… This family is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the official name of the Mormons. On Sunday, It’s suits and ties for boys and long skirts for girls. Heading to the Mormon Church of Saint-Ouen, in the Parisian suburbs. Churches like this, There are 120 of them in France. The family stays up all morning. There are said to be 35,000 Mormons in France. They call themselves Christians, they believe in God, in Jesus and in the Bible, But they have their own rite, their clergy, and they obey particularly strict rules of life. For example, during communion, No wine, but water, because their beliefs forbid them alcohol, coffee or tobacco. In addition to the Mass, there is the catechism, mandatory for all. Mormons spend two hours every Sunday talking about God, adults as well as young people. And it starts at 18 months old. Shh Go to church, it’s fun, amusing, very funny. Go to church, it’s fun, it’s fun, Really ! Well done Yes, Yes, that’s it In the room, a baby and a 3-year-old girl. Is Jesus, he loves everyone Yes, Jesus, he loves everyone. “He loves us very much.” ” Yes, He loves us very much. Do you do it too? “It’s shy.” “Everything you do, always be kind.” For two hours, This couple of volunteers will alternate games, prayers and songs. “These are the lessons of Jesus.” A lesson that this little girl seems to have learned perfectly. “Goodbye Jesus.” But being Mormon, It’s not just about going to church on Sunday. Religion plays an essential role in daily life and imposes some sacrifices on the faithful. Regularly, Serge donates money to the church. 10% of his salary, This is called tithing. For this financial director, This represents several hundred euros each month. In the time of Abraham, it was 10% of his livestock, It was one sheep out of ten sheep, etc. Today, more concretely, We are not going to pour 10% of our potatoes and others, But everyone pays 10% of his income freely to the Church. Deborah, is 16 years old, She is the eldest of the family. She is in first grade. In his public high school, She is the only one who is Mormon. She never hid her religion from Anne-Laure, her best friend. It is even often a topic of conversation between the two girls. For example, I asked him, Yes, Is it because of your religion that you don’t want to… You’re telling me I’m telling Gena that. All right. That you don’t want to have sex before marriage. And she told me yes. After, we discussed this, but since we’ve known each other for a while, THANKS. It wasn’t really awkward for us to discuss these issues. But there is one thing Deborah never showed her friend. In his school bag, like all young Mormons, She keeps a small guide to the church. He suffered. But hey, This is “Young people, “be strong.” This booklet, “Young people, “be strong”, This is the code of good conduct for young Mormons. Inside, a whole series of rules that he must follow. For example, how to dress. Young girls should wear clothes that cover the shoulders and avoid low necklines in the front or back. And it also concerns the way of dancing. Do not hug your partner or make suggestive movements. All aspects of daily life are covered. These rules, Deborah follows them to the letter. And her classmates sometimes have trouble understanding her. It’s true that sometimes, There are some people who are convinced that yes, I am in a cult, I am influenced, that it is catastrophic. And if it’s true, They don’t understand at all. In France, Mormons are little known, But the Church is not considered a sect by the authorities. THANKS. Sorry. Bye, Hello SO, What is this religion? Who are the Mormons really? It’s 7am in Ohio, in the heart of the United States. In this school bus, about twenty students. They all belong to the Amish community. Christians who live according to traditions inherited from the 17th century and who flee the influence of the modern world. Little girls in long dresses and traditional headdresses. Boys in shirts and suspenders. They have their own schools. Each day begins with biblical songs. James has been the school’s principal for 29 years. In the classroom, The students are between 11 and 14 years old. The boys are on one side, the other’s daughters. If the teacher must follow the National Education program, He adapts the courses according to the principles of the Bible. Our science studies are based on the scriptures. Our Church is clear on the theory of evolution. We must follow the Bible. There is no doubt about it for the Amish. They are the children of Adam and Eve. They reject the theory of evolution and do not teach recent scientific discoveries. They even have their own school textbook. Here is a math book. Here, you will only find problems in accordance with our faith. There will be problems illustrated by biblical characters. There, You have a story about a mother who takes care of her children. Things like that that are based on our culture. All students leave school at 14, While in the United States, Education is compulsory until the age of 16. But the Amish managed to get a special exemption from the Supreme Court in 1972. Our community works better. When children work with their parents from the age of 14. They can help neighbors, train in stores, companies that we deem appropriate. It will be more of a practical learning experience than an academic one. We will never be doctors, veterinarians or dentists. For what Because their lifestyle conflicts with our beliefs. Access to Science Technology is seen as a threat to their traditional way of life. For these children, the future therefore seems to map out everything. Michael, what are you going to do next year I’m going to work in the store. His father has a store. Ethan Help out on the farm. Jessica, on the girls’ side? Helping my mother around the house. For friends? Too much education risks alienating children from the community and subjecting them to the temptations of the modern world. It is one of the most discreet and mysterious communities in the United States. Originally from Switzerland, from Germany and Alsace, The Amish fled religious persecution and arrived on American soil in the early 18th century. They settled in the east of the country, mainly in Pennsylvania and Ohio. There are now more than 360,000 AMIsh. Christians, very conservative, They obey the rules of their Church which have not changed for three centuries. A simple and austere life, no car, no electricity or telephone, They reject any intrusion of modernity. The Amish run away from the cameras, but exceptionally, Pete and Ruth opened their doors and agreed to show us their way of life. It’s connected to the gas and it comes through there. We call it a sleeve. Withdrawn into themselves, Amish people marry only within the community. But this is not without consequences. Genetic and hereditary diseases are developing. They are called God’s special children because they are different. Among the Amish, there is a group living in quasi-autarky. Their rules are even stricter. They are called Schwartzentruber. We believe that if we go out into the modern world, we will be led to sin and be in immoral situations. For some young people, This family pressure is too strong. Cheryl decided to leave her community. I feel like a bird in the wild. I can go wherever I want. Some Amish adapt their traditional way of life when they are on vacation. In Florida, every winter, They find themselves at the seaside. An opportunity for young people to experience new things. We have a superb view of God’s world. In the heart of the United States, one of the most developed countries on the planet, Immersion. In this community which, each day, tries to resist the influence of the modern world. Their missionaries walk the streets of the world trying to convert new believers. Hello Mrs, sorry to bother you, but in fact, I am a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ. There are now 14 million Mormons worldwide. At the head of this church, a living prophet who speaks with God. I know without a doubt, siblings, that God exists. The Church is very rich, controlled by a handful of men. What we call the twelve apostles. Twelve apostles, Among them, former businessmen. I am the smallest. The youngest The youngest, Yes. In their temple, They practice mysterious rites and secretly build the dead. Louis de Funès and General De Gaulle thus became Mormons, without their family’s knowledge. What is their purpose? Why do they do this? We will also go to fundamentalist Mormon communities. They are polygamous and live outside the law. I want to show the world that we