Quite seriously by all indications:
Washington - County sheriffs in eastern Ohio are investigating a bizarre rash of home invasions in which Amish farmers are getting their beards cut off.Members of a dissident Amish group called the Bergholz Gang are suspected of bursting into the homes of mainstream Amish and cutting - or attempting to cut - the facial hair of their targets.
The intruders then returned to their leader, hair in hand, to prove that his orders were being obeyed to the letter,
So much for a peaceful religion!! 