Another superfluous question from Big Fudge

It's a tough one. Since I became Orthodox, I on one hand didn't want to sound like a braggart newbie born-again Orthodox who instantly knows it all and has something to teach every person with whom I have a conversation. However, on the other hand, I want Orthodoxy to be part of a conversation, so I tend to mention that I am Orthodox. If they ask me about it, great. Now I have the opportunity to share my treasure. If not, we can just leave it at that--we're both Christians, period.

I have an old buddy from high school on Facebook right now and we're talking back and forth a little. He's using a lot of born-again revival evangelical lingo and, I'm sad to admit this, it makes me want to puke. I detest that whole vocabulary. I mentioned to him that I converted to Holy Orthodoxy through chrismation. I hope he googles "chrismation" and "orthodox church" and maybe asks me more. But so far he hasn't.

I guess you just have to go with the conversation, take it where the Holy Spirit wants you to go.

I think this question you ask almost reminds me of the old "Ash Wednesday" conundrum I'd have each year as a Catholic: do I keep my ashes on my forehead out of piety because they're blessed and I want it to stay with me as an opener to Lent, or do I wipe them off so as not to appear to be the show-off faster phoney that Jesus warns about?!?

Tough one. Follow your heart on it. There's nothing to be ashamed about that you're a chrismated member of the ancient faith of 2,000 years, that's for sure!

How I answer "Are you a Christian?" depends on who is asking. If it is someone that I know is some brand of Evangelical I will typically just say "Yes, I am a Christian." Of course if they ask what kind of Church I go to I will tell them that I am Orthodox. Generally that ends that line of questioning. Very rarely has anyone asked me to elaborate further. If the person is someone that I know is not a Christian, I will answer by telling them that I am an Orthodox Christian.

I haven't been around people like that in quite some time. I used to live in southern Georgia, and if you didn't listen to exclusively Christian music and watch nothing but Christian movies, you were black-balled, or at least you'd be looking up everyone's noses. Around these parts of Texas I really never get that.

Back when I lived in Georgia, at least around my Evangelical friends (and around there, if you were Evangelical/Non-Denominational, you were Charismatic, and that was always a given), I just didn't discuss pop culture or anything of the sort. I had many theological/doctrinal discussions (we'd always hang out at a Christian coffee house-type place on Friday nights), and when I did, I only gave the Orthodox view of things, but passed them off as if they were my own private interpretation of Scripture. Only a small handful of them knew that I was Orthodox. And I always tried to package Orthodox teaching in lingo that they were comfortable with. My hope was that whenever someone would find out that I was Orthodox, they wouldn't associate Orthodoxy with weird beliefs or anything crazy.

During that era of my life I was pressed further about Orthodoxy by my friends only a few times. My tactic was to speak as much as possible in "big picture" terms, and avoid any great deal of detail to the extent that the conversation would allow. As much as I may love to split hairs online, I absolutely hate doing that in person. Those who had no real interest in learning more about it were generally satisfied with the lack of detail. Those who appreciated learning more about it would ask more questions, two of whom tagged along with me at church on a few occasions, one of whom, several years later, came very close to becoming Orthodox.

In my own experience I have found that that general tactic weeds out those who really couldn't care any less about Orthodoxy, as well as those who are just plain argumentative, so that the more in-depth conversations that I do have end up being more fruitful, or at least less disastrous.

Depends on the person asking I guess.
If he is feeling a strong deslike for catholics or protestants, I will proceed to tell him I am Orthodox
(and what's the differance between Orthodoxy and other denominations).
But generally I feel it is enough to tell them I am Christian.

Big Fudge said:

I've begun noticing more frequently that some people I know will cut you off at the pass if you begin talking about someone whether it be a musician, a poet, an actor/actress, author or even just a friend, they'll ask "are they Christian?" It's really begun to offend me, and perhaps it shouldn't, but it's as if they're saying they don't care about that person or what they're saying or doing unless they were a Christian. Have you ever encountered anything like that?