are not bad. We are a normal family. Investigation. At the heart of a mysterious Church that wants to gain power and already has a candidate for the White House. Mithromne. Maybe. The future president of the United States. To better understand this religion, you have to go to the great American West, in Utah. This is the stronghold of this church. In this state, to the Western landscape, 70% of the inhabitants are Mormons. The capital, This is Salt Lake City, a town built by Mormon pioneers 150 years ago. At the start, It was a desert. There was nothing. Today, It is a typical American city of 800,000 inhabitants which even hosted the Olympic Games in 2002. In the city center, the Salt Lake Temple. The symbol of the Mormon religion, and all around, an entire neighborhood dedicated to religion, Temple Square. Behind these gates, it is the Vatican of the Mormons, large flower-lined paths, car-free streets and several religious buildings. The place is spotless, It is the church’s window. To attract the 5 million tourists who come to Salt Lake City each year, The Church has thought of everything. Pretty young girls, The Book of Mormont in hand welcomes visitors. They speak all languages, because they come from all over the world, from Spain, for example, or the Philippines. We had informed the Church of our visit. So we, We are welcomed in French. Good morning Good morning How are you Good morning Good morning Enchanted It’s impressive! It comes from France. From where in France? Bayonne. These two young girls are Mormons. They are 21 years old. They decided to spend 18 months in Salt Lake City, in the service of their church. They are missionaries. The Gospel of Christ, exactly, made us so happy that it’s something we want to share with people. And really, our goal, as a missionary, It’s really about inviting people to think and… To draw closer to God and Jesus Christ. And to bring us closer to Jesus, everything is done to impress us. Like all tourists, We are invited to the rehearsal of a spectacular concert. This choir is number one in record sales in the United States and the Church is very proud of it. Because the 360 singers are all Mormons. When the audience sees the choir members, they say to themselves “they seem nice, I feel something special when they sing.” We, We call it the spirit of God. SO, they say to themselves “These people can’t be that bad.” SO, I think the choir is a good way, a non-aggressive way of showing who we are and what we represent. But the main attraction here, It is the temple itself. Each day, Dozens of young Mormon couples come to celebrate their union there. But it is impossible to film the interior of the temple, nor even to enter it, Access is prohibited to all non-Mormons. And on this point, Our two young guides are uncompromising. It is a place where we make our promises with God, so we prepare ourselves before entering. It is a sacred place. So, even while attending, by attending, we won’t be able to return to camp. No, you will love, you can prepare yourself. It means to come and see, no hiding. Exactly. End of the visit. Thank you very much for coming. Bye. Bye, have a good day. Bye. Behind these big smiles hide many mysteries, because it is not only temples that are impenetrable. The man who runs this church is also very secretive. His name is Thomas Monson, he is 83 years old. He is called the modern Prophet. His public appearances are rare and always very solemn. Today, 14 million faithful worship him, Because for them, This man would be in direct contact with God. I know without a doubt, Dear brothers and sisters, that God exists. Before Thomas Monson, 15 Mormon prophets have led the Church. The first of them, it’s Joseph Smith, a young American farmer. My dear citizens of Palmyra. His story is told in this film. Produced by the Church Communications Department. A Hollywood production in period costume, with professional actors. This film has been translated into around twenty languages for distribution worldwide. You don’t come to church anymore, Joseph I try to do, as you said, and I try to see what the true doctrine is. The story takes place in 1820 in the United States. Joseph Smith was 14 years old at the time. One day he was walking in the woods, God and Jesus appear to him. Joseph, This is my beloved son. Listen to him. Christ has a message. All churches are in error. He then asked Joseph Smith to write a new gospel. The young man becomes the new prophet and writes the Book of Mormont. This time, The story of Jesus Christ does not take place in Palestine, but in America, making Americans the new chosen people. And since then, according to Mormon beliefs, all the prophets who succeeded Joseph Smith are in contact with Jesus, But much less with the press. Thomas Manson declines all interview requests. Exceptionally, we were able to meet one of his closest collaborators, in the church headquarters. A place that is rare to enter. SO, Welcome here, to our house. This man, all smiles, It’s Neil Anderson. This 59-year-old American lived in France for several years. We can go up here, if you want. And it’s not just anyone, Nile is an apostle. This is an image of Jesus with the twelve apostles. As in the time of Jesus, The Mormon Church is organized around a prophet and twelve apostles. But these are… What we call the twelve apostles. I’m the new guy and I’m the smallest. The youngest The youngest, Yes. But the smallest, too. He was appointed by the Prophet almost two years ago. But why you This is for me, It’s amazing. And I think it was surprising to my sons, who know me well. By accepting their nomination, The apostles devote themselves to the church full-time and abandon their former activities. Everyone had a profession before. He was a doctor, Here he was a university president. And what were you doing before? I had an advertising agency. Under the Authority of the Prophet. The apostles meet regularly in this room to manage the church and its immense heritage. Because thanks to the gifts of his faithful, the tithe, The Mormon church has become extremely wealthy. No official figures have been released. The apostle prefers to remain discreet on this point. But in Salt Lake City, This fortune is displayed on every street corner. The church owns the most beautiful buildings in the city, like here, where she set up her communications department. She also runs an insurance company. She is also present in the media. She has a daily newspaper, The Deseret News, 26 radio stations across the country, and even a television channel. Recently, She bought an entire district of the city to transform it into a gigantic ultra-modern shopping center with hundreds of stores, of offices and apartments. According to a study by the very serious Time Magazine, She is said to have a fortune of 30 billion dollars. The Church is growing, but she can’t shake off a sulphurous reputation. Linked to polygamy, which is practiced by certain fundamentalist Mormon groups. It’s autumn, in Ohio, a state rich in agricultural land, where the community has mainly settled. Here, in Holmes County, One in two inhabitants is friendly. They live on farms, in the countryside. They are easy to recognize, no power lines around, amazing red painted barns. In the cities, a Swiss chalet or the facades of Bavarian breweries. Everything recalls the European origins of the Amish. In the streets, in the middle of the cars, dozens of black buggies pulled by horses, the only vehicle allowed in the community. And everywhere, men in dark suits and women in traditional dress. But impossible to film them, It’s against their religion. After long discussions, One of the community leaders agreed to welcome us into his home. To explain the rules of his Church, on one condition, not to show his face. I would say it would draw too much attention to us. You will never see our portraits on our graves or on our walls. If we had our picture taken, it would be very frowned upon. That would be a shame. He receives us barefoot, a sign of modesty and humility. The Amish are determined to resist the temptations of the modern world at all costs. We want to keep our “old order”, our ancestral way of life. Should I deny myself certain things in this world so that my grandchildren can have a good life? I think so, Yes, I want it, so that my grandchildren are not inspired by this modernity. But this religious man still agreed to put us in touch with one of his friends. Pete, 59 years old. He is part of the Old Order, the old Order. He is a very conservative friend. He inherited a few words of