The Search for Peace in Times of Chaos—Volume Over the years, there have been several issues that have affected the Amish population Because they have continued to keep themselves separate from the rest of the world, and because they discouraged marriage outside the faith, they have a very small gene pool to work with Due to this fact, they have started to develop some genetic issues within their communities That being said, the percentage of people that leave the faith is extremely low There have been a number of changes over the last few decades that have significantly impacted Amish culture The rising cost of farm land has forced some Amish to take outside jobs while remaining in their community Some developed home businesses, creating traditional Amish crafts for sale Others founded commercial enterprises Several Amish entrepreneurs operate health food stores that cater to the Amish as well as to their non-Amish neighbors “In the one-year period from 2009 to 2010, the Amish of North America show an estimated population growth of five percent, increasing from 237,500 in 2009 to 249,500 in 2010.”1 There are no more recent stats on line, however it is suggested that their birthrate alone would increase membership numbers approximately 20 percent per year. The Amish as a faith community were catapulted into the limelight in 2010 with the Lifetime Movie , based on the true story of the horrendous shooting of ten Amish school children in 2006 The emphasis on forgiveness and reconciliation in the response of the Amish community was widely discussed in the national media God or Gods “Both Mennonites and Amish believe in one God eternally existing as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit They believe that He is the Creator of all things visible and invisible; that He, in six days, created, made, and prepared, heaven and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is.”2They believe that the Holy Spirit resides with them constantly and will give them a personal conviction of any sin they might commit They also feel that the Holy Spirit prompts them and also empowers believers for service and holy living They teach that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ, a free gift bestowed by God on those who repent and believe ~ ~