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Mennonites take their name from the early leader of the Anabaptist movement, Menno Simons. There are several
different branches of Mennonites today, including the Old Order Mennonites, who still use the horse and buggy, and forbid
electricity; the Mennonite USA branch, considered to be the most liberal branch of Mennonites; independent Mennonite churches,
many of which still practice the use of the headcovering, forbid television, but allow automobiles and electricity; the Conservative
Mennonite Conference; and many others.
Historically, Mennonites have followed the practices of nonresistance, the washing of one anothers feet, the
holy kiss, the ban(church discipline), and the continued use of the headcovering. Today, these practices are only followed
in the more conservative churches, whereas many of the more mainstream Mennonite churches have abandoned the practices of
their forefathers and merely retain the name Mennonite.
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