CultNEWS101 Articles: 2/17/2026
Patrick Ryan
"The Mennonites and Amish share the same origin, but soon, seemingly small differences resulted in a split into these two distinct groups.
Mennonites and Amish both grew from the Anabaptist movement in Switzerland. As the name suggests, the Anabaptists broke from the Roman Catholic practice of infant baptism. The Mennonites, named after Menno Simons, a former Catholic priest who became an Anabaptist leader, were a distinct group within the Anabaptist Movement. The Amish split from the Mennonites primarily because of differences in discipline. The split happened in 1693 when some members followed Jakob Ammann, who believed the Mennonites were growing too lax.
During the Reformation of the 16th century, some reformers criticized the Roman Catholic practice of infant baptism. They believed the Bible only supports adult baptism. Catholics referred to them by the derogatory term Anabaptists, which means re-baptizers, because they would baptize people who were already baptized as infants.
Within the Anabaptist movement in Switzerland, a group called the Mennonites developed. They followed and were named after Menno Simons, who used to be a Catholic priest but broke from the Church on doctrinal grounds in the 1530s and 40s. The Mennonites believed in adult baptism, pacifism, simple living, and voluntary church—the idea that one is not born into or required to join by law, family, or society, but rather join by free choice.
Joining the Mennonites meant accepting the lifestyle they embraced. The Mennonites practice shunning—setting aside people who broke their rules on lifestyle and faith.
In 1693, Jacob Ammann broke from the Mennonites, believing they had grown too lax on the issue of shunning. He argued for stricter practice and more total versions of shunning that forbid dining with or having social interaction with excommunicated individuals, even family members. Those who agreed with him and joined the breakaway group were called the Amish."
"Recent documents unsealed by the U.S. Department of Justice mention the 14th Dalai Lama 168 times, as reported by India's The Financial Express and confirmed by Guancha searches.
A 2012 email from Epstein described plans to attend an event on an island where the Dalai Lama would also be present. In July 2025, journalist Michael Wolff stated on a podcast that he had seen the Dalai Lama at Epstein's Manhattan residence. Wolff suggested many people mingled with Epstein seeking financial gain.
In August 2025, independent journalist Jacob Silverman highlighted Wolff's account in an article, noting his access to elite circles. Silverman also referenced the Dalai Lama's 2009 appearance and speech at NXIVM, a group later exposed as a sex cult, for which he reportedly received US$1 million."
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