French from his Alsatian ancestors. Since his childhood, He only travels with his carriage, pulled by a horse. It’s very peaceful. We have time to look at the landscapes. The longest journey we’ve ever taken, with a horse and buggy, It was 27 km there and 27 km back. 54 km in total. Upon arrival, our horse was tired, but it was okay. Pete is a dairy farmer. He took over the family farm. The farmer lives there with his wife, Ruth. They had six children and now live with their three youngest daughters. A son-in-law, two grandchildren and Pete’s father. It’s corn harvest season. Does Pete have his horses? He doesn’t use a tractor, banned by his church. Gently, gently. It’s a lot of work, but I have to do something. This is my life and I love it. It’s peaceful to sit behind the horses. To cut his corn, He uses an old diesel-powered harvester pulled by his horses. A model that is no longer sold commercially and that only friends use. It takes longer, But since I have a small area to work, a small field, I manage to finish on time. The harvest, before the arrival of winter. It will take him ten days to finish his field, when it would have only taken him a few hours. With a modern machine. Coming from a family of 11 children, Pete was the only one who wanted to take over the family farm. To the great delight of his father, who taught him everything. At 88 years old, he is always there to help her. I’m not too old for that. Come on, Here we go ! Formerly, everything was done by hand. But to face the competition and succeed in surviving, Pete and his father had to make concessions to the modern era by purchasing some machines. Years ago, we were all farmers. This is no longer the case today. That’s how it is. There are not enough farms left. And more and more people. Why is the Amiche population growing? Every 20 years, we double down on what we say. Pete’s dad is right. Between 2000 and 2020, The Amiche population increased from 180,000 to 360,000 inhabitants. While the men are in the field, Women take care of the house. Ruth makes all the family’s clothes. Since the 19th century, the fashion for loaves has not changed. The only new element, the sewing machine powered by a solar panel. An innovation tolerated by the Church. It’s for my granddaughter. I love making little dresses. These are my favorites. Ruth follows the traditional dress pattern to the letter. The same for all. The length should be between the ankle and the knee. She must be modest. Pretty ordinary. Very simple. And do you like it? I don’t mind. But when you see other, brighter dresses, different, There’s a part of me that would love to wear them, But no one ever did. It doesn’t suit us. So, it’s not a big deal. Plain dresses, no makeup or jewelry, no accessories other than the headdress are allowed. This is what I wear for the Church. Simplicity to be close to God. You put it like this. But normally, I wear long sleeves. It’s pretty cool to see everyone wearing the same outfit. It’s reassuring and I like it. Among the Amish, individualism is not well seen. Community comes first. Men and women must stay in their place. A few hours from Salt Lake City, in the middle of the desert, polygamous Mormon communities live there. Their stronghold, Colorado City. The official Mormon Church does not recognize them. They are considered outlaws in the United States. They are similar to living here, away from America. They are dressed like in 19th century. We won’t be able to approach them. They fear cameras and journalists, because two years ago, They made the headlines. April 2008, in Texas. The police make a surprise raid on one of these communities. 400 children are forcibly taken away for interrogation. Authorities suspect the community of practicing forced marriages and sexual abuse of minors. To date, 6 men were sentenced to prison. These images shocked America. But in the region, There are also other communities of fundamentalist Mormons, more open. To help us approach them, We have an appointment in this cafe with two women. Good morning, I am very happy to see you. Anne and Ruth are married to polygamists. Good, here we go, We’re going to give them a little guided tour. Thanks to her, We will be able to meet several fundamentalist and polygamous families. Heading south to Colorado City, in the small community of Centennial Park. 1500 people live here. At first glance, It looks like a residential subdivision, like thousands of others in the United States. But what is striking here… It’s the size of the houses. Most of the houses here are very large, because there are two, three or more women living in the same house. How many people live in this house? I don’t know, and if I knew, I wouldn’t say it. But there are several women, many children. And a man who has been successful in his profession. And who can afford a beautiful house for his whole family. We are careful about any information that could be used against us. A friend of Ruth’s agreed to meet us anyway. She lives in this big house with her husband, a second wife and about fifteen children. She, She is one of my close friends. And well, We’re going to steal a little bit of his privacy. Good morning, How are you ? Thank you so much for welcoming us into your home. We don’t often invite people like you to our house. That, It’s sure. It’s very rare that we invite people to our house. Because we take a risk by exposing ourselves, us and our family. For example, Both his father and my father were arrested. They both went to prison. Him, he was in prison. Look, I don’t know if you want to see this picture. I would like you to hide their faces. These are my five mothers. All five were taken away by the police with their children in 1953. They were sent to all corners of Arizona. None of them knew where the others were. And it took my mother ten years to come back here. In all, About 20 people live here. So, inevitably, The kitchen resembles that of a large restaurant. In a polygamist’s kitchen, There are three ovens. Two here on the wall and a Large Convection Oven here. We have two baking trays so we can use large canvases. Up there, we have a microwave, two sinks, a large refrigerator and of course, other refrigerators and freezers in the cellar. And there you have it, For example… In these blue basins, What Breakfast Looks Like for Polygamist There, There are six boxes of cereal and a kilo of butter. Actually, everything is done on a larger scale. We don’t take a small bag of peanuts, but a big bag of peanuts. You see, we do everything like you, but bigger. We won’t see any more of it. Priscilla’s husband is due home soon. We have to leave the place before he returns. But for some Amish, using a phone or computer is completely inconceivable. One group in particular rejects any intrusion of modernity into their daily lives. They are the most rigorous, They are called Schwarzentruber. Their farm is recognizable by its red color. In the fields, They still work by hand and do not use any machines. There are only 5,000 of them and they are very secretive. Exceptionally, a family agreed to open their doors to us, on the condition that the faces of adults are not shown, again, for religious reasons. Good morning, Welcome. This is Harvey, 31 years old, farmer and father of 4 children, who welcomes us. They have never seen a camera. In this house, time stood still. In the 19th century. This is where we cook. We put the wood there. We do not use electricity. Everything is heated with wood. The family lives in near self-sufficiency. To drink, They use well water. That, It’s our drinking water. And there… Rainwater that we collect from outside. Everything goes through the roof and into this cistern. This one is not drinkable, but we use it for laundry. Comfort is reduced to the bare minimum. Here, everything is austerity. Even the clothes are darker. Harvey married Anna when he was 22. They hardly ever leave their homes. They never worked in the city. They are forbidden to do so. I would say we are no longer conservative. We don’t use a phone, except for emergencies. We do not call a taxi, except to go to the doctor. We believe that if we go out into the world, we will be involved in things that would lead us to sin, to be in immoral situations. No leisure. No television or radio, Nothing that could turn them away from their belief. Upstairs, children’s rooms. Monastic. Empty walls. No photos. Rules they obey, without really knowing why. I’m not really sure where it comes from. But I think the Bible says not to have pictures of our faces. You listen to music sometimes