I belong to an Old Order Mennonite Church in the US. I enjoy learning about our roots and history in Europe.

The main reason why our people left Germany was to escape the attempt to force our young men into the army. There were also severe economic restrictions placed on Anabaptists. We were forbidden to own property, for example. The size of church services/groups was greatly limited. Proselytizing was forbidden, etc. Those who remained in Germany tended to tolerate the restrictions while the stricter, more non-conforming left, mainly to the US. The Dutch/Prussian Mennonites went to Russia.

Thanks for the informative and sympathetic portrayal of our culture, history, and values. Overall, it was well done, although I would probably differ on a few points and conclusions. We are a large and diverse group, and it is hard to put us all in a box, so to speak.