Mennonites are a religious group that dates back to the 16th century Protestant Reformation. They are historically known for living simple lives, rejecting modern conveniences, and avoiding technology like television. However, Mennonites today are not a monolithic group – there is actually a fair amount of diversity in their use of technology like TV. In this article, we’ll take a close look at whether Mennonites watch TV, examining the history, traditions, and modern realities that shape their relationship with television.
The Mennonite emphasis on simplicity and separation from the world
At their core, Mennonites have always valued simplicity, humility, community, and separation from the influences of mainstream society. This has roots in the theology and teachings of their founders like Menno Simons. Mennonites believe that many aspects of modern culture – like violence, greed, and individualism – run counter to Christian values. Throughout their history, they have tried to create communities and lifestyles removed from worldly influences.
This engrained suspicion of worldly influences has led many traditional Mennonites to shun modern technologies like television. Watching TV exposes one to violence, sexual content, advertising, and values that conflict with Mennonite beliefs. Many Mennonites believed that television fueled individualism rather than community, selfishness rather than service, and vanity rather than humility. For these reasons, television long remained taboo in most old-order Mennonite groups.
Traditional groups continue to shun TV
The most conservative Mennonite groups, like the Old Order Amish and Mennonites, continue to prohibit television viewing. This includes groups like the Holdeman Mennonites, Noah Hoover Mennonites, Stauffer Mennonites, and Hostetler Mennonites. These groups seek to live simple agrarian lives using technology sparingly. The values of nonconformity to the world and separation from worldly influences remain strong among them. Television represents influences like violence, greed, and conflict with their values, so it is not permitted.
Some key facts about TV use among the most traditional Mennonite groups:
- Television viewing is completely prohibited. Owning a TV is grounds for excommunication.
- Some may use television indirectly – for example, viewing videos for occupational training.
- Rules are set and enforced by the church, not individual conscience.
- Youth are taught that television is a worldly influence to be avoided.
- They believe television erodes family and community life.
For instance, the popular Mennonite cookbooks and writings of Elizabeth Coblentz provide a window into traditional Mennonite views on technology. She writes, “We have discovered that television weakens family ties and takes time from more worthwhile activities.” This sums up why conservative groups continue to prohibit TV.
Most modern Mennonites do permit television
However, outside the most conservative groups, Mennonites do permit and watch television today. While separation from the world remains an important value, most Mennonite churches allow members to decide their own limits on technology use. Here are some key points:
- The majority of Mennonite churches no longer prohibit TV, including moderate groups like Mennonite Church USA.
- Mennonites believe discipleship entails voluntarily minimizing exposure to questionable content.
- Rather than banning TV, there is emphasis on tempering and monitoring media use.
- Parents still exert significant influence over children’s media habits.
- Some may limit content and time spent watching TV.
Research suggests that about 20-25% of Mennonites continue to abstain from television based on religion or ethics. But most feel that carefully monitored TV, internet, radio, and films are acceptable. The priority is still placed on separation from worldly values, but this is now seen as an exercise in wise discernment rather than total rejection of new media technologies. Parents emphasize guiding children toward constructive uses of technology and media.
So in short, most Mennonites do permit and engage with television in a tempered, value-driven manner. But the most traditional groups maintain a TV ban.
Factors influencing Mennonite TV habits
What explains the range of attitudes that modern Mennonites hold toward TV? Here are some key factors that shape whether Mennonites accept television or shun it completely:
1. Affiliation with conservative vs progressive groups
The most conservative Mennonite groups like Old Order Amish ban TV entirely, while more progressive churches leave the decision up to individuals. So Mennonite attitudes toward television closely track their overall doctrinal conservatism.
2. Rural vs urban locations
Rural Mennonites who farm for a living tend to be more conservative and traditional than urban communities. Isolation and agrarian lifestyles reinforce suspicion of worldly influences. Urban Mennonites integrate TV more readily.
