can Orthodox Christians visit Protestant churches?

[MoNiCa4316]

Hi

this question is not from me....

is an Orthodox Christian allowed to visit a Protestant church (just once), and just sit in the back and observe (not actively participate)? Or is that a sin?

thank you

 

[Damaris]

It is never okay to participate in any way in heterodox worship of any kind. Visiting to observe is fine, although it's advisable to clear it with one's spiritual father first, if possible, to clarify one's purpose in attending and to avoid causing scandal.

 

[Kristos]

honor your father and your mother.

 

[Monica child of God 1]

is an Orthodox Christian allowed to visit a Protestant church (just once), and just sit in the back and observe (not actively participate)? Or is that a sin?

What you described above is allowed in many if not all cases when one's family is non-Orthodox. The Orthodox person should get guidance from their priest about it first.

M.

 

[ArmyMatt]

It is never okay to participate in any way in heterodox worship of any kind. Visiting to observe is fine, although it's advisable to clear it with one's spiritual father first, if possible, to clarify one's purpose in attending and to avoid causing scandal.

tru dat

 

[Knee V]

What they all said. It really just depends on the situation and the circumstances, and how the conversation goes with one's spiritual father.

 

[E.C.]

Unless it involves a marriage, funeral, lost bet or extra credit opportunity in a World Religion class; why would someone visit a Protestant church?

Don't mean to be rude, but it is one of those questions that came immediately to mind during the first read of the question.

 

[Lirenel]

Unless it involves a marriage, funeral, lost bet or extra credit opportunity in a World Religion class; why would someone visit a Protestant church?

Don't mean to be rude, but it is one of those questions that came immediately to mind during the first read of the question.

For Orthodox converts from Protestantism, the conflict comes when one is visiting family members who are still Protestant. For example, my parents are Protestant. If I were Orthodox (I'm not yet chrismated) the question becomes, do I go to a Protestant church with my parents when I visit them or do I hurt my parents deeply and refuse to go to church with them?

And I know it would hurt them if I refused to go to church with them. Most of my family is very religious and goes to church faithfully. It hurts my grandmother that, when my aunt and uncle visit them they attend the local Presbyterian church instead of going with my grandparents to their Methodist church - my grandparents feel that my aunt and uncle and take one Sunday and not go to their denominational church in order to spend time with family. And I know my parents agree with this view. So, do I honor my parents and attend their church for one Sunday, or do I hurt them and possibly dissuade them from ever considering Orthodoxy because it 'turned me into a parents-dishonoring snob'?

 

[Joshua G.]

Yeah, that can be a difficult one.

It is always adviseable to seek advice from a spiritual father tha understnds your situyation. It's not a one size fits all.

EC: it's not always as easy as "why would you want to". Sometimes there are things that happen at a parish other than marriage and the big ones that are important to the family even if you (I) don't personally get it or find it important.

Every individual has different family dynamics they have to deal with. I love that someone wrote "Honor thy Father and Mother" Obviously we don't do this to the peril of our soul but at the same time, I can't say that going to my parent's new Church dedication ceremony was at the peril of my soul.

I will say, that over the past 10 years, I have had to set boundaries as my parents grew comfortable (not happy, though) with my decision to leave the Lutheran church. For the first year I went to Lutheran Easter with my family because it was so hard for my mom. For many years I traveled for Christmas and went with the relatives to their Church... MAYBE making it to mine.

That's not recommendable in general but for me it did bring me to the point where I now never go to non-Orthodox Easters or Christmases and in such a way that it wasn't like taking a 2x4 to my mom's head.

When I got married and especially as the 1st child was coming, I sat down ith mom and explained to her that there will never be a time that any of us miss Church in order to go to a Lutheran service. That our child is being raised Orthodox and we will not confuse him as to where and what Church is. I think that was/is hard for her, but she saw that I was honest in this and respects it a great deal. Obviously funerals and weddings are still a different story, but this is how it is for us and this is OUR personal story. Everyone's is different.

My advice is 1) as everyone said: talk to a spiritual father and 2) ALWAYS go to a non-Orthodox service RESPECTFULLY (this is why I work hard to avoid guitar services because it is difficult for me not to sin by disrespecting in my mind what is for them a heart-felt service that I am sure Christ appreciates because of where they're hearts are) 3) with a critical mind about EVERYTHING (that doesn't mean criticizing, but rather never assuming anything said is approved by the Church, unless it obviously is) said 4) working hard to appreciate the Orthodox things that are said (this helps with #2) and 5) with one foot out the door mentally speaking - that is, not worshipping with them, but not drawing attention to yourself either.

That's a hard balancing act to follow so because of that it is always advisable not to go to non-ORthodox services ever... even funerals. But adviseable is not always what is practical nor is it always what is best for your soul and the soul of others.

I hope that made things clear as mud because that's about how clear this issue is in real life.

Josh

 

[MoNiCa4316]

thanks everyone for the replies!

what about an Orthodox person visiting a Protestant service simply out of curiosity, to see what it's like, or to listen to the music? (but only once) ?

 

[Dorothea]

Unless it involves a marriage, funeral, lost bet or extra credit opportunity in a World Religion class; why would someone visit a Protestant church?

Don't mean to be rude, but it is one of those questions that came immediately to mind during the first read of the question.

Always our immediate first thoughts are quite impulsive and not really thought out. LOL My husband thought the exact same thing (in the red highlight) when he saw the title to the thread).

 

[Macarius]

They would need to clear it with their priest / spiritual father. But if it were purely for curiosity sake, it is probably inadvisable.

