Latest news with #OldColonyMennonites
New York Times
15-06-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
The Mennonite Colony That Made a Deal With a Diamond Company
Not long ago, the field where Charlotte Itala picks corn with her friends was a hunting ground where people in her small African village caught antelope, boar and forest buffalo. Now that land has been plowed over by her new employers, a group of Old Colony Mennonites. The Mennonites, adherents of a Christian sect founded in the 16th century, number nearly 60 people in all, most of whom set out from Mexico almost a year ago to establish a settlement in northeastern Angola. As part of an agreement with a diamond mining company, they have cleared and cultivated nearly 2,000 acres, hoping to build a community that other Mennonites from the Americas can join. DEMOCRATIC REP. OF CONGO Cambanze Luanda Lunda Norte Angola Zambia namibia 200 miles By The New York Times The new families, who use shipping containers as makeshift homes, have impressed some Angolans but raised fears among others. In Ms. Itala's village, Cambanze, some worry that the Mennonites may be just the latest outsiders to move in with little regard for the people who live there. 'If they take our land, we won't be able to grow our cassava — and then what are we going to eat?' said Ms. Itala, who makes $2.50 for seven hours of work in the Mennonites' field. The money does not make up for the loss of her village's hunting ground, she said. 'We are worried for our future.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Who are the Mennonites in a Texas community where measles is spreading?
The Mennonite population being affected by a measles outbreak in West Texas is part of a larger, loosely affiliated group of churches worldwide with varied beliefs and leadership structures — and with sometimes strained or distant relations with health officials and other public authorities. Who are the Mennonites? Mennonites are part of the wider Anabaptist family of churches, which emerged in 1525 as the radical wing of the Protestant Reformation in Central Europe. Other Anabaptist branches today include the Amish, Brethren and Hutterites. Anabaptists believed that a true biblical church had to follow such principles as non-violence, unconditional forgiveness, adult baptism, church discipline, and a refusal to bear arms or swear oaths. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Early Anabaptists suffered persecution and martyrdom under Catholic and Protestant rulers in Europe, a history that still influences some groups today in their suspicion of governmental authorities, including public health officials. Mennonites, named for an early leader, Menno Simons, vary widely in practice today. Some Mennonites have largely assimilated into mainstream culture and dress, with a focus on working for peace and social justice in the larger society. Other Mennonites maintain traditions similar to the Amish, with tight-knit, separatist communities marked by such things as limited technology, nonviolence, male leadership and traditional dress, including women's head coverings. Still others are somewhere on a continuum between such practices. There are more than 2 million baptized believers in 86 countries in Anabaptist-related churches, according to the Mennonite World Conference What are Old Colony Mennonites in Texas? The outbreak has particularly affected Gaines county and some adjacent areas. While it's not immediately clear which Mennonite community has been affected, the Gaines County area includes a community with a distinctive history. Many other North American Amish and Mennonites trace their roots to immigration directly from Western Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries, said Steven Nolt, professor of history and Anabaptist Studies at Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania. In contrast, the Seminole area includes a community of Old Colony Mennonites, which has a much more circuitous history of migration, Nolt said. Old Colony Mennonites migrated first to the Russian Empire, then to Canada, then to Mexico, fleeing government pressures to assimilate, according to Nolt. As economic conditions deteriorated in Mexico, some moved to such areas as Gaines County and other communities in Texas and nearby states in the 1980s and 1990s. All along, they have preserved their Low German dialect and other cultural distinctions. Gaines County is also home to one of the highest rates of school-aged children in Texas who have opted out of at least one required vaccine, with nearly 14% skipping a required dose last school year. What are Mennonite views on vaccines? 'Historically and theologically, there has not been any religious teaching against immunization in Mennonite circles,' Nolt said via email. 'There's no religious prohibition, no body of religious writing on it at all. That said, more culturally conservative Mennonite (and Amish) groups have tended to be under-immunized or partially-immunized.' Partly, he said, that's because they don't engage as regularly with health care systems as more assimilated groups do. Many traditional Anabaptist groups did accept vaccinations that were promoted in the mid-20th century, such as for tetanus and smallpox, but they have been more skeptical in recent years of newly introduced vaccines, Nolt said. But Old Colony groups who arrived in the late 20th century also 'missed the whole mid-century immunization push, as they weren't in the U.S. at that time." What are state laws on student exemptions from vaccines? All 50 states and the District of Columbia require vaccines for students to attend school, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Many states align their mandates with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All states allow exemptions for medical reasons, while most allow exemptions for religious or personal reasons, or both. Only five states — California, Connecticut, Maine, New York and West Virginia — have allowed no non-medical exemptions, according to the conference, but West Virginia is taking steps this year to allow religious or philosophical exemptions. Texas law allows exemptions for 'reasons of conscience, including a religious belief.' U.S. kindergarten vaccination rates dipped in 2023, and the proportion of children with exemptions rose to an all-time high, according to federal data posted in 2024. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
The Independent
26-02-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Who are the Mennonites in a Texas community where measles is spreading?