3. Generational differences
Younger Mennonites have grown up with technology as a normal part of life. Older generations continue to view television more skeptically as a source of inappropriate values and content. But even among the old, attitudes are softening.
4. Family influences
If parents prohibit television, children will likely follow suit out of obedience and conformity to community norms. But permissive parents open the door for children to embrace TV.
So a Mennonite’s relationship with television depends heavily on factors like their subgroup affiliation, location, generation, and family. The overall trend is toward greater acceptance of regulated TV use, but pockets of resistance remain.
A case study: Mennonites and media use in Canada
A 2007 study published in the Journal of Mennonite Studies provides helpful data on media habits among Canadian Mennonites. Researchers surveyed over 1,300 members of the Mennonite Church Eastern Canada. Here are a few relevant findings:
- 97% reported owning a TV, indicating widespread adoption.
- 73% said they watched shows like news and weather daily.
- Only 5% said they never watched television.
- On average, respondents watched 10 hours of TV per week.
- Younger Mennonites (under 35) consumed much more media than older groups.
- 70% agreed that too much TV is viewed in their home.
This study shows that most Mennonites have integrated television into daily life. Young Mennonites appear voracious in video and media consumption. At the same time, they realize television needs judicious monitoring to minimize any adverse effects.
Table: Hours of TV viewed per week by age
| Age | Average Hours of TV Per Week |
|---|---|
| 18-24 | 16.2 |
| 25-34 | 14.1 |
| 35-44 | 11.4 |
| 45-54 | 12.5 |
| 55-64 | 13.1 |
| Over 65 | 10.9 |
This table summarizes the study’s findings on TV viewing by age. It shows that young adult Mennonites watch substantially more than seniors (over 16 hours versus 11 hours). But even the oldest group watches nearly 11 hours per week, underscoring TV’s wide acceptance.
Perspectives from Mennonites on television
To better understand modern Mennonite perspectives, here are some quotes from members describing their relationship with TV:
“Our family decided not to own a TV. The values portrayed conflict too much with our Christian ethics. We want to protect our children’s innocence and imagination.” – Aaron K., Old Order Mennonite
“I love watching shows on Netflix and YouTube but try to avoid violence, bad language and sex scenes. Moderation is important.” – Emily S., 21, Mechanicstown Mennonite Church
“I let my young children watch about an hour of TV a day. We focus on educational programs and monitor what they view. TV isn’t evil but does require wisdom in use.” – Mark Y., pastor at Rochester Mennonite Church
“My parents didn’t allow us to have a TV growing up. But today I probably watch 2-3 hours a day – I just make sure to avoid inappropriate content.” – Michelle W., Steinbach Mennonite Church
These perspectives reflect the spectrum of attitudes among modern Mennonites – from shunning TV altogether to embracing regulated use. But all emphasize prudence and minimizing worldly influences, in keeping with Mennonite values.
Conservative Mennonites develop alternate media
An interesting trend among conservative Mennonites is the development of in-group media alternatives to compete with mainstream television’s influence. Since they shun secular media, groups like the Holdeman and Berea Amish-Mennonites have created their own videos, radio, newspapers, and magazines. This content reinforces their values and shields members from questionable outside content.
Examples include the widely read Family Life monthly magazine, Young Companion for kids, and Blackboard Bulletin teaching videos. These demonstrate how conservative Mennonites adapt old media formats like print magazines and video for their purposes. Rather than embracing new technologies quickly, they accept them selectively only once their usefulness is proven. This allows them to maintain separation from the mainstream world.
Conclusion
To conclude, Mennonites have a complex relationship with television rooted in their religious traditions, simple lifestyles, and separation from the world. Most modern Mennonites permit regulated TV use, while the most traditional groups maintain a ban on television. But even those who watch TV emphasize monitoring content and time spent in front of the screen. And conservative groups demonstrate creativity in developing their own media to meet needs without compromising values. So while practices vary widely, a core ethic of simplicity and separation from worldly influences remains at the heart of Mennonite media habits.