 

[gzt]

I suppose going for curiosity, if you're quite careful, just once wouldn't be that bad. I mean, yeah, curiosity isn't the most laudable motive, but, on the other hand, you have to be able to say that you've at least gone to a Protestant service once in your life. But you may as well wait until you have some second excuse on top, like, you're on vacation, you're taking a world religions class, somebody you know is getting baptized, etc.

 

[MKJ]

I suppose going for curiosity, if you're quite careful, just once wouldn't be that bad. I mean, yeah, curiosity isn't the most laudable motive, but, on the other hand, you have to be able to say that you've at least gone to a Protestant service once in your life. But you may as well wait until you have some second excuse on top, like, you're on vacation, you're taking a world religions class, somebody you know is getting baptized, etc.

This isn't quite the same, but there are perhaps some similar elements. I was raised in a Christian household, but as a teenager wanted to learn more about religions in general. So I spent a number of years doing so. It wasn't a matter of really saying I knew Christianity was wrong - but I felt I was in no position to know if it was right.

Ultimately, I found what I had learned was very helpful, and I came to some conclusions.

I once asked a priest if it was a good idea to ask those kinds of questions. He said maybe not, but once you have thought of them, they can't be unasked. He also thought that asking them was largely a function of a certian type of personality more than anything else.

Sometimes when we have grown up with a faith, or even when he haven't, we can come to a place where we have questions, and want to have more information. THere is I suppose some danger in this; on the other hand, having navigated through it, there can be real dividends too.

 

[Joshua G.]

They would need to clear it with their priest / spiritual father. But if it were purely for curiosity sake, it is probably inadvisable.

I would agree with that.

 

[Protoevangel]

I occasionally attend my wife's ELCA church (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - the hard-core liberal sect of American Lutheranism) - in obedience to my Spiritual Father. I stand when the congregation stands and sit when the congregation sits. I do not participate in anything any further than that. I generally spend the service silently saying the Jesus prayer. When the people in my pew go for communion, I simply step into the aisle, out of the way.

Sometimes I will share the gist of the sermons with my priest. One time he looked at me dumbfounded, and after he was able to find the words, he said, "that's downright demonic..." I have to agree with him. The poor people at this church (my wife and children included) are being fed spiritual Jonestownian kool-aid. It breaks my heart every time I "have to" attend.

Admittedly, the ELCA is a unique experience within protestantism, but I really wouldn't recommend anyone ever go to any protestant service, unless it is for a reason to ease the conscience of a loved one, and in obedience to a Spiritual Father.

 

[Joshua G.]

I approach it pretty much like Proto... especially how i interact (or don't so much) with the service.

Josh

 

[Lirenel]

Slightly similar question, but what about singing Protestant hymns and songs (whether at a Protestant services or just in general). I mean, I don't tend to sing songs I don't agree with theologically anyway, but I have to admit I love songs like Amazing Grace, All Creatures of our God and King, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, etc.

 

[Dorothea]

I occasionally attend my wife's ELCA church (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - the hard-core liberal sect of American Lutheranism) - in obedience to my Spiritual Father. I stand when the congregation stands and sit when the congregation sits. I do not participate in anything any further than that. I generally spend the service silently saying the Jesus prayer. When the people in my pew go for communion, I simply step into the aisle, out of the way.

Sometimes I will share the gist of the sermons with my priest. One time he looked at me dumbfounded, and after he was able to find the words, he said, "that's downright demonic..." I have to agree with him. The poor people at this church (my wife and children included) are being fed spiritual Jonestownian kool-aid. It breaks my heart every time I "have to" attend.

Admittedly, the ELCA is a unique experience within protestantism, but I really wouldn't recommend anyone ever go to any protestant service, unless it is for a reason to ease the conscience of a loved one, and in obedience to a Spiritual Father.

I can't imagine how heart-wrenching this must be for you, Proto. God be with you and your family.

 

[xuxana]

yes. why not? i have been to quite a few. i have an evangelical christian friend and i go with her sometimes. the ones we went to were more like rock concerts/high school musical with huge video screens, loud speakers, and really animated, sweaty pastors in their early 30's. it's awesome. sure, in the end it doesn't feel like a "church" but i love it anyway.

my only critique is there is no structure. no set way of doing things. just a lot of singing, dancing, hugging, and then the preacher get's on there & starts preachin & even cracking jokes (about his wife, his surfboard, whatever). you bring your own bible, of course. this one particular church uses NLT so i was out of place as i only have the orthodox study bible on my android.

plus they really don't have a traditional church. its more like a stadium/huge social hall with padded seats. despite the comfortable seating, the very lax sense of dress code (i saw 20 girls in supershort shorts, flip-flops, and at least 4 girls in bikini tops.seriously! oh well, it is protestant & this is hawaii. lolz!) anyways... i still like my orthodox church. always. because for me it's REAL worship. not extremely loud praising, dancing, stomping, and gyrating. plus all that co-ed hugging @ the new fangled protestant church just weirded me out. love the movie montage of bible verses with background music that reminded me of k0rn (the band). that part was cool. its like whoa!

when we were there lots of ppl in their 20's & 30's were hooking up after the service during fellowship. it was bizarre. one minute the pastor was talking about first corinthians 6:13-16, the next minute you see this girl in a bikini top & shorts surrounded by 4 guys in long shorts. all of them carrying their bibles, of course.

it's stuff like that that make me miss the coffee hour with the old folks @ my orthodox church. it's home & its warm & snuggly.

and no, im not going to tell my spiritual father i went because its my business.