Having studied up on the Orthodox, it is still odd to me that any young male in the USA would go for it. The article stated it was perhaps because it was seen as a "masculine" religion, but that does not explain it to me at all. I don't want to offend anyone from other cultures, but it is certainly not American culture for young men to bow and kiss the ring of a long-haired, bearded man who is wearing a floor-length gown. That kind of submission is not in our DNA (remember we even ousted a king a long time ago...).
Their Mariology seems to me also that it would not appeal to young American men who were not brought up Catholic, or to those seeking a masculine religion. The doctrines of Theotokos, where Mary is the victor over sin, the forgiver, the healer, the salvation of mankind (indeed, that it was her idea in the first place, when living in the holy of holies, as one did back then...) to my mind would not appeal to a masculine man whereas the man Christ Jesus would.
I think the answer to why it is popular has more to do with their demeaning of the Bible. I was told by one that we have the "baby Bible" and that they have so much more. One of my suspicions is that the appeal to young American men has to be the idea of "mystery" and "ancient" things; that there is something that goes beyond the Bible that your parents didn't know, that there is dabbling in the spirit realm (as the appeal of eastern religions were in the hippie era).
As for masculinity, there are many American religions that teach that men are the provider and head of the family. If you want to be different, why not just go become Amish? Their women are taught to be submissive, they have lots of kids, their guys have beards, and what is more masculine than hard work all day off-grid with your hands?
Amish are pacifists though and can't bear weapons, can they? As for the rest, a lot of it (not all) could also be said about Catholics and they have quite a presence in the US. Even the new Pope is an American;)
Having studied up on the Orthodox, it is still odd to me that any young male in the USA would go for it. The article stated it was perhaps because it was seen as a "masculine" religion, but that does not explain it to me at all. I don't want to offend anyone from other cultures, but it is certainly not American culture for young men to bow and kiss the ring of a long-haired, bearded man who is wearing a floor-length gown. That kind of submission is not in our DNA (remember we even ousted a king a long time ago...).
ReplyDeleteTheir Mariology seems to me also that it would not appeal to young American men who were not brought up Catholic, or to those seeking a masculine religion. The doctrines of Theotokos, where Mary is the victor over sin, the forgiver, the healer, the salvation of mankind (indeed, that it was her idea in the first place, when living in the holy of holies, as one did back then...) to my mind would not appeal to a masculine man whereas the man Christ Jesus would.
I think the answer to why it is popular has more to do with their demeaning of the Bible. I was told by one that we have the "baby Bible" and that they have so much more. One of my suspicions is that the appeal to young American men has to be the idea of "mystery" and "ancient" things; that there is something that goes beyond the Bible that your parents didn't know, that there is dabbling in the spirit realm (as the appeal of eastern religions were in the hippie era).
As for masculinity, there are many American religions that teach that men are the provider and head of the family. If you want to be different, why not just go become Amish? Their women are taught to be submissive, they have lots of kids, their guys have beards, and what is more masculine than hard work all day off-grid with your hands?
Oops forgot to leave a handle: Elizabeth H.
ReplyDeleteAmish are pacifists though and can't bear weapons, can they?
ReplyDeleteAs for the rest, a lot of it (not all) could also be said about Catholics and they have quite a presence in the US. Even the new Pope is an American;)
Well now, this has sent me down a 24 hour rabbit hole ....😉
ReplyDelete