Breakaway Amish
Growing Up with the Bergholz Beard Cutters
by Johnny Mast
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Pub Date Jul 12 2016 | Archive Date Aug 12 2016
Description
“I am the grandson of Bishop Sam Mullet, who was arrested for the Amish beard-cutting attacks. This is my story.”
Beard-cutting attacks on Amish people in the middle of the night. Five incidents. Nine victims. How could members of a Christian tradition known for peace and forgiveness enact such violence? What could make members of one Amish group turn against other Amish? In Breakaway Amish, Johnny Mast tells in riveting detail how his Amish community became increasingly isolated from other Amish people, and how the wishes and edicts of his grandfather, Bishop Sam Mullet, overtook daily life in the group. Over time, members became convinced that cutting their own hair was a sign of repentance and remorse. When that conviction led them to cut off the beards of those outside their community, however, it was more than a strange religious ritual. It was a crime.
Here is an eyewitness account of the disturbing events at Bergholz, an Amish community gone awry. Yet redemption dwells even here, in the bravery and conviction of one who chose to break free.
A Note From the Publisher
Foreword by Donald B. Kraybill
Advance Praise
"Breakaway Amish is an honest, insightful, insider's view of the strange doings among the Bergholz beard cutters, whose troubles intrigued and appalled the nation. Seldom do outsiders get such a revealing glimpse of what happens to an isolated group when, as Johnny Mast writes, 'You learn to ignore the voices in your head telling you, This isn't right. None of this is right.' An eyewitness account of a leader's twisted descent into mental hell and of the havoc it can cause among people who only seek to be devout and faithful."—Tom Shachtman, author of Rumspringa: To Be or Not to Be Amish
"Breakaway Amish is a riveting story of betrayal. Johnny Mast should have been able to count on the love and faith of his family. Instead he was manipulated by his grandfather, Sam Mullet, who turned his pacifist Amish community into an aggressive, revenge-seeking cult. In this heartbreaking eyewitness account of life in the Bergholz community, Mast recounts the slow descent of his family and friends into isolation, violence, and physical and sexual abuse. Sadly, for telling the truth, Johnny Mast has been ostracized by the very people who should have protected him."—Karen Johnson-Wiener, coauthor of The Amish
"A normal Amish youth, Johnny Mast grows up into the ways of his fathers, with the simple hopes and dreams common in such a world. But then comes a dark turn down bleak roads, not only for Johnny but for an entire community caught in the grip of bishop Sam Mullet's powerful and destructive personality. This raw, riveting insider's account of a strange and chilling story is absolutely unique annals of Amish history."—Ira Wagler, author of Growing Up Amish
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781513800219 |
| PRICE | $15.99 (USD) |
Average rating from 9 members
Featured Reviews
Heidi R, Reviewer
This book was about the Bergholz Beard Cutters. This is a true story based on one man's account of what happened. Johnny Mast was the grandson of the leader (Sam Mullet) of this "cult" and how quickly this Amish sect split from everyone and everything and how Sam was able to control the people under his religious authority. Sam then in revenge had his followers cutting the hair and beards of his own people and people outside of his sect. I am so happy that Johnny was able to see past what was going on and was able to leave and find a better life for himself at the expense of leaving his family.
This book was very well written. I wish there would have been more parts of the testimony on both sides but all in all it was a very good book that kept you hooked and wanted to cheer Johnny on for standing up for him and his friends/family.
Reviewer 338953
It’s very well written. The author takes you through the trial and the events leading to it at the same time, but he does it so well you never lose the chronology of either. It drags you right into the action and you don’t mind a break to take a breath and understand what’s behind such bizarre charges as beard cutting. It’s not long, but Mast relates his experiences very clearly. He doesn’t bog down in trial details. It is very interesting.
Human nature doesn’t leave much room for hope does it? You’d think if in any community tyranny of that magnitude was impossible, it would be in an Amish one. It just goes to show you humans are evil no matter where they are. It’s a sobering look at what people will do to each other for power, acceptance, or ‘salvation’.
The most shocking detail for me was the decree to put up the Bibles and quit praying. They all obeyed! What could have gone on before that to make them so subservient? Why would they put a man so blatantly in the place of God? It is a good study in what a bit of power will do to people even those that had suffered under the same regime. They gave up the freedom in Christ and Truth in the Word for slavery. Why? I just don’t understand. What a mixed joy it was to read of Mast’s escape from that community. I’m glad Mast is looking for Truth. I pray he finds true freedom in Christ. Thanks to Herald Press and NetGalley for the chance to read this book for free and review it.
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