Does anyone know much about German Baptists in the Delphi area...? Do they shun electricity like the Amish? Is it true they wear only clothing sans zippers? What kinds of work do they do to make a living? Do they drive cars? Do they use phones? The internet? Do they read the Bible or some other religious tome?
By 'German Baptist", do you mean 'Mennonite'?
If so, the answers to most of your questions could be the exacting answer of "maybe, but maybe not". Mennonites have a practice of modest, simple living like the Amish do. But.... each Mennonite congregation defines those concepts for themselves.
This means that Mennonites can range from "almost Amish" to "almost modern" depending on the individual congregation. I have not known one to forbid phones, but more conservative ones could well require limited phone usage and forbid internet access in homes.
Likewise, I have gotten the impression that members in conservative congregations may not have individual access to cars. Rather, cars belong to an extended family and are used when needed for specific purposes (usually runs into town for farm supplies, tools, medical appointments and utilitarian men's clothing). In more liberal congregations, however, Mennonites routinely own cars as individuals and don't need a specific "supply run" purpose to drive.
Depending on the congregation, clothing can vary from "almost Amish" to 1970s farm "modern" (
sans Daisy Dukes of course). Electricity is the same way- some may not use it, others may have restrictions on it, and others no restrictions.
Most Mennonites work farm or trade jobs and women are full time mothers. One Mennonite told me that his congregation forbids business owners from having more than five employees and from managing labor indirectly (keeps business small and interaction with employees personal). Yet, other Mennonite owned businesses don't have that restriction.
