Not all Mennonites are the same, said Jesse Mack. Here, he explains the differences between the different factions of his religion.
Progressive Mennonites: Progressive Mennonites can utilize technology and wear modern clothing.
Conservative Mennonites: Conservative Mennonites have a stern dress code and are less likely to possess electronics. Women must wear long skirts.
Pink Mennonites: Pink, blue and green Mennonites lie between the two extremes of progressive and conservative Mennonites. Pink Mennonites support gay marriage.
Blue Mennonites: This group of Mennonites oppose gay marriage.
Green Mennonites: Green Mennonites strive to help the environment.
What the Mennonites aren't are Amish.
Amish: Mennonites and the Amish both come from the Anabaptist movement in the 16th century, but unlike the Amish, Mennonites don't separate themselves from the society around them.
"[The Amish] shun modern technology, keep out of political and secular involvements and dress plainly," said the Mennonite USA website.
Jesse Mack stands against a wall in Woodworth. Wearing a simple red t-shirt and blue jeans, Mack looks up from his iPhone that is tightly secured in his hand.
Raised within a Mennonite community in Goshen, Ind., the sophomore music education major still keeps his faith and community close.
Goshen is the Mennonite capital of Indiana. Despite a population of only 32,000, eight Mennonite churches lie within the city and 11 pepper the entire area. Mack said there are enough Mennonites in Goshen to have a sixth- through twelfth-grade private Mennonite school.
Mennonites believe in three core values: peace, love and service. These differentiate them from other practices of Christianity.
As Mack answered questions about his religion, he thought long and chose his words carefully. He described himself as reserved but said most Mennonites are. He thinks Ball State has helped him come out of his shell.
"I like getting to know people," he said. "I came to Ball State to learn social skills."
Since coming to Ball State, Mack admits that he can have some "loose language." He may be more prone to cuss, but he said that is the only habit that has changed for him.
"I would not have done that if I had stayed at home," Mack said.
His father, raised Catholic, met his mother who was Mennonite. After meeting, his father decided to join the Mennonite faith. The process of entering the Mennonite community is quite simple. According to Mack, with any denomination, one just has to agree with the values being taught and sign some paperwork to show proof of belonging to the church.
"It's not super formal," Mack said. "If you start going to a Mennonite church, you can start calling yourself a Mennonite. It's not exclusive or anything."
Mennonites are neither Catholic or Protestant, according to the website of Mennonite Church USA, the largest denomination of Mennonites. Mennonites believe in following Jesus above nationalism, racism and materialism and living life "simply and in service to others." Their website also mentions the importance of peace.
"We have a huge emphasis on peace," he said. "We try to avoid conflict and holding grudges."
Mack said he’s a progressive Mennonite. This means he can have an iPhone and dress any way he chooses.
"I can keep up with the times," said Mack.
Don't confuse or associate Mennonites with the Amish, though. According to Mack, the Amish can take their beliefs and values to the extreme.
Mack said Amish communities might enforce repercussions if their members break rules. Mennonites don't do this.
One of Mack’s Ball State friends, Michael Tabor said learning about Mack’s religion didn’t faze him. Tabor said that he didn't know much about the Mennonite community, and what Mack told him didn't stick.
"I know it's more of a conservative lifestyle," Tabor said. "I'm open to anything, so it wasn't that big of a deal."
Tabor said Mack doesn’t talk much about the intricacies of his beliefs.
"He basically just keeps to himself, and it's not that big of a deal to me," Tabor said.
Mack might not mention his faith a lot at Ball State, but throughout the year, he looks forward to the semi-annual Mennonite convention. Hosted in a different state each year, this three- to four-day conference helps Mennonites of all ages to share their new ideas, beliefs and collaborate.
"We talk about worship and what Mennonites should do as part of this world," he said. "It's a good place to get perspective."
Mack said all Mennos, a common abbreviation of Mennonites, are welcomed across the entire spectrum at the convention; that is how new viewpoints are discovered and learned about.
According to Mack, music education has a heavy course load, so he isn't planning on attending the next Mennonite convention, but he plans to go to one after college.
A self-proclaimed band geek and dubstep enthusiast, Mack doesn't find himself to be anything but normal.
"I would say the biggest difference is that I have different values," Mack said. "I would say that I'm a pretty normal guy."
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