- Sep 29, 2016
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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
My name is Matt, and right now I am a Catholic (born and raised) who is considering the possibility of converting to the (Eastern) Orthodox faith.
However, even though the answer may be "it isn't relevant", I can't help but bring up a question regarding the Eastern Orthodox Churches - specifically the Russian Orthodox Church.
For those who are aware of international affairs, the government of Russia (although better than the Soviet Union in terms of rights) has increasingly become more and more authoritarian, and just recently, in July, passed a law which, for all intensive purposes, prohibits conversion to any other Christian denomination that isn't Orthodox (i.e., Evangelism has deemed illegal).
And it seems that the Russian Orthodox Church has not only silently nodded their heads in encouragement towards this law (which I deem as immoral, which I will get into later), but it seems that several aspects of Russian society seemingly have been seized by the Orthodox Church, in ways that I disagree with (for instance, banning swearing in media, banning anything critical of the Church, etc.)
Maybe it is because I am American, but I am a very strong believer in the separation of Church and State (which, in my mind, is not equivalent to removing the word "God" from government buildings, or banning religion in public areas). I believe in this for two reasons:
1. The relationship between one of God's children and God Himself should not have government intervention, as Jesus stated Himself: "Give unto Caesar what is Caesar's and give unto God what is God's." People need to be open to other beliefs pertaining to God, and challenge their beliefs in order to have a deeper understanding of their own faith, or better yet, finding a more truthful faith. In societal conformity to religion, especially by force of government, people are apathetic to learning deeper truths and establishing a relationship with God, and just passively accepting their faith as purely cultural rather than a true belief. The needs of society tend to outweigh the needs of God.
2. The more obvious answer, that when a government becomes theocratic, the government will be able to more easily commit atrocities in the name of God (not that I am saying religion in of itself leads to war or genocide, but it can be used as one of the many excuses for such). It may also leads to suppression of God's children of other faiths (as shown here; other Christian brothers and sisters are now being persecuted). And finally, as Jesus stated the Golden Rule "Do to others what you want them to do to you...", we should respect other faiths much like we expect other faiths to treat us; we never do respect the idea of the persecution of Christians which is going on in even the most secular Middle Eastern countries (e.g., ISIS, the Turkish government's and societal treatment of Orthodox Christians in Istanbul).
Now, of course, these beliefs have a possibility of bringing in conflict in my future possible faith (which is interested in the OCA, which was a Russian Orthodox affiliated denomination that is now autocephalic). It seems like a great start that I am interested in a religion and am already concerned about potential corruption and moral depravity in one of the in-communion Churches, to a degree that Luther was!
I was wondering if these political beliefs would possibly be a hindrance to my potential faith; to what degree do the Orthodox Churches prohibit political beliefs and ideologies such as these, and to what degree do the Orthodox Churches prohibit criticism of the Churches in terms of corruption or moral wrongs committed (not doctrine, but political actions)?
I of course, mean by prohibit, as "view sinful."
I mean, the Catholic Church was once very intolerant of hostile opinions and allegations of corruption to the Church, but now are seemingly more open to different beliefs that don't violate fundamental morals. The Catholic Church, although still corrupt to a degree (i.e., the child-abuse cover ups), acknowledges it does not have a squeaky clean history and realizes / allows allegations of corruption and wrong doing.
Is there a variety of political opinions in the Churches across the world, or do they mandate to follow a specific political opinion that is viewed as correct or Christlike?
I mean, the Russian Orthodox Church prevented a separate Ukrainian Orthodox Church to come in communion (due to the obvious Ukraine conflict), and this was accepted by the other major Orthodox Churches. I'm concerned that the Orthodox Church - having a massive Russian influence - may view such beliefs and criticisms of the Russian Orthodox Church as sinful, and, if one day comes where I am vocal enough, or the Church becomes too corrupt, that I may be excommunicated from the Orthodox Faith.
God bless you.
-Matt
St. Michael, my Confirmation Saint, pray for us.