No, we don’t listen to it. We don’t have any instruments either. The only music we have is the music we sing. But there has recently been a small revolution in the family, highly appreciated by Arvel. It is in the cellar. You have the right to use this song Yes. The Church has given us permission to use it. It’s been two years. It’s very useful in the barn. The refrigerator, on the other hand, is not allowed by their church. They have to keep all the family’s food in jars. SO, we have applesauce, fruits, lots of vegetables, Short, Enough to get through the winter. At this time of year, We begin to slaughter some pigs to build up meat reserves. Self-sufficiency, green energy, The Schwarzentrubers have been practicing ecology for over a century. To provide his family with milk, Harvey has a cow that he milks every day. Like most young Schwarzentruber, Harvey had no choice but to work on the farm. No one is really allowed to go out and work in the city. We try to keep young people away from an environment where they will discover other things, far from temptations. Every evening, before the meal, by the light of the oil lamp, The family prays silently. By keeping their children away from the world, The Schwarzentruber have managed to maintain their culture for over a century. The AMish don’t have smartphones, nor radio, nor television. But they have a newspaper, The Budget. Created in 1890, It is their main source of information. At its head… Marcus Miller. He is not friendly, but his ancestors were. This one worked well this week. The Budget, It’s about fifty pages published each week, without any photos. It’s their hobby, their television, because they don’t have access to modern things. It’s a bit like their Facebook. Like that, they can learn what is happening in the community, to be entertained and still be informed. They see the births, deaths, hospitalizations, things that would be impossible for them to know in these families, so numerous and scattered. Thanks to the newspaper, the whole family knows. Here, no journalist, The entire journal is composed entirely of letters sent by friends. Each day, Marcus receives a hundred, handwritten, often in a very personal style, nothing on the news, but rather everyday life. Here we have a letter from a correspondent to Webster, in Kentucky. It begins with “The leaves are constantly changing, transforming our wooded hills from the green of summer to the red and yellow of autumn. The morning temperatures force us to wear jackets before going out. So they write about what’s happening. The weather, who came, who went to church, this event that took place in the community. The newspaper is a real success. Each issue is distributed in 90,000 copies and its sales continue to grow. After a few days of negotiations, Anne and Ruth finally convinced a family to take us in. They do not belong to any community. They live in the suburbs of Salt Lake City. They agreed to testify on one condition, not to show the front of their house. Travis is 30 years old. He is a site manager. Very young, he married Katie, with whom he had 5 children. After 5 years of marriage, A new woman arrived in the house. This is Priscilla, with whom Travis had 3 children. And the most incredible thing in this story, It’s that Katie chose her husband’s second wife. And she didn’t have to look far Priscilla and her half-sister. It’s not weird going from sister to… To concubine. I don’t think it makes a difference whether we’re sisters. Neither for good, nor in evil. I don’t think it changes anything. For six years now, the two women, Their husband and all their children live under the same roof. Ten people in total. And soon eleven, because Katie is pregnant. As a result, in the kitchen, There is work for everyone. This morning, Katie tidied the kitchen. Priscilla makes the potatoes. Me, I make the omelet and everything, We take care of the children. Everyone does what needs to be done. But him, On the other hand, He’s the omelet pro, so that’s his role. Attention, children! Katie, Travis and Priscilla both grew up in fundamentalist Mormon families. Father, We thank you for this meal. And we ask you this. And we ask you this. In the name of your son. Amen. Amen. For them, Polygamy is a natural way of life. Me, I am very family-oriented. When I was little, I had brothers and sisters all around me. I like camaraderie, the friendship you feel in family. My best friends are my brothers. And I want that for my children. They have the same experience. These are our religious beliefs. We grew up with it, so it’s completely normal for us. You know, we thought, we talked about it. We were married for years before they came into the family. It’s something we wanted in our life, something we wanted for our children. For Priscilla, the second woman, It only took a few weeks of thinking before I agreed to be part of the family. I prayed and found that he was a good father and he seemed like a good husband. Of course, I wanted a good father for my future children. Legally, Katie is Travis’s one and only wife. But in their daily lives, she and Priscilla… They share their husbands. Priscilla lives on this floor with her children and Cathy is downstairs with hers. And you Me ? Where do you live? He lives on both floors. He has his clothes in two wardrobes, on both floors. Really Yes. And how do you do it? Do you have a schedule? Yes, It’s every other night. Each family does as it wishes. We, every other night, It works well. But we are not too strict. If she bought tickets to a show and it falls on my night, so we exchange and they can go out. Seen from the outside, We say to ourselves that he is the man who has the good life. That’s what people think. But if the girls are happy, It’s that I did my job. Because it’s really a job. It’s a lot of work. This is not a game. If it was only sex I was looking for, There are much easier ways to get this. Here, we must build relationships, maintain these relationships, raise children, to work. It’s not about sex. The family lives outside the law. She fully assumes her choice of life, but she is forced to hide it from outside view. At the public school where the children attend, no one really knows their family situation. We have to keep it a secret. It’s hard, but that’s how it is. So, at school, I refer to my half-brothers and sisters as my cousins. And I think of my second mother as an aunt. If I don’t keep the secret, My father could go to prison. I live in fear and I don’t want my children to live with that. And that’s one of the reasons we agreed to do this interview. I want to show the world that we are not bad people. We are a normal family. Fundamentalist Mormons, like Travis and his family, There are an estimated 38,000 of them in the United States. But they are rejected by the official Church, who considers that they give a bad image of Mormons. And that it thus hinders the expansion of the Church in the world. The AMISH do not want to depend on the American social system. They have their own mutual aid fund and rely on the solidarity of all members of the community. In Piterut’s farm, the family is active. They learned that their former neighbor’s newborn, Aaron, had had serious health problems. They immediately organized a collection. I bought some denim fabric to put in Aaron’s box and also some clothespins. Oh yes, I’ll put it back in. In these boxes, anything that could help the family. Basic necessities, but also toys for children. We are still waiting for other cases. Ruth and Yvan haven’t given us theirs yet. Oh yes. Ten other families are participating in the collection. Cathy brought books and lots of other things. “Johanna, apples? “That’s great.” “I made some cookies.” “Ah, These are my favorites. “This is the meaning of our community, to help each other. It is very important to us.” “And we were also helped.” ” Yes, It’s true. ” “It would be very selfish of us to turn our backs on a family in need, to tell them to sort it out. We don’t care, It doesn’t look like us.” Tomorrow, The family will travel more than 100 kilometers to deliver their gifts. But in the meantime, They gather to sing. Piet’s father plays a popular traditional instrument. Amish, the dulcimer, a zither whose origins date back to the Middle Ages. The family sings German religious songs in chorus. The next morning, Pete and Ruth are eager to surprise their neighbors. For the journey, They ordered a car with a driver. Friends are entitled to rides when distances are long. The whole family is on the adventure. Two hours of driving await