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[Melony Martin]

So some background: I'm technically an atheist. I run an atheist blog, which I make money from. I used to be Anglican. However, I always thought, if there was a one true Church, it was the Orthodox Church. I've been an atheist for quite awhile. I've always focused in a very logical mode of thought. I have a math degree, after all. I have some mental health issues, which make it near impossible to connect with other modes of thinking. (I'm not autistic. It's a long story.) Still, I've come to realize that empathetic intelligence is not some type of thrift store intelligence. It is an important mode of thinking, essential actually, and it is one strengthened and used by religion. It is a mode of thought I've been neglecting, and it is mode necessary for normal human function. Religion could help me.

In short, I want to try to go to a local Eastern Orthodox Church, and I am asking for your help. How do I know if the Orthodox Church is for me? What should I know before attending service? Should I attend, or am I misguided. I wouldn't want to do or say or be anything to be sacrilegious in this church. I'm a little desperate.

 

[ArmyMatt]

How do I know if the Orthodox Church is for me?

because it was the Church established by Christ for all of the world. believe me, there are many that have followed the same path, and many who used to be atheists (including my Godbrother, who is now a deacon). don't let your past be any barrier.

What should I know before attending service?

best thing is to contact your local Orthodox Church, talk to the local priest, and do what he says. he can tell you what is appropriate and such. then when you go, as far as sitting and standing, your best bet is to follow the people and do what they do, but don't feel compelled to do anything. and then just try to soak in the service as much as you can. I recommend OCA or Antiochian first since they are the most American.

you can go here to find your closest parishes, and remember also that whatever you find, it's all the same belief and way of worship.

Directory of Parishes
http://assemblyofbishops.org/directories/parishes

Should I attend, or am I misguided.

absolutely attend. Orthodoxy is for everyone, you have a home in the Church.

I wouldn't want to do or say or be anything to be sacrilegious in this church. I'm a little desperate.

that is why you should contact the local priest so he can inform you of local practice, and he would let you know what is appropriate.

and please do stick around!

 

[Melony Martin]

Orthodoxy is for everyone, you have a home in the Church.

!

Thank you, sincerely, so much for the reply. I just have so much confusion right now.

 

[Anto9us]

My son has joined Greek Orthodox Church, I got the Orthodox Study Bible; it's commentary notes are great.

But just GO, Melony, and the Orthodox Christians can be your "living bibles"...

I only attended once -- at my son's Chrismation -- but I liked it

You can be as open or as closed about your atheism as you think best

 

[~Anastasia~]

Hello Melony Martin - welcome to CF, and a very warm welcome to TAW!

As for the rest, what Matt said. He always gives good advice. Please do contact the priest, and let us know how things go.

God be with you!

 

[Melony Martin]

My son has joined Greek Orthodox Church, I got the Orthodox Study Bible; it's commentary notes are great.

But just GO, Melony, and the Orthodox Christians can be your "living bibles"...

I only attended once -- at my son's Chrismation -- but I liked it

You can be as open or as closed about your atheism as you think best

Being open isn't too much of a problem for me. I just think that "moral reasoning" is a separate, but HIGHLY important reasoning. I can use logical reasoning to prove that the sun goes arou

My son has joined Greek Orthodox Church, I got the Orthodox Study Bible; it's commentary notes are great.

But just GO, Melony, and the Orthodox Christians can be your "living bibles"...

I only attended once -- at my son's Chrismation -- but I liked it

You can be as open or as closed about your atheism as you think best

I can be open. That's not a problem. I'm beginning to think, though, that there is more to life than one type of reasoning. I can use logic and science to prove the earth goes around the sun. I can hypothesize why humans fall in love, but I can't prove why they should. I can't prove why they OUGHT to care for the poor, and there are so many of them. And, I DO care. That's moral reasoning to me. That's empathetic reasoning, so what am I to do? Secular Humanism is a joke. It's the naturalistic fallacy at it's best. I'm pretty sure I'm going to try Orthodoxy. (Although, I feel sorry for the priest!) I'm just so confused. Sorry for the weird post guys, but I appreciate all the help I can get.

 

[Anto9us]

I don't feel sorry for the priest -- that's what he's THERE FOR !!

