What people want to know about Mennonites

ThirdWay.com’s quirky questions of 2015

February 8, 2016 | Web First
MennoMedia

The Third Way website was re-launched last April, and by late 2015 daily visitors were averaging 750 or more. Many are seeking information about Mennonites, their beliefs and practices.

Volunteers Erwin and Angela Rempel respond personally to the twists on questions that the site doesn’t answer directly, or when seekers are looking for a Mennonite church in an area where there aren’t many. Students ask for help with research for school reports, ranging from elementary to graduate school. The Rempels generally offer links to parts of the website or other sites that will answer their questions. When questions pertain to specific Mennonite beliefs, they respond in keeping with the current Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective.

The questions asked—and common search terms—often reveal still-pervasive curiosity and confusion between Mennonites and Amish. “Difference between Mennonites and Amish” is the most used search term for people accessing Third Way, but search terms about “who is Jesus” come up frequently as well. Five of the top 12 searches centered on Jesus in the last year.

Below are some of the more interesting questions Third Way received this past year (spelling and punctuation have been corrected and names withheld):

  • I am a Mennonite born and raised in South America. I do agree [with your site] that Mennonites are like that in Canada. But have you ever been in South America? It’s so sad and unbelievable how they treat each other depending on race, last names and money. I am very proud where I come from. But [I] do not applaud what they do in some places.
  • Jesus was all about nonviolence and [loving] God. Why is it that there are so many Christians [who] don’t seem to care about the earth? Doesn’t God want them to be good stewards on this planet?
  • Is my brother going to hell because he rejects Jesus (and all religions)? He is the most giving and caring person I have ever known. He is also very knowledgeable of the Bible, Torah and Qur’an. He has an advanced degree in religious studies and went to seminary. He said that’s what made him an atheist. I am confused. Please help. Thank you.
  • I am looking for a conservative Mennonite church in my area. These are my beliefs: baptism of the Holy Spirit, no TV, no movies, no sports, limited Internet (I use it only to research things and check e-mail). The Rempels referred him to the Beachy Amish.
  • Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues is important to me! I would like to know what Mennonites believe. Do you speak in tongues?
  • I’m been married two times. Can I become a member?
  • Recently, when looking through old family photos after my mother-in-law’s death, we had the following question. Seems like our great-grandparents (1870–1920 or so) did not dress plain. The ladies wore jewelry and fancy dresses. Then the next generation, the grandparents, were all dressed in plain clothes. Any idea what brought about this transition?
  • I attend ___ Mennonite Church. My son left the church at 21 and went away from us. My other is still a member, but not happy with the legalism; neither am I. . . . Their main emphasis is on outward appearance and following standards [rather] than love.
  • How do Mennonites determine which sexual relationships are immoral and which are moral?
  • Do the Mennonites believe that Jesus was born from the Virgin Mary?
  • Can you tell me where we might purchase a traditional Old Order River Brethren bonnet? So far we’ve seen several pictures, but nowhere to obtain one. It would be a good and modest bonnet for a woman attending prayer services.

ThirdWay.com is produced by MennoMedia, on behalf of the Mennonite churches of Canada and the U.S. 

For background on the website, see:

MennoMedia revamps Third Way website
Why write a book about a website?

Share this page: Twitter Instagram

Add new comment

Canadian Mennonite invites comments and encourages constructive discussion about our content. Actual full names (first and last) are required. Comments are moderated and may be edited. They will not appear online until approved and will be posted during business hours. Some comments may be reproduced in print.