Peter J
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« on: April 06, 2012, 10:52:19 AM » |
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Is Orthodoxy a melting pot? (Note: There are articles discussing this, e.g. Melting pot of American Orthodox faith, but I'm not so much starting this thread to discuss an article as to learn people's opinions, in general, on this question.) |
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"Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better. I therefore intend to oppose the effort to increase America’s debt limit."
- Barack Obama
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Melodist
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« Reply #1 on: April 06, 2012, 11:27:33 AM » |
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Is Orthodoxy a melting pot? (Note: There are articles discussing this, e.g. Melting pot of American Orthodox faith, but I'm not so much starting this thread to discuss an article as to learn people's opinions, in general, on this question.) It varies from parish to parish. My parish has a decent mix of cradles and converts all coming from a variety of ethnicities. Another parish I've visited in the general area is more ethnically middle eastern than anything else, even though they do have a subdeacon who I believe might be a convert, but I could be mistaken on that, never asked. |
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Asteriktos
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« Reply #2 on: April 06, 2012, 11:35:54 AM » |
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How are you defining melting pot here?
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Peter J
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« Reply #3 on: April 06, 2012, 12:04:11 PM » |
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How are you defining melting pot here?
People tend to focus on cultural/ethnic melting pot (cf the article I linked to). That's fine, but personally, I'm a bit more interested in whether Orthodoxy is a melting pot of thought. |
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"Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better. I therefore intend to oppose the effort to increase America’s debt limit."
- Barack Obama
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Shanghaiski
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« Reply #4 on: April 06, 2012, 12:43:22 PM » |
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How are you defining melting pot here?
People tend to focus on cultural/ethnic melting pot (cf the article I linked to). That's fine, but personally, I'm a bit more interested in whether Orthodoxy is a melting pot of thought. What kind of thought? What game are you playing? |
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O Master Lord our God...who are wondrous in glory; who keeps his covenant and his mercy to them who love him with all their heart; who has given us redemption...through his only-begotten son, Jesus Christ...the life of everyone, the help of those who flee to him, the hope of those who cry to him.
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J Michael
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« Reply #5 on: April 06, 2012, 01:01:39 PM » |
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How are you defining melting pot here?
People tend to focus on cultural/ethnic melting pot (cf the article I linked to). That's fine, but personally, I'm a bit more interested in whether Orthodoxy is a melting pot of thought. I would tend to think that each cultural or ethnic group in Orthodoxy brings to it the enculturated thought patterns and processes unique to each group, and thereby enriches Orthodoxy. That, of course, is not unique to Orthodoxy at all. But I'm not sure whether that's what you mean. In fact, what *do* you mean? Are you referring to theological "thought" or some other kind of "thought"? |
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"Right is right even if no one is doing it; wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it."
— St. Augustine of Hippo
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JamesR
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« Reply #6 on: April 06, 2012, 02:21:56 PM » |
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I would say that most Orthodox Christians I have met are pretty thought-provoking and intelligent. I have met more intelligent people in terms of theology and history in the Orthodox Church than I have anywhere else. However, it may be because the OCA is a largely convert Church, so, the converts may be more likely to look into this stuff and be sort of hypderdox.
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"'Blessed are the peacemakers' For those are peacemakers in themselves who, in conquering and subjecting to reason all the motions of their souls and having their carnal desires tamed, have become in themselves a Kingdom of God."-St. Augustine of Hippo
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Peter J
Formerly PJ
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« Reply #7 on: April 06, 2012, 02:45:49 PM » |
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What game are you playing?
Oh dear! My cover has been blown, hasn't it? You've figured out that whenever I ask a question, it's really a ploy to destroy the Orthodox. (Roll eyes dramatically.) |
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"Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better. I therefore intend to oppose the effort to increase America’s debt limit."
- Barack Obama
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Asteriktos
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« Reply #8 on: April 06, 2012, 02:50:10 PM » |
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Hmm... I'm not sure. It does seem like Orthodoxy allows for a lot of opinion, but I'm not sure if there is as much room as Catholicism allows.
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Shanghaiski
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« Reply #9 on: April 06, 2012, 02:50:47 PM » |
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What game are you playing?
Oh dear! My cover has been blown, hasn't it? You've figured out that whenever I ask a question, it's really a ploy to destroy the Orthodox. (Roll eyes dramatically.)What am I supposed to think when you ask ambiguous questions without supplying further explanatory information as to your meaning? |
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O Master Lord our God...who are wondrous in glory; who keeps his covenant and his mercy to them who love him with all their heart; who has given us redemption...through his only-begotten son, Jesus Christ...the life of everyone, the help of those who flee to him, the hope of those who cry to him.
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Asteriktos
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« Reply #10 on: April 06, 2012, 03:03:21 PM » |
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Sometimes the Orthodox approach to certain issues reminds me of this scene from Gladiator--as though all you can do is whisper about it. The idea that we can hope that all will be saved is one such example. To be dogmatic, loud, forceful, or even overly-eager about the idea seems improper in Orthodox circles. It can only be whispered about. I hope all are saved, somehow. But then maybe that's how it should be? Perhaps that's how it has to be? Does this mean that Orthodoxy doesn't allow differing opinions? Does Orthodoxy suppress them? Or does it ask that thing simply be kept in the proper place? I don't know... |
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Ortho_cat
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« Reply #11 on: April 06, 2012, 03:12:28 PM » |
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I've known Orthodox to have wide ranging political views, although those on abortion/gay marriage tend to be pretty consistent.
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