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Yes, I have noticing that myself and it is getting on my nerves.
What do I care if he is a Christian or not?
I am not gonna marry him, I am just gonna listen to his music!

normallay I would answer that I am a Christian, and look for an opening to go into Orthodoxy as the convo progresses. but it is annoying. too many times I'll be asked if I am Christian or Catholic.....um, Catholics are Christian.......

I've had to tread very carefully before with the 'yes I'm Christian, but I'm Orthodox' thing - one of my best friends from high school came from an EXTREMELY strict fundamentalist family. I'd been baptised a year or so and still hid my two bar cross inside my shirt when I went to visit. Bonus points for the fact that her dad was Serbian and had converted from Orthodoxy... anyway, it eventually did come out, about the same time that they realised that the fundamentalism they were in was wrong, and they're still quite strict but have no doubt that I'm Christian.

I've had a lot of people try to question me on my Christianity due to being Orthodox which is delightful, but my parents got it the most actually - while they argued over differences in theology at home, they ardently defended me from their friends and fellow parishoners

Good points. Do you ever find people at work asking about your Orthodoxy? Mine all say, "what is Orthodox?" as if they had zero clue...the workplace is an interesting conversation piece for Orthodoxy for sure

-Kyriaki- said:

I've had to tread very carefully before with the 'yes I'm Christian, but I'm Orthodox' thing - one of my best friends from high school came from an EXTREMELY strict fundamentalist family. I'd been baptised a year or so and still hid my two bar cross inside my shirt when I went to visit. Bonus points for the fact that her dad was Serbian and had converted from Orthodoxy... anyway, it eventually did come out, about the same time that they realised that the fundamentalism they were in was wrong, and they're still quite strict but have no doubt that I'm Christian.

I've had a lot of people try to question me on my Christianity due to being Orthodox which is delightful, but my parents got it the most actually - while they argued over differences in theology at home, they ardently defended me from their friends and fellow parishoners

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I walked into a UPS distribution center, and encountered a "seminarian" from Master's University.

Right away, he asked me what to what denomination I belonged. I told him that I was Greek Orthodox. He then said, "Oh, you basically have the same theology with the Catholics, that of 'works-based' beliefs."

Big Fudge said:

I've begun noticing more frequently that some people I know will cut you off at the pass if you begin talking about someone whether it be a musician, a poet, an actor/actress, author or even just a friend, they'll ask "are they Christian?" It's really begun to offend me, and perhaps it shouldn't, but it's as if they're saying they don't care about that person or what they're saying or doing unless they were a Christian. Have you ever encountered anything like that? If so, what's a proper way to continue a conversation like that from an Orthodox and gracious position?

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I've called close evangelical friends out on this.

MariaRegina said:

I walked into a UPS distribution center, and encountered a "seminarian" from Master's University.

Right away, he asked me what to what denomination I belonged. I told him that I was Greek Orthodox. He then said, "Oh, you basically have the same theology with the Catholics, that of 'works-based' beliefs."

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People from Master's University seem to do that a lot with others from liturgical backgrounds. Sadden to see you had to experience that...

Consider this funny little dilemma.... I am teaching (in addition to a couple of other classes) a college freshman-sophomore course in "Introduction to the Christian Faith" for mostly religion majors starting in two weeks and lasting 16 weeks! Picture this...deep south (USA), small protestant college where I have taught for 14 years, Bible Belt (quite near the buckle), largely Baptist and non-denom students, most of whom have aspirations to go into youth ministry or some other sort of Protestant ministry.

My plan? First day of class....lets get all of the cards out on the table. What is YOUR label? And...I will go last. I will be the only Orthodox Christian in the room....and then, I let them have at me!

Pray for me!
Clem

Go get 'em, Clem! You can handle those Baptists, brother!

ClementofRome said:

Consider this funny little dilemma.... I am teaching (in addition to a couple of other classes) a college freshman-sophomore course in "Introduction to the Christian Faith" for mostly religion majors starting in two weeks and lasting 16 weeks! Picture this...deep south (USA), small protestant college where I have taught for 14 years, Bible Belt (quite near the buckle), largely Baptist and non-denom students, most of whom have aspirations to go into youth ministry or some other sort of Protestant ministry.

