From the blog In Your Light, We Shall See Light:
This little gem concerns Orthodox converts, especially in America. Converting to Orthodox isn’t quite like converting to Catholicism, I think. There is more cultural and ethnic identity to Orthodoxy than there is to Catholicism, which the convert has to deal with, or assimilate. But, I think this is an interesting article on Orthodox converts, anyhow:
‘More Orthodox’ than the Orthodox by John Dart..
It’s commonly observed that converts to a faith are the most ardent defenders of it. That seems to be the case with American converts to Orthodoxy. The large number of converts attending Orthodox seminaries prompted Alexey D. Krindatch, a sociologist of religion, to wonder whetheran “Americanization” of Eastern Orthodoxy might lie ahead. His conclusion:”Probably not.”Responses from students at three seminaries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) – the two largest Orthodox bodies in the U.S. – confirmed, he said, “the widespread notionthat Protestant and Catholic converts tend to be ‘more Orthodox’ than persons who were born and raised” as Orthodox.
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The converts expressed more conservative attitudes than Orthodox-born seminarians did on, for instance, accepting the authority of bishops anddiscouraging ecumenical worship and religiously mixed marriages. Krindatch reported his findings at the annual meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion.
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Asked why the tradition-bound, liturgically intricate Orthodox churches are attracting converts, Krindatch suggested in an interview that many of theformer evangelical Protestants studying for the Orthodox priesthood see a”discrepancy” between their strong personal faith “and the fact that theirchurches have no historical roots in original Christianity, no apostolic succession and no liturgical atmosphere.”In the case of former Catholics and Episcopalians, however, converts areattempting to “return to their churches” religious experiences of 20 to 30 years ago, when their churches were more “traditional.”
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While both Orthodox-born seminarians and the converts were relatively similar in religious upbringing, education and family income level, the former evangelicals “come from much wealthier families” that were very active churchgoers. The ex-evangelicals were more likely to have a higherlevel of secular education as well as businessmen fathers, and they “were more definite in their plans to be ordained and serve as priests” than were their classmates...
‘More Orthodox’ than the Orthodox by John Dart..
It’s commonly observed that converts to a faith are the most ardent defenders of it. That seems to be the case with American converts to Orthodoxy. The large number of converts attending Orthodox seminaries prompted Alexey D. Krindatch, a sociologist of religion, to wonder whetheran “Americanization” of Eastern Orthodoxy might lie ahead. His conclusion:”Probably not.”Responses from students at three seminaries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) – the two largest Orthodox bodies in the U.S. – confirmed, he said, “the widespread notionthat Protestant and Catholic converts tend to be ‘more Orthodox’ than persons who were born and raised” as Orthodox.
.
The converts expressed more conservative attitudes than Orthodox-born seminarians did on, for instance, accepting the authority of bishops anddiscouraging ecumenical worship and religiously mixed marriages. Krindatch reported his findings at the annual meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion.
.
Asked why the tradition-bound, liturgically intricate Orthodox churches are attracting converts, Krindatch suggested in an interview that many of theformer evangelical Protestants studying for the Orthodox priesthood see a”discrepancy” between their strong personal faith “and the fact that theirchurches have no historical roots in original Christianity, no apostolic succession and no liturgical atmosphere.”In the case of former Catholics and Episcopalians, however, converts areattempting to “return to their churches” religious experiences of 20 to 30 years ago, when their churches were more “traditional.”
.
While both Orthodox-born seminarians and the converts were relatively similar in religious upbringing, education and family income level, the former evangelicals “come from much wealthier families” that were very active churchgoers. The ex-evangelicals were more likely to have a higherlevel of secular education as well as businessmen fathers, and they “were more definite in their plans to be ordained and serve as priests” than were their classmates...
Complete article here.
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Well, I only wrote the first paragraph. Do you disagree?
ReplyDeleteI think converting to Catholicism is just as easy as converting to Protestantism, and that one has to really dig into it to find the cultural and ethnic aspect of it, considering the American assimilation of Catholicism. It seems like Orthodoxy is harder to assimilate.
I can understand why many Protestants would convert to Eastern Orthodoxy or Roman Catholicism; namely, because Protestantism did not begin until 1517 -- or about 1500 years after the birth of Christ. Consequently, these converts are seeking the historical roots of Christianity, as well as apostle succession in their religion.
ReplyDeleteWith your first paragraph? Not at all. It is true the the Catholic churches in the US used to follow very strict ethnic lines (Poles went to Polish parishes, Germans went to German parishes, etc.). Today in Orthodoxy it is not uncommon for Orthodox to build parishes that feel like home (case in point the earlier reported on Russian church in Israel built even though Arab and Greek parishes already existed in the area). Further, if you want to "participate" (I use that term loosely - acknowledging the loaded nature of the term) in a Divine Liturgy it is not uncommon to get an odd look or two from the choir if you don't know the music, but give it a go anyway because the words are. Compare this to the numerous Latin pew books with an easy to follow, familiar set of hymns to sing. As a singer comfortable with prostopinije and a regular attender at a parish using Russian chant I have to acknowledge the variation just as I note the numerous little differences in the way the priest and people act during the liturgy.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I wanted to avoid the whole discourse on converts vs. cradle Catholics. I know several converts who are pretty staunchly traditional, but I've also met one who still thinks the priesthood should be open to women. I think its all about how one is catechized.
ReplyDeleteIn Catholicism today, there also seems to be a debate whether converts are really more "Catholic" than their cradle brethren. As I said above, some of that hubris comes from converts being better catechized than life-long Catholics of a similar age (mid-20s), as they are subject to the shenanigans resulting from the "spirit" of Vatican II.
Of course, it doesn't help that some Catholic public figures are wishy-washy on doctrine, or try to "spin" it to fit their views (Nancy Pelosi's odd reading of Augustine, for instance).