(I say 'he' -- cuz I don't know if Orthodox have female clergy like Methodists do...)

Yes, there is more than one type of reasoning - right brain, left brain - phenomenological, numinous;
however you label it

 

[ArmyMatt]

Thank you, sincerely, so much for the reply. I just have so much confusion right now.

you are more than welcome. take it a day at a time. Orthodoxy has been here for 2000 years, so it ain't go anywhere. be patient and you'll be aiight

 

[sunshineforJesus]

Hi and welcome to C F

 

[prodromos]

So some background: I'm technically an atheist. I run an atheist blog, which I make money from. I used to be Anglican. However, I always thought, if there was a one true Church, it was the Orthodox Church. I've been an atheist for quite awhile. I've always focused in a very logical mode of thought. I have a math degree, after all.

I read the above and couldn't help but think of John Lennox. I don't know if you are familiar with him but he is Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University, a fervent Christian and he has gone head to head in debates with the most hard core atheists. He is a joy to listen to
John Lennox

 

[graphite412]

What should I know before attending service?

There are a couple articles on the net that give a brief heads up to what to expect when attending a service at an Orthodox Church. I just listened the first time and really didn't try to follow the books. Try contacting the parish priest before attending and asking about the dress code; it can vary depending on the parish. Also if you are nervous in larger groups, attending a different service other than liturgy, such as vespers, might work best at first.

What to expect articles:
12 Things I Wish I'd Known - Frederica.com
Things I Wish I’d Known Before Attending

Also if there is a coffee hour afterwards or a luncheon I would recommend trying to connect with people there and asking questions. My first visit to a service was a morning prayer service of the hours, and there were only three of us there. Afterwards I talked to the both of them, who were the reader and deacon of the parish, for about two and a half hours. It was great.

 

[Melony Martin]

I read the above and couldn't help but think of John Lennox. I don't know if you are familiar with him but he is Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University, a fervent Christian and he has gone head to head in debates with the most hard core atheists. He is a joy to listen to
John Lennox

I am actually familiar with him! I watch some his debates on YouTube.

 

[SeraphimSarov]

I am a former die-hard atheist. PM me if you want to talk.

 

[~Anastasia~]

There are a couple articles on the net that give a brief heads up to what to expect when attending a service at an Orthodox Church. I just listened the first time and really didn't try to follow the books. Try contacting the parish priest before attending and asking about the dress code; it can vary depending on the parish. Also if you are nervous in larger groups, attending a different service other than liturgy, such as vespers, might work best at first.

What to expect articles:
12 Things I Wish I'd Known - Frederica.com
Things I Wish I’d Known Before Attending

Also if there is a coffee hour afterwards or a luncheon I would recommend trying to connect with people there and asking questions. My first visit to a service was a morning prayer service of the hours, and there were only three of us there. Afterwards I talked to the both of them, who were the reader and deacon of the parish, for about two and a half hours. It was great.

You mention something that often gets overlooked.

Sometimes people are chatty in Church, but often from the time they step into the Narthex, they are immersed in their purpose for being there. They may not speak to others, or only so briefly. It can come across, I think, as unfriendliness sometimes, but it is really respect for God. Those same people are happy to greet a person warmly and chat for hours - AFTER Church.

So if it so happens that people don't seem to say much in Church, or anything at all, please understand it doesn't mean you are unwelcome. They may already be praying.

 

[Anhelyna]

Wot she said /\ /\ /\

 

[Sword of the Lord]

You mention something that often gets overlooked.

Sometimes people are chatty in Church, but often from the time they step into the Narthex, they are immersed in their purpose for being there. They may not speak to others, or only so briefly. It can come across, I think, as unfriendliness sometimes, but it is really respect for God. Those same people are happy to greet a person warmly and chat for hours - AFTER Church.

So if it so happens that people don't seem to say much in Church, or anything at all, please understand it doesn't mean you are unwelcome. They may already be praying.

Truth!

I actually am Autistic (Asperger's Syndrome), but my Autism isn't exactly why I do not speak to anyone in church, although it is why I do not communicate well and wish to avoid it, but if confronted, I will speak.