My name is Matt, and right now I am a Catholic (born and raised) who is considering the possibility of converting to the (Eastern) Orthodox faith.
However, even though the answer may be "it isn't relevant", I can't help but bring up a question regarding the Eastern Orthodox Churches - specifically the Russian Orthodox Church.
For those who are aware of international affairs, the government of Russia (although better than the Soviet Union in terms of rights) has increasingly become more and more authoritarian, and just recently, in July, passed a law which, for all intensive purposes, prohibits conversion to any other Christian denomination that isn't Orthodox (i.e., Evangelism has deemed illegal).
And it seems that the Russian Orthodox Church has not only silently nodded their heads in encouragement towards this law (which I deem as immoral, which I will get into later), but it seems that several aspects of Russian society seemingly have been seized by the Orthodox Church, in ways that I disagree with (for instance, banning swearing in media, banning anything critical of the Church, etc.)
Maybe it is because I am American, but I am a very strong believer in the separation of Church and State (which, in my mind, is not equivalent to removing the word "God" from government buildings, or banning religion in public areas). I believe in this for two reasons:
1. The relationship between one of God's children and God Himself should not have government intervention, as Jesus stated Himself: "Give unto Caesar what is Caesar's and give unto God what is God's." People need to be open to other beliefs pertaining to God, and challenge their beliefs in order to have a deeper understanding of their own faith, or better yet, finding a more truthful faith. In societal conformity to religion, especially by force of government, people are apathetic to learning deeper truths and establishing a relationship with God, and just passively accepting their faith as purely cultural rather than a true belief. The needs of society tend to outweigh the needs of God.
2. The more obvious answer, that when a government becomes theocratic, the government will be able to more easily commit atrocities in the name of God (not that I am saying religion in of itself leads to war or genocide, but it can be used as one of the many excuses for such). It may also leads to suppression of God's children of other faiths (as shown here; other Christian brothers and sisters are now being persecuted). And finally, as Jesus stated the Golden Rule "Do to others what you want them to do to you...", we should respect other faiths much like we expect other faiths to treat us; we never do respect the idea of the persecution of Christians which is going on in even the most secular Middle Eastern countries (e.g., ISIS, the Turkish government's and societal treatment of Orthodox Christians in Istanbul).
Now, of course, these beliefs have a possibility of bringing in conflict in my future possible faith (which is interested in the OCA, which was a Russian Orthodox affiliated denomination that is now autocephalic). It seems like a great start that I am interested in a religion and am already concerned about potential corruption and moral depravity in one of the in-communion Churches, to a degree that Luther was!
I was wondering if these political beliefs would possibly be a hindrance to my potential faith; to what degree do the Orthodox Churches prohibit political beliefs and ideologies such as these, and to what degree do the Orthodox Churches prohibit criticism of the Churches in terms of corruption or moral wrongs committed (not doctrine, but political actions)?
I of course, mean by prohibit, as "view sinful."
I mean, the Catholic Church was once very intolerant of hostile opinions and allegations of corruption to the Church, but now are seemingly more open to different beliefs that don't violate fundamental morals. The Catholic Church, although still corrupt to a degree (i.e., the child-abuse cover ups), acknowledges it does not have a squeaky clean history and realizes / allows allegations of corruption and wrong doing.
Is there a variety of political opinions in the Churches across the world, or do they mandate to follow a specific political opinion that is viewed as correct or Christlike?
I mean, the Russian Orthodox Church prevented a separate Ukrainian Orthodox Church to come in communion (due to the obvious Ukraine conflict), and this was accepted by the other major Orthodox Churches. I'm concerned that the Orthodox Church - having a massive Russian influence - may view such beliefs and criticisms of the Russian Orthodox Church as sinful, and, if one day comes where I am vocal enough, or the Church becomes too corrupt, that I may be excommunicated from the Orthodox Faith.
God bless you.
-Matt
St. Michael, my Confirmation Saint, pray for us.
