Do you accept the deliberate backwardness of the Amish?

Are they a cult?

And what is the deal with the technology? I mean what is the limit? Using a horse and metal tools is using a form of technology, albeit an old non-electronic one – it is as if they accept technology to a (historical advanced) point and then stop. Is everything they use hand-made or is some stuff ok to have been manufactured (like the buggies and hand tools they use)?

They consider themselves a peaceful people, living an easy life, but aren’t there holes and contradictions in their philosophy? Why do they shun and excommunicate rather than give their members the freedom to “drop in” when they want? Why do they raise children to be Amish? Shouldn’t the Amish lifestyle is meant to be chosen by adults who voluntarily choose it? “Members” aren’t baptized until young adulthood, if they don’t like rumspringa, which is their time to live in the real world. Because of that tradition, the Amish claim their members have a choice to be Amish or be “English”, but the children don’t get to make any choices for themselves about what kind of childhood they want. That is not good for a healthy mind. Even for much of their teens they don’t really have a choice. And if a young adult at the conclusion of their rumspringa chooses to not stay Amish, their decision is not respected by their family. They are then shunned.