them. To reach these wooded valleys east of the Ohio, where land is cheaper and young people are trying to settle. Aaron and Mary, Pete and Ruth’s former neighbors, are surprised to see their friends arrive with all these gifts. I hope you enjoy all of this. There’s a little bit of everything. There are many things. Yes, Indeed. Thank you so much. Please. There is even an umbrella. Our children each have an umbrella. And as soon as it rains, they love to go out with. How did you guess? I didn’t know. The couple allows us to enter their home. A house they rent while waiting to have their own. Aaron and Marie were never filmed, but they are proud to show us their family and their latest child. I present to you my wife, Marie, and our baby Levi, our special child. Levi was born with Down syndrome and physical malformations for which he had to undergo surgery. His father slowed down his work on the farm to take care of him. But thanks to donations from the community, family expenses, 70,000 euros in hospital costs, have been fully supported. Among the Amish, children with Down syndrome have a sacred place. They are called God’s special children, because they are different. And that’s when we realize that everything that happens to us comes from God. We try to do our best while having fun with him. Because if we only look at the negative sides, we will spend our lives crying. If we remain too narrow-minded, we will never see the sun hiding behind the dark clouds. Me, I had no trouble accepting it at birth. I had two special sisters. It’s part of life. You just have to take care of their specific needs. That’s how it is. For centuries, unions between friends only take place within the restricted circle of the community, With the consequence of a higher rate of genetic and hereditary diseases specific to groups. In this children’s clinic, created 8 years ago, we only work on these pathologies. Pediatrician, Dr. Wenger belongs to a more modern church, but close to the Amish. Today, She has an appointment with a child who has a hereditary disease that affects the lungs. SO, How is Marc today? He’s fine. But he’s a little nervous at school. If it gets worse and he doesn’t want to go to school anymore, we will have to talk about it. I think he’s on the right track. This morning, he even had breakfast. Ah, good! So sometimes, he doesn’t take it because his stomach hurts Yes, That’s it. Good, We’re going to do your blood test now. Marc has been treated by the pediatrician since birth, in respect of the values of the community. Amish couples do not want to know their genetic profile, nor use contraception, in accordance with the rules of their church. And Dr. Wenger only tells them about it if they ask him. Working here gives me the opportunity to reconcile the values I grew up with and use them to make myself useful. I understand what is important to these families, and I can be their interpreter. Sometimes we have little conflicts, but it’s not very serious. We believe that children are gifts from God, and we know that hereditary diseases can occur. But we love babies, and we rely on God’s will. The mother will not have to pay. Everything is regulated by the community, depending on the income and number of children in each family. It was nice to see you again. I’ll tell your mom how your blood test is, ok? See you soon For about ten years, Dr. Wenger analyzes the Amish genetics of the living community in Ohio. According to our studies, We mostly diagnose children with Down syndrome. Generation after generation, by forcing young people to marry each other, within a small circle, The community’s genetic heritage is impoverished. For one of the goals set by Christ for the Mormons, It is the evangelization of the world. This is the mission of the young faithful. There are said to be nearly 60,000 of them roaming the planet. They are found in Asia, in Africa, in South America. And even in France. Timothy and Logan are American. They are 21 years old. And they are on a mission in Paris. They are here to convert the French. Always in pairs, They roam the streets of the capital. Smile on your lips, impeccable haircut, white shirt and tie, This is the compulsory uniform for missionaries. As a missionary, we want… Not that people see us in T-shirts and jeans, if we’re talking about Christ. We want people to take us seriously. Hello Sir, excuse us just a moment. Sorry, I don’t have any… Okay, Thanks anyway. Bye. Yes, Hello Mrs. Sorry to bother you, but in fact, I am a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ. It’s true ? Okay, Thanks anyway. Bye. For you, have you ever asked the question, What is the purpose of life? Six days a week, from morning to night, They are trying to convince the French. Actually, The Church of Jesus Christ is holy and welcome. They agreed to devote two years of their lives to this mission, without returning home. I would have a chicken sandwich, Please. And, even more astonishingly, They are the ones who finance this stay themselves. They saved almost 7,000 euros for this trip to France, a country known to be difficult for Mormons to convert. I think we can wait a long time for the prophet. I’m not sure it will ever happen. I think it has already arrived. I believe that the prophet was called and that there is a prophet living on earth today. We also believe that we have two apostles again. Two apostles? Two apostles, Yes, again. We could go back, perhaps discuss our point a little more No, but I’m glad I had your point of view, but I think we’ll leave it at that. Did you warn us that France could be difficult? Yes, Many people have told me that… France, it’s a country where you’re not going to have a baptism, You’re not going to have any believers here. You will eat well, but that’s all. In two years, Timothée and Logan only managed to convince 13 French people. But Mormons don’t just convert the living. To our knowledge, It is even today the only religion that also baptizes the dead. This is how many French celebrities became Mormons after their death. Dalida, Louis de Funès, Edith Piaf, but also Yves Saint Laurent and even General de Gaulle. In the late afternoon, It’s milking time. Pete owns 36 cows, just enough to support the family. This is the motor that creates the electricity we use to milk the cows. I installed it myself. It looks complicated. It is, but it works. It’s the diesel engine from an old car that he tinkered with to provide electricity for his entire farm. Pete is not allowed to plug into the local electricity grid. His Church forbids it. Like all Amish, He spends his life dealing with the modern world. I’m happy with that. If we had electricity, it would bring new things to our community, like television. We could easily plug in and watch it. I am against that. I’m not saying it’s bad, but I’ve seen children grow up with it, and that’s not good. I think that to keep our life simple, our traditions, We have to stay out of all that. It is only in the context of work that they are allowed to introduce a little technology. Before, we did it by hand. But for 25 years, we use this machine. It’s easier and we can have more cows. Poorly equipped to face competition, Many Amiche farmers have had to stop their activities in recent years. A great regret for Pete. It changes the way we live. Most of our families are leaving the farms and changing the culture of the amiches. They have more freedom, they go to work, They go out in the evening. They have more leisure time. Some people think I’m a prisoner, but that’s not my opinion. I love what I do. You could sell your farm for a lot of money I could, but I don’t want to. I prefer my farm. What would I do with the money? In my opinion, The farm is worth much more than the money. Pete could sell his farm for more than 2 million euros. But he wants to let his daughter and son-in-law take over and thus perpetuate the tradition. Among the Amish, men and women work tirelessly. Three times a week, Ruth devotes herself to the family’s laundry. She uses machines from the 50s, powered by solar panels. There is my washing machine. And there, This is my wringer. The laundry goes through there and I rinse it twice. The Church does not allow him to use a modern washing machine. It would be easier. But that’s how I’ve always done it. Especially on rainy days. It would be easier to have a clothes dryer. But that’s our way, I believe. In Holmes County, in recent years, Some families bought washing machines. When this became known, They were quickly called to order by church officials. They will tell you… Be