I open this up for discussion, something that I have been praying about, giving some thought to. Especially when I read much of the verbage on this board.
I first ask, could it not be, many of us as Americans, who are raised to be so fiercely independent, so prideful and arrogant about who we are and what we represent, that somehow this has influence the Church.
Example: A Bishop makes a request of a Priest (within the cofines of what is truly acceptable within Orthodoxy), and the Priest, doesn't want to, so out of disobedience, goes to another Jurisdiction. Maybe he was OCA, and now goes to the JP, or Antiochian, or ROCOR, or, or, or. He knows chances are that he will be accepted into the other jurisdiction, and so obedience to one's Bishop is thrown out the window. This type of behavior is acceptable on two parts. One, in America, this happens quite frequently in Protestant Circles. Don't like the Church, go to another one.
Well, unfortunately, it seems to be happening more and more in Orthodoxy. Jurisdictionalism is a form of Protestanism is it not? It's interesting that we have so many Jurisdictions in the US, does Russia, Greece, Antioch have similar Jurisdictions coming into their country?
I many times wonder if it is lack of obedience, our arrogance, pride that has influenced this type of behavior. Don't say it doesn't go on, because unfortunately it does. Church hopping in Protestantism is Jurisdictionalism in Orthodoxy. Then, after you leave, you will bad mouth that Jurisdiction, just like a Protestant would when they Church hop.
And what is it within some of us, to compel us to be so concerned about being within the "True Church", while it no longer suffices to be part of the "True Faith - Orthodoxy". Can anyone of you truly say, that you love God with all your body, mind, heart and soul, and your neighbor as yourself? If not, would it not behoove you first, to do that, then once you are perfect, then point fingers? But then again, if you did, you probably wouldn't do so....would you? Is this part of our cultural makeup that has infected the Church as well. Frankly, while a Protestant, the more Conservative Churches did the same thing. An attitude of superiority, all the while they by their lives they exhibited something totally different.
I ask you as brothers and sisters, especially the ones who are so evidently condescending, do you have your "Spiritual Life" so together, that you are now at that level to be dictating to others what it means to be Truly Orthodox? IF so, then you should be Elders, Staretz, are you? Do you feel you are of that calibur of holy man or woman of God? I confess I am not and that is why I do not participate on this board, as others do. I recognize my sins, I recognize my faults. Even as a Reader in the Orthodox Church, my unworthiness to perform such tasks.
Frankly as I go on in Orthodoxy, I recognize more and more of my sins and shortcomings. May God have mercy on me.
So, I open this up for discussion, for others to share their views on the subject of American Cultural and Protestant Influences on the Church.
If I have offended anyone in any of my remarks above, I truly do bow and ask your forgiveness.
With humble bow,
Reader Chrysostomos
