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PaperclipPerfector  2d ago (text post)   1599 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for January 25, 2026

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

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The Haredi are to my knowledge, virtually unique in that they've largely retained their traditional way of life in the middle of an ultra-modern society without going the way of the Amish. Not only are they not shrinking, they're actually increasing their share of the population, to the point that it has become a significant political issue. I'm deeply curious about this. Can anyone a) recommend good scholarship on the Haredi or b) point me towards any other similar modernity-defying groups?

other similar modernity-defying groups?

The Mennonites who are growing at brisk pace and actively spreading around the world. Most of their growth is in Latin America, but lately they are coming to Africa too.

Unlike the Orthodox Jews, they managed to keep low profile (so far). If you know who Mennonites are, you are either their immediate neighbor, serious theology nerd, 16th century history nerd or demography nerd.

Hey, Chaplain Shipman/Tappman was one! As are both members of Music Go Music. But I guess I count as a serious theology nerd since I nearly became one after going through every Christian denomination set of beliefs.

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