My plan? First day of class....lets get all of the cards out on the table. What is YOUR label? And...I will go last. I will be the only Orthodox Christian in the room....and then, I let them have at me!

Pray for me!
Clem

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Me too, Bourne, uh, I mean fudgemaster!

In my sixth grade classroom, we study world religions all year long. We study Judaism in great depth and Christianity as well for quite a while during our Ancient Rome unit. Some people don't realize that it's a California State mandated standard to teach Christianity in grade six!

I approach my lessons through an Orthodox perspective and the kids are blown away by it. When I present to them the Atonement through the Fathers' eyes, my kids look at me like it's a brand new religion, fascinated by it. Instead of Jesus taking a bullet for us being brutalized to pacify God's honor requirements, I present Christ as a harrower of hell, trampling death by death, and almost like Gandalf descended into the chasm fighting the Balroc in victory, Christ descended into Hades. The kids love it.

Big Fudge said:

Dang, I wish I could audit that just for the simple fact of witnessing a bunch of baptists taking a course taught by an Orthodox Christian.

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gurneyhalleck1 said:

Me too, Bourne, uh, I mean fudgemaster!

In my sixth grade classroom, we study world religions all year long. We study Judaism in great depth and Christianity as well for quite a while during our Ancient Rome unit. Some people don't realize that it's a California State mandated standard to teach Christianity in grade six!

I approach my lessons through an Orthodox perspective and the kids are blown away by it. When I present to them the Atonement through the Fathers' eyes, my kids look at me like it's a brand new religion, fascinated by it. Instead of Jesus taking a bullet for us being brutalized to pacify God's honor requirements, I present Christ as a harrower of hell, trampling death by death, and almost like Gandalf descended into the chasm fighting the Balroc in victory, Christ descended into Hades. The kids love it.

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The Hobbit Christ ... I love it.

I answer like the others on this thread. Depends on the person. I've said "Yes, I'm a Christian" at some times and other times, I explain I'm Greek Orthodox. Other times, just "Orthodox."

I had a hispanic gentleman, a Jehova's Witness, come to my door recently. Kate looked like, "oh God, that poor soul!" when she realized that this guy was going to tangle with gurney!

LOL

He asked me if I read the Bible and go to Church. I said, "oh man, you bet! In fact, I'm a member of the actual Church Christ formed 2000 years ago and the same Church that put together the Bible you're asking about! What a coincidence!"

Dorothea said:

I answer like the others on this thread. Depends on the person. I've said "Yes, I'm a Christian" at some times and other times, I explain I'm Greek Orthodox. Other times, just "Orthodox."

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I show the kids icons, tons of pictures of liturgies, talk about vestments, saints, the Passion, catacombs, etc. I show them images of the Theotokos and saints on early catacomb walls to quickly squash the iconoclastic stuff Protestants are into. We go pretty deep into it. I have different Fathers up on my Power Point and we talk about martyrdom, apostolic succession, the Eucharist, etc. It's basically Baptist Kryptonite! LOL

MariaRegina said:

The Hobbit Christ ... I love it.

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gurneyhalleck1 said:

I show the kids icons, tons of pictures of liturgies, talk about vestments, saints, the Passion, catacombs, etc. I show them images of the Theotokos and saints on early catacomb walls to quickly squash the iconoclastic stuff Protestants are into. We go pretty deep into it. I have different Fathers up on my Power Point and we talk about martyrdom, apostolic succession, the Eucharist, etc. It's basically Baptist Kryptonite! LOL

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God bless you.
Have any of your students joined the Holy Orthodox Church?

gurneyhalleck1 said:

I had a hispanic gentleman, a Jehova's Witness, come to my door recently. Kate looked like, "oh God, that poor soul!" when she realized that this guy was going to tangle with gurney!

LOL

He asked me if I read the Bible and go to Church. I said, "oh man, you bet! In fact, I'm a member of the actual Church Christ formed 2000 years ago and the same Church that put together the Bible you're asking about! What a coincidence!"

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You and my hubby are so much alike. a couple years ago, a JW came by and hubby happened to answer the door. The guy asked if he goes to church, and hubby said, "Yes, I go to THE CHURCH." The JW said, "huh, I haven't heard of that one."