For most of the year, many of the Amish faith have uncharacteristically been keeping an ear out for news seeping from an Ohio courtroom. An Amish man named Samuel Mullet Sr. was charged with orchestrating a series of violent hair and beard cuttings of other Amish men and women because he felt they had strayed from their conservative beliefs.
Thursday night the verdict was handed down as a federal jury found the 66-year-old Mullet guilty — along with 15 others in his breakaway sect — of the attacks that involved the unwilling cutting of hair, which has spiritual significance in the Amish faith. The victims were both Amish men who grew long beards and Amish women who also allowed their hair to grow long. The 16 defendants face prison terms of 10 years or more at their scheduled Jan. 24, 2013, sentencing.
Furthermore, the judge determined that since the crimes involved religion, they are deemed “hate crimes.” Mullet said in an interview last year that he essentially had the right to punish his people in his Amish group if they failed to obey and live up to the standards of Amish religion.
Rarely does the Amish faith and secular law intersect. The Amish are valuable and respected members of our community here in Indiana and in other communities throughout the country. Normally, they are well-equipped to handle matters in their own house. This situation with Mr. Mullet and the other defendants strayed beyond those capabilities.
One of the great aspects of this country is that our people are free to follow the religion of their choosing. They are free to interpret the word of God as they see it. They are not free to assault others as a result of their own illusions of self-importance. Mullet’s orchestrating was an act of assault and it was against the law, which in our land still supersedes the Amish rank and file.
We are thankful for our Amish neighbors here in our community and respect their lifestyle. Their presence and contributions help make this community special and unique. Mr. Mullet’s actions should be punishable by American law, but certainly should not diminish the overall reputation of a productive, unique, God-fearing and law-abiding faith.
Opinion
Mullet’s crime belonged in a court of law, not the Amish church
- Opinion
-
-
Keep taking those weather reports seriously
If you lacked a peaceful, easy feeling Wednesday, you weren’t alone. Throughout the day, media outlets were abuzz with breaking news: A massive line of storms was heading across the Midwest, and Michiana was in its path.
-
Consistent battle plan would help with drug war
Wednesday night, employees at a Goshen convenience store inadvertently found themselves in the middle of the battle over synthetic drugs underway in Indiana.
-
Goshen High School needs a new pool
For the past six months, the proposed $35.5 Goshen community center project made for lively lunch counter conversation here in Goshen.
-
Graduation is a time to reflect
You’ve seen the pictures in The Goshen News. You might have been there when the photos were taken.
-
Photo spurs discussion about farm safety
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then we at The Goshen News have nearly received our quota.
-
Replacement of mascot statue the right thing to do
Sometimes it is tough to do the right thing. And sometimes the right thing has to be done at the right time to achieve lasting change. That’s how we feel about the removal, and now the replacement of, the Native American Indian statue in the Goshen High School gymnasium.
-
A road to new bus solutions
This is a situation of that pesky “hidden cost” rearing its ugly head.
-
Golson's lesson goes beyond wins and loses
It was around 10 p.m. this past Saturday when preliminary reports about Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson’s future with the football team began to seep out through social media and “breaking news” tickers.
-
Take a moment to honor those who sacrificed
You’re probably off work Monday.
-
Council makes a smart move on tax breaks
The Goshen City Council’s adoption of a tax phase-in policy for local governments will help bring uniformity to a competitive process that has pitted local governments against each other.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
Keep taking those weather reports seriously
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
Raw: Obama Arrives in Berlin
3 Charged in Ohio With Enslaving Mom, Daughter
Obama Seeks G-8 Support on Syria
Raw: Volcano Erupts Near Mexico City
Kid Couture: Spending Big Bucks on Babies
Suicide Bombs Target Baghdad Mosque, Killing 29
Military Plans to Put Women in Combat Jobs
Solar Power Chargers in NYC Parks
Civil Rights Groups Sue NYPD Over Muslim Spying
Raw: First Lady, Daughters Enjoy Irish Sights
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
Boeing, Airbus Battle for Sales Supremacy
NYC 911 Call Lasts for 8 Hours