careful, stay away from modern things. And they will ask you to stop using them and return them. An austere lifestyle and strict rules that do not prevent some friends from making a fortune. Thanks to their know-how, especially in furniture construction. This is the case of Roy, 61 years old. He runs one of the largest companies in the region. He started manufacturing solid wood furniture 30 years ago. A real success. Thanks to a well-honed marketing argument, quality 100% friendly. It’s a beautiful chair. It lasts a lifetime. You can’t break them unless you want to. The average price of a chair is between 125 and 160 euros. This chair costs 300 euros. We sell a lot of them. It’s good business. Roy employs 30 people, all to Mich. He handcrafts thousands of tables and chairs that are sold across the United States. Its turnover now reaches several million dollars. For Roy, Being successful is not incompatible with Amish culture. We are not limited in what we can earn. The Bible says that money is the root of all evil. But it isn’t if you use it the right way. The AMISH have created their own bank and even investment funds that serve to help the most disadvantaged in the community. We share a lot at home. There are always families in need. This is the Amish community. Everyone participates and helps each other. But I also invest for my retirement. We don’t have social security. So I need to be able to have enough savings to live on for the rest of my days. In his company, Roy applies the doctrine of the Church to the letter. His factory is not connected to the local electricity grid, but operates using a generator powered by a diesel engine. As for women, they have the right to work, but until their marriage, or at least until the birth of their first child. Martha is 22 years old. She has been working here for 3 years, But she will soon be forced to leave the factory to become a good wife. No friendly woman works after marriage, isn’t it No. She sometimes works part-time. When she gets married, She will have to change her mindset. She will have to stop working, take care of the house. And she won’t be paid, but that’s what she’s going to have to do for her future family and her husband. So it’s going to be a big change. I’m going to miss work, Yes. He will miss his colleagues, They are all friends. Women cannot work and raise children at the same time. The Amish don’t do that. Tradition dictates that women take care of and educate children. We don’t want other people to take care of it. And indoctrinates them with ideas that parents would not adhere to. Work outdoors regularly, No, you will never see it. We don’t like it. Martha has no choice. The community forces him to stop. Even though he made a fortune, the boss doesn’t have a luxury car or a private driver, but an electric bike. With which he moves between his different factories. He has set up his office next to his house and works with four of his sons. The first computers arrived ten years ago. It’s so hard to do business without using a computer. We need to make some progress. That’s why we use things now that weren’t allowed before. It is the Church that gives us the limits not to be exceeded. We try to respect what the leaders want. The Church has allowed the use of computers, provided they are not connected to the Internet. They are only used for accounting. As for cell phones, only old models are tolerated, there too, without Internet access. The cell phone, only if it’s a flip phone, not a smartphone. Ohio is almost the only place where you can still find them. They are hardly made anymore. Only the Amish use them. Hélène Radke is 70 years old. She is an ex-Mormon, a dissident. For several years, She investigates the Church archives. This is how she discovered that thousands of Jewish victims of the Holocaust had been baptized after their death and had officially become Mormons. The identity of these Jews, what do they do with it They do not respect the memory of these victims of the Holocaust. I think it is extremely important not to change the identity of these people in any way. The reason why they died, It is important to remember who they were when they died. At the origin of this practice, a Mormon rite, the baptism of the dead. In this film, made by the Church, it is explained that families can be reunited, after death, in heaven. But on one condition, that every member of the family be Mormon. SO, for all deceased ancestors who were never Mormons while alive, There is a solution, Baptize them post-mortem. And this happens in secret. Inside, temples, in its large pools. The person takes on the identity of their ancestor for a few minutes, the time to be completely submerged underwater. When she comes out, his grandfather became a Mormon. The problem, is that some Mormons do not just baptize their ancestors, And that’s how many famous people became Mormons, without having wanted it. And without their family knowing. That, This is a copy of the recording of the baptism of the eldest son of one of the most famous actors in France, Gerard Depardieu. It was his son. Guillaume Depardieu, As this official document proves, was reportedly baptized on February 16 in a temple in Lima, in Peru. And the same month, in a temple in Arizona, It was Thierry Gilardi who, in turn, became a Mormon. Perhaps we are all concerned today. In the heart of Salt Lake City, Family History Library, the world’s largest genealogy center. He belongs to the Mormons. Inside, Enthusiasts of all nationalities come here to find their ancestors in order to establish their family tree. Because since the 1940s, Mormons collect vital records of everyone in the world. Thomas McGill is responsible for the international part of these archives. That, This is the microfilm section. This is where the real work is done. Hallway after hall. Usually, there are lots of people here, but there, It’s late. There are millions of microfilms stored here. This is the international department. In these drawers, thousands of small boxes containing rolls of film on which the dates of birth and death recorded in civil registration records around the world have been photographed. That, It comes from the canton of Geneva, in Switzerland. These are the records of the Calvinist Church of Geneva, dated from 1542 to 1700. To take these photos, Mormons have sent archivists to more than 100 countries. It’s a huge job. It took us 80 years to be able to film all of this. And I think we still have 80 years of work to do. And all this was done with the approval of the countries concerned, like France, for example. Because since 1960, The French administration officially authorizes the Mormon Church to copy all its civil statuses. And that’s how we can find in Salt Lake City. The death certificate of a certain Julien Castebois, died in 1874 in the small town of Gatemeau, in the Channel. But do the French authorities really know why Mormons are doing this archiving work? Baptism of the dead is a very sensitive subject for Mormons. Our guide does not wish to comment officially on this subject. We let the camera roll. That, This is the most sensitive point of our work. This is the reason why many Archives centers do not want to work with us. Because they think we’re doing something weird. We baptize the dead. But what are you talking about? And we get this kind of message across like that on French television, We’re going to have problems. In addition, We are a Church in a country as secular as the France. Imagine if the public finds out. The general council manages everything. And if the General Council… No, the General Council, They have no idea. They have no idea. Today, In France, Mormons therefore continue to collect civil status records. Should we be worried? To answer this question, The Church sends us one of its highest officials, Charles Didier. He is Belgian, he speaks French, and for him… The Church’s objective is very clear. There are 6 billion people on Earth. You may have 55,000 missionaries, you will never arrive. They have to reach 6 billion people. Absolutely agree. So there are billions of people who die over the course, Of course, of history, who have never heard of Jesus Christ, who have never heard of his gospel. We believe that… We must give them this opportunity, if you want, to receive this alliance that they were never able to receive during their lifetime. And what explains, we baptize those who have died, we give them this opportunity. So, in fact, This means that in addition to feeling responsible and having help from the living… We are the