Mennonites and Crime
Honestly yet sad to say, the ones who are the most involved in law-breaking, primarily domestic incidents, are the Old Colony Mennonites from northern Belize. This unfortunately falls more often on the lower-income families than on the richer guys who own big businesses and can negotiate deals with the police. Some fathers physically abuse their children, many are caught up in shady little businesses such as unlicensed firearms and ammunition, there are cruel beatings, and both teen boys and older men sometimes sit in jail. There are still those who uphold a strict moral life but without any spiritual attachment. The everlasting plague of drug dealing is also present.
The Old Order Mennonites of central and south Belize are very tame and quiet compared to their brothers up north. Many mistake them for Amish due to their calm lifestyle. Rarely will you hear of any violence within their groups. There is more spiritual life in their teachings and that of course plays a big factor, but there have been isolated cases where police were called in to deal with some fishy situations.
The Kleine Gemeinde and other liberal Mennonites of Spanish Lookout and Blue Creek have had their share of involvement in the crime world. The majority of Kleine Gemeinde live a strict moral life equating it with salvation and thus upholding their reputation. But a rigid moral life does not bring spiritual fulfillment, which is why there have been embarassing scandals now and then. A few of the more powerful Mennonites have become very good friends with police officers and politicians. This greatly helps them in getting out of sticky situations. After all, it's a small country. Interestingly, they prefer to stay out of politics yet secretly buy the police officers and political guys. However this is certainly not a reflection of all the Kleine Gemeindes though, nor is it my intention of giving them a black eye.
Non-conservative Mennonites from EMMC and other Pentecostal-type churches have been caught up in dealings with the law-breaking, but only here and there and often it's just a minor skirmish.
Now the Beachy and Conservative(whitecaps as some know them) and also the Holdeman churches are made up of a variety of cultures and backgrounds. I won't say they are never involved in crime but due their doctrinal views and Biblical principles, it is very rare that baptized members of their churches will be involved in crime.
White-skinned, Plautdietsch Mennonites have been the targets of armed robberies and shootings sometimes.
Now this article isn't about pointing out which Mennonite group is the best or the worst. I have lived, slept, worked, played, and sweated with different Mennonites since I was born. I'm only describing their life here in Belize.
The Old Order Mennonites of central and south Belize are very tame and quiet compared to their brothers up north. Many mistake them for Amish due to their calm lifestyle. Rarely will you hear of any violence within their groups. There is more spiritual life in their teachings and that of course plays a big factor, but there have been isolated cases where police were called in to deal with some fishy situations.
The Kleine Gemeinde and other liberal Mennonites of Spanish Lookout and Blue Creek have had their share of involvement in the crime world. The majority of Kleine Gemeinde live a strict moral life equating it with salvation and thus upholding their reputation. But a rigid moral life does not bring spiritual fulfillment, which is why there have been embarassing scandals now and then. A few of the more powerful Mennonites have become very good friends with police officers and politicians. This greatly helps them in getting out of sticky situations. After all, it's a small country. Interestingly, they prefer to stay out of politics yet secretly buy the police officers and political guys. However this is certainly not a reflection of all the Kleine Gemeindes though, nor is it my intention of giving them a black eye.
Non-conservative Mennonites from EMMC and other Pentecostal-type churches have been caught up in dealings with the law-breaking, but only here and there and often it's just a minor skirmish.
Now the Beachy and Conservative(whitecaps as some know them) and also the Holdeman churches are made up of a variety of cultures and backgrounds. I won't say they are never involved in crime but due their doctrinal views and Biblical principles, it is very rare that baptized members of their churches will be involved in crime.
White-skinned, Plautdietsch Mennonites have been the targets of armed robberies and shootings sometimes.
Now this article isn't about pointing out which Mennonite group is the best or the worst. I have lived, slept, worked, played, and sweated with different Mennonites since I was born. I'm only describing their life here in Belize.