The Mennonite population being affected by a measles outbreak in West Texas is part of a larger, loosely affiliated group of churches worldwide with varied beliefs and leadership structures — and with sometimes strained or distant relations with health officials and other public authorities. Who are the Mennonites? Mennonites are part of the wider Anabaptist family of churches, which emerged in 1525 as the radical wing of the Protestant Reformation in Central Europe. Other Anabaptist branches today include the Amish, Brethren and Hutterites. Anabaptists believed that a true biblical church had to follow such principles as non-violence, unconditional forgiveness, adult baptism, church discipline, and a refusal to bear arms or swear oaths. Early Anabaptists suffered persecution and martyrdom under Catholic and Protestant rulers in Europe, a history that still influences some groups today in their suspicion of governmental authorities, including public health officials. Mennonites, named for an early leader, Menno Simons, vary widely in practice today. Some Mennonites have largely assimilated into mainstream culture and dress, with a focus on working for peace and social justice in the larger society. Other Mennonites maintain traditions similar to the Amish, with tight-knit, separatist communities marked by such things as limited technology, nonviolence, male leadership and traditional dress, including women's head coverings. Still others are somewhere on a continuum between such practices. There are more than 2 million baptized believers in 86 countries in Anabaptist-related churches, according to the Mennonite World Conference What are Old Colony Mennonites in Texas? The outbreak has particularly affected Gaines county and some adjacent areas. While it's not immediately clear which Mennonite community has been affected, the Gaines County area includes a community with a distinctive history. Many other North American Amish and Mennonites trace their roots to immigration directly from Western Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries, said Steven Nolt, professor of history and Anabaptist Studies at Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania. In contrast, the Seminole area includes a community of Old Colony Mennonites, which has a much more circuitous history of migration, Nolt said. Old Colony Mennonites migrated first to the Russian Empire, then to Canada, then to Mexico, fleeing government pressures to assimilate, according to Nolt. As economic conditions deteriorated in Mexico, some moved to such areas as Gaines County and other communities in Texas and nearby states in the 1980s and 1990s. All along, they have preserved their Low German dialect and other cultural distinctions. Gaines County is also home to one of the highest rates of school-aged children in Texas who have opted out of at least one required vaccine, with nearly 14% skipping a required dose last school year. What are Mennonite views on vaccines? 'Historically and theologically, there has not been any religious teaching against immunization in Mennonite circles,' Nolt said via email. 'There's no religious prohibition, no body of religious writing on it at all. That said, more culturally conservative Mennonite (and Amish) groups have tended to be under-immunized or partially-immunized.' Partly, he said, that's because they don't engage as regularly with health care systems as more assimilated groups do. Many traditional Anabaptist groups did accept vaccinations that were promoted in the mid-20th century, such as for tetanus and smallpox, but they have been more skeptical in recent years of newly introduced vaccines, Nolt said. But Old Colony groups who arrived in the late 20th century also 'missed the whole mid-century immunization push, as they weren't in the U.S. at that time." What are state laws on student exemptions from vaccines? All 50 states and the District of Columbia require vaccines for students to attend school, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Many states align their mandates with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All states allow exemptions for medical reasons, while most allow exemptions for religious or personal reasons, or both. Only five states — California, Connecticut, Maine, New York and West Virginia — have allowed no non-medical exemptions, according to the conference, but West Virginia is taking steps this year to allow religious or philosophical exemptions. Texas law allows exemptions for 'reasons of conscience, including a religious belief.' U.S. kindergarten vaccination rates dipped in 2023, and the proportion of children with exemptions rose to an all-time high, according to federal data posted in 2024. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Who are the Mennonites in a Texas community where measles is spreading?
