Reply #3: Had a very in depth conversation with a Mennonite nurse that I work with

[Horse with no Name]

today. Was very enlightening. We were very slow, so had time to chat.
She was very gracious about allowing me to ask the questions.
I found her to be fascinating because she is in her mid-20's, unmarried, and a college graduate which is very unusual for her faith.
Some of the Mennonites (the German ones in particular) do watch television and listen to the radio--however, her sect does not.
She said she had to get special permission to go to college from her minister and had to affirm that her faith was strong enough not to be swayed while in College.
She said that it is starting to become customary for some Mennonites to go to College because it is becoming more and more difficult to maintain living off of farming. However, only certain degree plans are acceptable--for instance, a CPA is acceptable, a business major is not.
Talked a little about politics. I asked if she was going to vote and she said no. However, she shocked me when she told me the reason. It was because of the page scandal in Washington. So I asked her how a Mennonite that did not watch TV or listen to the radio knew about this, she said that it was discussed at church.
I thanked her very much for allowing me to ask questions. Like I said, she was very gracious. I didn't encourage her to vote since obviously it was something that her church as a whole had decided, and she is very faithful.
But there are MANY sects of Mennonites in our area. Apparently they don't mingle outside their sect. She told me that several of the German Mennonite communities are arguing within--whether to be Progressive or Conservative and that they are splitting into sects of each.
So it is hard to say how many sects are NOT voting.