dead, why not ? Do you understand that this might be shocking? Yes, Of course. For what Because any religious doctrine is shocking at first sight. Good, Believe in the resurrection… It’s not easy, No. This means that in fact, concretely, my great-grandmother, who was very Catholic, could be Mormon today? Yes, that is, she could accept baptism in the afterlife. She doesn’t have to accept it, She has her book on the window. As a dead person, She has her book on the window Of course, Of course, She always has the freedom to accept or refuse. It’s not imposed, This is what I would call a generous offer. Charles Didier even wants to convince us that the Mormons’ archiving work is also useful to all countries. For that, he takes us an hour’s drive from Salt Lake City, in the mountains. Mormons do more than just collect vital records. They protect them for eternity in these tunnels dug into the rock. They are designed to withstand all natural disasters and even atomic explosions. A secret location guarded day and night. These are the only images of these tunnels filmed by the church. A huge vault where archives are kept at a constant temperature and humidity level. A huge investment that gives Mormons astonishing power today. It is a unique treasure because the archives are destroyed, fires. Destruction by war, etc. And states come to ask us, If it was filmed, could we rebuild our heritage, because it is a heritage. As a result, This means that the States, Ultimately, are dependent on the Church Yes, If they didn’t take care, let’s say, from their own archives, We give them an unexpected gift in certain circumstances, telling them, We did a job, we offer it to you. But I mean, if they have nothing left? We are the only ones who can help them. If Mormons take such great care to protect their records, They are preparing for the worst. They believe that Christ’s return to Earth is coming soon and that, According to the Bible, This return will be preceded by a terrible fight between good and evil, the Apocalypse. Here, for example, is one of their films that can be found on the Internet. We are living in the last days. The predictions of the Lord and the prophets are being fulfilled. The wars and catastrophes heralding Christ’s return to Earth are already here. To prepare for these events, The Church even stocks up on food. Charles Didier takes us to this strange white building. In the heart of Salt Lake City, a 50-meter-high grain silo. Inside, Mormons store wheat. According to the Church, There would be enough here to feed 50,000 people for a year. His goal Be completely self-sufficient in the event of a disaster. Of course there is state aid, of course there is the Red Cross, of course there are all kinds of organizations, but our principle, It is a principle of teaching autonomy. And not to depend on others while sitting back. So plan, it is to govern. So, we must learn to govern ourselves in order to survive. This rule applies to all Mormons. The Church therefore asks each of its faithful to have their own survival supplies at home. And so in Utah an amazing business developed, survivalist stores. Like this one, located in the suburbs of Salt Lake City. Inside, everything to survive disasters. And the manager’s favorite item, This is the survival kit. In this box, jumbled, a small pharmacy, a tent, water, hot bridges, a mini radio. And even a protective mask. If there is a volcanic eruption, you will no longer be able to breathe the air. Or if there are viruses in the air, This might help you. It costs 85 euros and, according to the manager, This allows you to survive. 72 hours. To any disaster. Most of our survival kits are offered in backpack form. If you need to take your things urgently, you grab the backpack and, suddenly, You have your hands free to pick up other things or people. For example, If you have children, you won’t have to choose between the survival kit and the kids. Half of the store is dedicated to food. In these boxes, There are dehydrated products that can be kept for 20 or 30 years. Like those boxes of strawberries. Or these banana slices. They are good. You taste them But the flagship product, This is this lot of cardboard. Inside, only food. It’s called Gourmet 2000. It costs $3699, almost 2700 euros. This is the survival ration for one person for one year. The man in blue is a Mormon. He comes regularly to replenish his stocks. This week, He bought 200 euros worth of freeze-dried food. Why are you stockpiling these things? In case, you never know what might happen. Epidemics, a natural disaster, an economic crisis. There, at least, You have food at home. But for a few years now, The Church communicates less and less about the apocalypse and the end of the world. Because today, Mormons are seeking respectability and recognition. Here is the prophet Thomas Monson in 2008, with George Bush. And last year, at the White House with Barack Obama. The Church seems to be taking an increasing interest in politics. She would even have a candidate for the next presidential election, Mitt Romney. This republican, former governor of Massachusetts and multimillionaire, comes from one of the oldest Mormon families in the country. Officially, it is not supported by the Church, but he makes no secret of his religious beliefs. It’s good that people are talking about my religion and learning more about me and my beliefs. I truly believe that Americans want a man of faith to lead their country. But is America ready to entrust the reins of power to a Mormon? Not so sure. The Church is worried. In Utah, where 70% some residents are Mormons, strange billboards appeared. We can read there “You are not alone” “You are not alone”, a message addressed to all those who want to leave the Mormon church. At the origin of this campaign, Jeff Ricks, an industrial designer, former Mormon, He left the Church 17 years ago. His departure was experienced as a betrayal by his very religious family. From, he hardly sees her anymore. A difficult experience to live through. Today, Jeff decided to help those who, like him, left the church. For that, He created an association and a website. The testimonies he collects worry him. The methods used to keep you in the Church are those of a sect. If you try to leave, they don’t leave you alone, They follow you and try to bring you back. How I would say it like… I would describe it, It’s not a lot of pressure, but rather harassment, like a drip, constant, permanent. And sometimes, This drip is even more disturbing. But what are they doing? They come knocking on your door regularly, they bring you cakes, while what they actually want, It’s just talking about the Church. It seems like simple conversations between neighbors, but in fact, behind all this, the message, it’s come back to the church, come back, be part of the group again. Would you say the Mormon Church is a cult? Personally, Yes, I would say that. In my opinion, The only difference between the Mormon church and a sect… The Mormon Church is much richer. She is better known and probably more respected. In Utah? Leaving the Church can exclude you from society altogether. Jeff organizes meetings for ex-Mormons. Today, It’s in this little restaurant, in this room, a little out of sight. This evening, there are about twenty of them. Five years ago, The first meetings took place almost clandestinely. There were only me and two people who saw my advertisement in the newspaper. We were much more cautious in our conversations. We were talking very quietly over the table, While today, we can hardly hear ourselves speak. Around these tables, former Mormons, but also the faithful, who have just decided to leave the Church. I think the reason people come here, It’s because they feel alone or are afraid of their decisions. That’s why this kind of support group works so well. When you start thinking about leaving the church, we have no one to talk to. Most people don’t want to know why you’re leaving. They just think you’re a traitor and the devil has taken over. That’s what most people think. They think you are a sinner and have lost your soul. It is difficult today to know the exact number of those who decide to leave this religion. The Church communicates mainly about new believers. And, according to her… There are an estimated 300,000 new Mormons every year, not counting the dead. Despite their daily contact with the modern world, The Amish almost never allow outsiders into the family. Which leads some young people to distance themselves from the community. This is the case of Cheryl, She is 30 