A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY
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| Volume 6 Number 42 - Tuesday, October 19th, 2004 |
A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY |
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The Orthodox Christian Laity
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The Orthodox Christian News Service |
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By observation for some time now, it seems that Orthodox fundamentalism is alive and well. In all of the Orthodox jurisdictions in America there seems to be those who are insisting that Orthodox men must have pony tails and beards and women must wear long ugly dresses and babushkas. Furthermore, within the clergy ranks, there is a movement for all clerics to wear cassocks at all times everywhere and must for scraggily facial hair and funny hats. It doesn't stop here, but goes beyond the externals into a fundamentalist mindset of following so-called "traditional Orthodox" ideals. Upon examination, one finds that these ideals aren't necessarily traditionally Orthodox, but a weird mixture of fundamentalism and an adherence to anything pre-1900 from Russia or Greece. Many converts coming to Orthodoxy are grabbing on to this "life-style" thinking that "this" is the real Orthodoxy. Who is teaching this stuff? After some searching, it seems that there are some less educated clerics preaching this as the Orthodox norm - even bishops. On closer examination, much of this comes from convert clerics who have "found the true light!" It seems that this influence is becoming more prevalent in America and many parishes are having to appease a wave of "Super-Orthodox" who look as if they would be more comfortable on Mount Athos. Their dogmatic adherence to the "letter of the law" and lack of understanding of the "spirit of the law" complicates teaching of what Orthodoxy really is in following Christ. It could be that this generation needs a regimentation of a certain look and way of thinking to believe they are Orthodox and not Protestant or Roman Catholic, but this becomes cultic in its approach. Like "Orthodox Home-Boys" the only thing lacking are the pierced body parts and tattoos, or are they? This phenomenon is puzzling and will cause more issues for the Orthodox faithful as this spreads. The clash between this fundamental approach to Orthodoxy and the norm hopefully will correct itself, but not without more friction and problems! Nicholas Cobb
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