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The Mennonites are a Protestant religious sect, first formed
in the Netherlands in the 16th century. Their staunch religious
beliefs, including the refusal to pay certain taxes, has made
them a target for attack and persecution, thus Belize
is their latest stop in their search for a home country that
has spanned four centuries.
Mennonites in Belize
The first Mennonites arrived in Belize in 1958, and now some
3,500 members live in agricultural communities in Belize.
Their farming methods, although outdated, are so efficient
that they are the most successful farmers in Belize and they
supply much of the countries produce.
Beliefs
Other Mennonite beliefs include the refusal to bear arms,
the rejection of worldly concerns, simplicity of dress, refusal
of contraception and marrying outside the religion.
In appearance, Mennonites set themselves apart from the local
community by dressing in old-fashioned clothes and speaking
in an 18th century German language. Other rules prohibit Mennonites
from smoking, drinking, going to parties, or dancing. All
Mennonites are exempt from military service they don't vote
or take any public office. They use their own schools and
uphold morals from a bygone age.
The Mennonite religion has separated into a number of factions
during their history, which has seen the emergence of many
orders of Mennonites (varying in degrees of strictness). The
most well known is the faction of Mennonites that went on
to become the Amish religion. The Mopan River in
Belize separates the conservative Mennonites in Barton
Creek from the progressives.
Besides living in Belize, large numbers of Mennonites have
settled in Canada and some colonies in USA, Mexico
and South America.
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