The Amish church frowns on government aid but they accept unemployment checks

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-sun-amish-unemployed-apr19,0,1055868.story

Amish workers hit hard by recession

After wave of layoffs, leaders change policy, OK jobless aid

By Joshua Boak | Tribune Reporter
April 19, 2009

GOSHEN, Ind.—The Amish are defined by their religious beliefs, shunning modern conventions such as automobiles, insurance and electricity in their houses.

But some of the Amish in hard-hit northern Indiana realize they can no longer avoid another newfangled idea: unemployment checks.

The Amish church frowns on government aid but relented on unemployment checks after a wave of layoffs stung Amish laborers in this settlement 120 miles east of Chicago. Church leaders justified the decision because workers are collecting on the unemployment taxes they already paid into the system.

"No one says go out and do it," explained Eli Miller, 72, an Amish bishop who also prepares income tax returns. "But when they have to feed their families, we thought it would be OK to accept some of it, even though we would rather not."