Mennonite Religion

             conflict between Catholics and Protestants. This treaty, called "The Treaty of.
             Westphalia", guaranteed religious toleration for Catholics and Protestants, but not for.
             Anabaptists (Kauffman 1). Because the Anabaptists refused to fight for any purpose,.
             against either Catholics or Protestants they were subject to persecution by both of these.
             parties. Thousands of Anabaptists were put to death and the rest were driven from place.
             to place, finding refuge wherever they could.
             My ancestors are traced back to the Netherlands in the sixteenth century. These.
             Mennonites were subjected to severe persecution. Anabaptists were captured and killed.
             in many horrific ways. Ways that I can only compare to the horrors of the holocaust. .
             The book "Mirror of the Martyrs" explains in depth some of the stories of Anabaptists.
             who were killed for their faith. These executions included burning at the stake, drowning.
             by being placed in a bag and thrown into the water, being hung and tortured until death,.
             and being buried alive. Most of these tortures and executions took place while family.
             and friends were present (Oyer). Many of the Mennonites that I spoke to mentioned this.
             book and suggest that the tales in it have helped many in affirming their faith. They feel.
             that these early Anabaptists died for their religious freedom. .
             It was in 1683 that my ancestors were among the first Mennonites to migrate to.
             North America. They came to Germantown, Pennsylvania which was about ten miles.
             away from Philadelphia. The story is that the trip took close to eleven weeks, two.
             children were born en route and one woman died. The Mennonites, like many other.
             religious groups, had finally found a place where they could cultivate and explore their.
             beliefs with out the fear of persecution. .
             When I first began to explore the Mennonite church in the United States I thought.
             that this group included people like the Amish, Brethren, Quakers, and other "plain.