From the moment I walk through those doors until the moment I walk out of them, I am in contact with God. I like to be early so I can sit in peace and quiet and focus on the altar in prayer. I pray mostly that I am worthy to take the Eucharist. After service, I neither bolt out of the church nor do I go to the lobby area to conversate. I stay where I am to offer prayers of thanksgiving. I am there for God, not man; see me after I've left.

 

[~Anastasia~]

It's something I try to be aware of.

We don't have official welcoming persons (coming soon!) but because some come because I invite them during our Church tours, they seem to often gravitate to me. And even if they've never seen anyone there before. Maybe I appear especially non-threatening or something. I'm not an imposing presence, lol.

But anyway, it seems to fall to me more often than not, and I enjoy it. But I'm TERRIBLE with faces, and I don't want to greet a "newcomer" who ends up being a 3rd generation member I just don't recognize, and me just a convert. So I'm a bit uncomfortable about that.

What I actually meant to say though, is that I try to be aware. But some weeks ago, someone joined us in the choir loft. She was near me, and I meant to be more welcoming before we finished, but I especially kind of wall myself off mentally in the choir loft, because there IS some chatting there, and we have responsibilities during the Liturgy, so my opportunity to pray is very limited. So I'm usually only aware of what I need to be aware of, and not chatty. I missed the chance, and haven't seen her again. I think she was someone's out of town family, but I still feel badly for maybe seeming dismissive.

 

[Melony Martin]

You mention something that often gets overlooked.

Sometimes people are chatty in Church, but often from the time they step into the Narthex, they are immersed in their purpose for being there. They may not speak to others, or only so briefly. It can come across, I think, as unfriendliness sometimes, but it is really respect for God. Those same people are happy to greet a person warmly and chat for hours - AFTER Church.

So if it so happens that people don't seem to say much in Church, or anything at all, please understand it doesn't mean you are unwelcome. They may already be praying.

Thank you for the response, and I expect that to happen. I think it would be weird if it didn't, which might be judgmental on my part, but for me the service is supposed to be for God. Coffee hour is for chatting. Plus, I'm not a very social creature anyway; although, if I went to coffee hour, and no one said hello, I might wonder about the community.

 

[~Anastasia~]

Thank you for the response, and I expect that to happen. I think it would be weird if it didn't, which might be judgmental on my part, but for me the service is supposed to be for God. Coffee hour is for chatting. Plus, I'm not a very social creature anyway; although, if I went to coffee hour, and no one said hello, I might wonder about the community.

Hopefully that won't happen.

I've been welcomed in coffee hour at every parish I've visited, except one. And that was a HUGE Church. I guess they didn't realize I wasn't a regular, but no one knew me, and there was as far as I could tell nothing set up to deal with the situation. HUGE parish hall, lots of groups of people. I got some refreshments, wandered around, could never seem to make myself part of a group without interrupting someone, so after a while I left. I'm actually painfully shy as far as my normal personality I guess, though I chat with strangers easily under almost any circumstances. But that was my "fail" lol, and except one lady in the Narthex once, no one ever did speak to me there, though I went a dozen or so times. Maybe it's the nature of a very large parish, I don't know. But it was an absolutely huge Church. Iirc three priests giving the Eucharist on Sundays.

 

[mcarmichael]

So some background: I'm technically an atheist. I run an atheist blog, which I make money from. I used to be Anglican. However, I always thought, if there was a one true Church, it was the Orthodox Church. I've been an atheist for quite awhile. I've always focused in a very logical mode of thought. I have a math degree, after all. I have some mental health issues, which make it near impossible to connect with other modes of thinking. (I'm not autistic. It's a long story.) Still, I've come to realize that empathetic intelligence is not some type of thrift store intelligence. It is an important mode of thinking, essential actually, and it is one strengthened and used by religion. It is a mode of thought I've been neglecting, and it is mode necessary for normal human function. Religion could help me.

In short, I want to try to go to a local Eastern Orthodox Church, and I am asking for your help. How do I know if the Orthodox Church is for me? What should I know before attending service? Should I attend, or am I misguided. I wouldn't want to do or say or be anything to be sacrilegious in this church. I'm a little desperate.

Send that to the priest in an email.
There are a couple of things to watch out for; for example the Ethiopian Zion Coptic Orthodox are not Orthodox.