Back in November of last year, sixteen Amish men and women were arrested for cutting the beards and hair of their Amish neighbors. The sixteen are members of a break away sect led by Samuel Mullet and have been accused of being a cult. (Click here for more information http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/24/us/7-arrested-in-hair-cutting-attacks-on-amish-in-ohio.html?_r=1&ref=us) They are on trial now.

These members of the Amish church aren’t saying that they are innocent, but that they did it out of compassion for the victims, trying to bring them back into the fold. The sixteen are members of a break away sect led by Samuel Mullet and have been accused of being a cult. But the formal charges include conspiracy, destroying evidence, and hate crimes. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/29/us/lawyers-say-amish-charged-in-beard-cutting-attacks-acted-out-of-compassion.html

I find it incredibly sad that when we hear about the Amish in the news,  it is always bad news. I’m certain that people who live in states with a higher population of Amish residents hear more good than bad. But what about the rest of us–those states with small communities or none at all? Could somebody please report some good news? I  definitely think it’s time. Or maybe that’s why we love Amish fiction so much. Thoughts? Please leave a comment. I’d love to hear what you think.