The Mennonite population being affected by a measles outbreak in West Texas is part of a larger, loosely affiliated group of churches worldwide with varied beliefs and leadership structures — and with sometimes strained or distant relations with health officials and other public authorities. Who are the Mennonites? Mennonites are part of the wider Anabaptist family of churches, which emerged in 1525 as the radical wing of the Protestant Reformation in Central Europe. Other Anabaptist branches today include the Amish, Brethren and Hutterites. Anabaptists believed that a true biblical church had to follow such principles as non-violence, unconditional forgiveness, adult baptism, church discipline, and a refusal to bear arms or swear oaths. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Early Anabaptists suffered persecution and martyrdom under Catholic and Protestant rulers in Europe, a history that still influences some groups today in their suspicion of governmental authorities, including public health officials. Mennonites, named for an early leader, Menno Simons, vary widely in practice today. Some Mennonites have largely assimilated into mainstream culture and dress, with a focus on working for peace and social justice in the larger society. Other Mennonites maintain traditions similar to the Amish, with tight-knit, separatist communities marked by such things as limited technology, nonviolence, male leadership and traditional dress, including women's head coverings. Still others are somewhere on a continuum between such practices. There are more than 2 million baptized believers in 86 countries in Anabaptist-related churches, according to the Mennonite World Conference What are Old Colony Mennonites in Texas? The outbreak has particularly affected Gaines county and some adjacent areas. While it's not immediately clear which Mennonite community has been affected, the Gaines County area includes a community with a distinctive history. Many other North American Amish and Mennonites trace their roots to immigration directly from Western Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries, said Steven Nolt, professor of history and Anabaptist Studies at Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania. In contrast, the Seminole area includes a community of Old Colony Mennonites, which has a much more circuitous history of migration, Nolt said. Old Colony Mennonites migrated first to the Russian Empire, then to Canada, then to Mexico, fleeing government pressures to assimilate, according to Nolt. As economic conditions deteriorated in Mexico, some moved to such areas as Gaines County and other communities in Texas and nearby states in the 1980s and 1990s. All along, they have preserved their Low German dialect and other cultural distinctions. Gaines County is also home to one of the highest rates of school-aged children in Texas who have opted out of at least one required vaccine, with nearly 14% skipping a required dose last school year. What are Mennonite views on vaccines? 'Historically and theologically, there has not been any religious teaching against immunization in Mennonite circles,' Nolt said via email. 'There's no religious prohibition, no body of religious writing on it at all. That said, more culturally conservative Mennonite (and Amish) groups have tended to be under-immunized or partially-immunized.' Partly, he said, that's because they don't engage as regularly with health care systems as more assimilated groups do. Many traditional Anabaptist groups did accept vaccinations that were promoted in the mid-20th century, such as for tetanus and smallpox, but they have been more skeptical in recent years of newly introduced vaccines, Nolt said. But Old Colony groups who arrived in the late 20th century also 'missed the whole mid-century immunization push, as they weren't in the U.S. at that time." ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Associated Press
26-02-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Who are the Mennonites in a Texas community where measles is spreading?
The Mennonite population being affected by a measles outbreak in West Texas is part of a larger, loosely affiliated group of churches worldwide with varied beliefs and leadership structures — and with sometimes strained or distant relations with health officials and other public authorities. Who are the Mennonites? Mennonites are part of the wider Anabaptist family of churches, which emerged in 1525 as the radical wing of the Protestant Reformation in Central Europe. Other Anabaptist branches today include the Amish, Brethren and Hutterites. Anabaptists believed that a true biblical church had to follow such principles as non-violence, unconditional forgiveness, adult baptism, church discipline, and a refusal to bear arms or swear oaths. Early Anabaptists suffered persecution and martyrdom under Catholic and Protestant rulers in Europe, a history that still influences some groups today in their suspicion of governmental authorities, including public health officials. Mennonites, named for an early leader, Menno Simons, vary widely in practice today. Some Mennonites have largely assimilated into mainstream culture and dress, with a focus on working for peace and social justice in the larger society. Other Mennonites maintain traditions similar to the Amish, with tight-knit, separatist communities marked by such things as limited technology, nonviolence, male leadership and traditional dress, including women's head coverings. Still others are somewhere on a continuum between such practices. There are more than 2 million baptized believers in 86 countries in Anabaptist-related churches, according to the Mennonite World Conference What are Old Colony Mennonites in Texas? The outbreak has particularly affected Gaines county and some adjacent areas. While it's not immediately clear which Mennonite community has been affected, the Gaines County area includes a community with a distinctive history. Many other North American Amish and Mennonites trace their roots to immigration directly from Western Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries, said Steven Nolt, professor of history and Anabaptist Studies at Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania. In contrast, the Seminole area includes a community of Old Colony Mennonites, which has a much more circuitous history of migration, Nolt said. Old Colony Mennonites migrated first to the Russian Empire, then to Canada, then to Mexico, fleeing government pressures to assimilate, according to Nolt. As economic conditions deteriorated in Mexico, some moved to such areas as Gaines County and other communities in Texas and nearby states in the 1980s and 1990s. All along, they have preserved their Low German dialect and other cultural distinctions. Gaines County is also home to one of the highest rates of school-aged children in Texas who have opted out of at least one required vaccine, with nearly 14% skipping a required dose last school year. What are Mennonite views on vaccines? 'Historically and theologically, there has not been any religious teaching against immunization in Mennonite circles,' Nolt said via email. 'There's no religious prohibition, no body of religious writing on it at all. That said, more culturally conservative Mennonite (and Amish) groups have tended to be under-immunized or partially-immunized.' Partly, he said, that's because they don't engage as regularly with health care systems as more assimilated groups do. Many traditional Anabaptist groups did accept vaccinations that were promoted in the mid-20th century, such as for tetanus and smallpox, but they have been more skeptical in recent years of newly introduced vaccines, Nolt said. But Old Colony groups who arrived in the late 20th century also 'missed the whole mid-century immunization push, as they weren't in the U.S. at that time.'