years old. The young woman left the Amish a year ago. Today, She’s a waitress at this busy downtown cafe. I really like it here. I started in February or March. I’ve been working on it for almost a year. One dollar eleven, Please. I get to meet lots of new people. It was thanks to this work that Cheryl was able to leave. The young woman was part of a very strict group of friends. With his savings, she bought herself a car, his lifelong dream. While driving, she breaks the absolute ban of her community, but she loves it. I feel like a bird in the wild. I can go wherever I want. Cheryl is still a believer. She continues to wear the traditional headdress and dress. But she joined a more liberal religious community. She could no longer bear living with her parents and obeying the overly strict rules of her church. I knew I couldn’t stay friends forever. They always thought I was a rebel because I was the kind of person who always wanted to do something. In my opinion… Stay at home, several nights in a row, It was too much. While my parents, them, wanted us to spend more time together. Staying with family instead of seeing friends. Or whatever. I arrive home. I live in the basement of this house. Cheryl has a date with a friend who comes looking for comfort. Hi, Ant. Hi. How are you GOOD, And you I’m doing well. Niva, is 26 years old. She also couldn’t stand the family pressure. She left the Amish just a month ago. For that, Members of his church are threatening to expel him for two years. She will no longer be able to live with her family, nor participate in community events. If they decided to exclude me… I probably wouldn’t be allowed to eat with my family anymore, nor with any Amish. I feel like I’m ready, but the idea of not being with my family, It’s hard to accept. I don’t know what I would do without them, because I love them despite everything. I wonder if they’re doing this to keep us coming back. Because it’s easier to come back and experience that exclusion. Niva joined Cheryl in a more modern church, that of the Menonites. Close to the Amish, This group is however more permissive. Young women can watch films, use the Internet, but also go out whenever they want. Once a week, in a sports hall, Cheryl joins a group of friends. They are half Menonites, half Amish. The young woman finds her cousin there, a Menonite, Lavonne. He was the one who supported her when she left her church. Among the Amish, Baptism takes place at adulthood. According to the church, It is therefore a considered choice that cannot be questioned. Some Amish churches use baptism as a trap. If we decide to leave the church, They can use blackmail to keep you. Or feel guilty about wanting to leave. Fortunately, I had a cousin and an uncle who helped me. Otherwise, I would never have arrived. But I wouldn’t want to go through that again. In the room, unlike Cheryl, None of the young people want to leave their respective churches. These strict rules, They accept them and none of them imagine marrying outside their community. Like Javin and Marcus, one is Menonite, the other is friendly. Let’s say I meet a girl from his church, Menonie. Then I would have to make a decision. Be with her or stay friends Or, on his side, Will she want to join the friends? It is possible to join the friends, but it rarely happens. It’s such a different way of life that it will be really difficult to adapt. The fear I have when going into the modern world, where I could find a good Christian wife, It’s just that I’m not sure she’ll stay faithful to me. For this youth, difficult to open up to others, to imagine another life. But far from Ohio, There is a place where some friends seem ready to be seduced by the modern world. With its guaranteed sunshine all year round, Florida is one of the favorite destinations for American tourists and retirees. And surprisingly, for several years, It is also where the Amish meet on vacation. They come from December to March to enjoy the sun, away from the cold and snow that plagues them in the northern states. Their HQ is 20 minutes from the beaches. Pinecraft, a town of only half a square kilometer. The first Amish settled there in 1920, and gradually created their own village, 100% Amish. During the high season, the population increases from 100 to 2000 inhabitants, mainly retirees. Vilma is one of the local figures of Pinecraft. She discovered the place 60 years ago and lives there 6 months a year. Vilma works at the restaurant. Der Dutchman, an institution among the Amish. This establishment welcomes more than 500 customers every day. Vilma’s specialty, Amish fruit pie, covered with a generous layer of whipped cream. How old are you ? 78 years old in March. And you continue to work If I don’t work, Do you know what would happen? I would get old and bored. The restaurant is known for its typical Amiche cuisine, But above all, it is a place where families, often scattered across the country, meet up at vacation time. Here, you have several different loaf groups. Formerly, They were driven in big cars. After, They moved on to 15-person jokes. And now, They arrive by the hundreds by bus. While Vilma works, At the other end of the village, her husband, John, indulges in his favorite hobby, The palace game. John is a leading member of his church in Kentucky. We win two. He has seen Pinecraft change over the years, with the arrival of increasingly younger Amish. In my youth, we didn’t travel as much. They didn’t have the means. That’s it. NOW, they are more prosperous and since they have money, they travel. So, the holidays are compatible with the lifestyle at mich Oh yes. But we do not tolerate excessive behavior. And you heard what he said. People have more money. I don’t encourage families or young people to spend a lot of time here. It’s not… We don’t like it. We want to maintain our lifestyle here and even while traveling. Most retired Amish stay in the village and don’t even go to the beach. But the new generation is determined to enjoy seaside leisure activities. In this residential area of Pinecraft, Ryan and Lisa rented a large house for their entire family. They are 29 years old, They came from Iowa with their four children, but also Lisa’s parents and sisters. Ryan, who made his fortune in chicken farming, only allows one week of vacation per year. We’re taking it easy. We don’t do much. We do things, but we don’t work. The house is equipped with all the modern comforts that the AMish do not have at home, and in particular, television. We don’t have a television at home, but here, Yes, as it is a rental house. And you can watch it here? Yes, you can watch agricultural programs and religious music channels, For example. For their stay, Ryan rented an electric golf cart. Hold on tight! A vehicle tolerated here by the Amish community. The family chose Siesta Beach, the most famous beach in the region. 28 degrees and clear water for swimming. It’s the first time the children see the sea. We’re going to stay in the water for a bit. You’re getting closer, Weston? Come on, advance Advance Mom, how far does it go, water The further you go, the deeper it is. But if you stay here, How’s it going. The whole family remains in traditional dress. Among the Amish, we don’t undress in public. We must wear clothes that cover us. We can’t show our bodies like that. We have the right to swim, No Yes, but not here. If it were a private label… We could swim, but not here, in front of everyone. Even under the Florida sun, The couple respects the rules dictated by their church. Young people, them, take more freedom, But there’s no question of going to clubs or bars. The fashionable activity among the Amish, It’s parasailing. These young girls came from Indiana. They are 20 years old and are about to take their first flight. And all that, without taking off their dress. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. And luckily! We have a superb view of God’s world. Here in Florida, all the temptations of the modern world are within reach. Yet, on this boat, no one seems ready to cross the line. There are things in Florida that we wouldn’t do at home, Like watching TV. The rules are perhaps a little more relaxed, But I continue to follow my convictions. We don’t party too much, we don’t drink, none of that. According to a study conducted by an American university, in 2021, upon reaching the age of majority, more than 85% Young Amish choose to stay in their community. Every year, They even settle in new territories. Today, in the United States, The Amish are present in about thirty states.