Amish and escapism?

When i was Studting Missions in college the amish were often used as an example of christian escapism or christians trying to live out of the world and not of it. They are an easy target because obviously there were never any in the class to defend themselves. The recent tragic shooting at athe Amish Schoolhouse has led me to think on their life style as a communuity.

When the shooting happened before the dust had even cleared amish community leaders were publicly declaring their forgiveness to the family of the shooter and inviting the family to their own funeral services.

my wife and I love lancaster county particulary Amish country we spend time there when ever possible and we have been impressed by how open the comunity is to outsiders. I have been invited into amish homes had the men share artices with me and even prayed with one. But their way of life is strict.

anyway the recent tragedy has led me to some questions?

Can a community communicate God's Love to each other and outsiders better when they have removed distraction?

Have we (non Amish Christians) bemone syncreistic by alowing ourselves to be overcome by the things of this world?