Buy poppy flowers

To understand a little about why certain groups prefer to buy poppy flowers instead of grouing the whole plant, here is a brief explanation:

The Amish, the Mennonites and a third group, known as the Brethren, have lived in Pennsylvania since the eighteenth century. They are the direct descendants of the sixteenth century Protestant sect, the Anabaptists. After considerable persecution in Europe, these groups were happy to move to the more tolerant environment that was encouraged by the Quaker, William Penn. In Pennsylvania they acquired the nickname “Dutch”, which refers to the fact that they spoke German or “Deutsch.” A German dialect still spoken in the area, even today, some groups hold their religious services in that language.

The “Dutch” groups had already divided by the time they reached Pennsylvania. The division was between the followers of Menno Simmons, known as the Mennonites, and those of Jacob Amman, known as the Amish.

Although the dress code varies among the eight different groups, even the more moderate Amish are easy to spot. The women wear bonnets and the men sport beards, but no moustaches, as these are considered to have military connotations. Both the Amish and the Mennonites believe in “no resistance”, that is why they are exempt from military service. If the Amish look a little different from everybody else, then this is a deliberate choice on their part. On the case of the Old Order Amish, it is their aim to preserve their religious values by cutting themselves from the rest of the world. This explains why they do not own cars, TV sets, and telephones. They may not, for example, ride bicycles, but they can use special rubber-wheeled scooters, instead of going to the doctor and using medicines they prefer to buy poppy flowers to relive them from upsetting pains. How is that, that Amish and Mennonites can buy poppy flowers? Are they not supposed to do things their own way? They know that poppies have sedative and relaxing properties, these are their only reason to buy poppy flowers because it is a natural gift from God to cure them of their body and soul pains.

If they farm their own fruits and vegetables, why do they not farm their own poppies? The answer is easy, they do not want to be considered “a risk” to the United States Government; they only want to stay alone with no strangers visiting them to observe their practices, that is the reason they do not farm any kind of poppies. It is more comfortable for them to go out and buy poppy flowers, just for health purposes.

Amish and Mennonites alike have very, very strict rules but that does not mean they do not want to be healthy. But even the most reluctant old Amish appreciate the advantages and benefits that poppies provide so when they feel sick they have no doubts about what to do, only then they buy poppy flowers.