We’re Broken: First Thoughts on Orthodox Racism

10253913_750400441645856_6540244272223503811_nMatthew Heimbach is a white nationalist and an Orthodox Christian (see photo). Many of you already know this story. For those who don’t, I’ll sum up the major points: People found out that this guy was recently received into the Orthodox Church and raised hell because he, and several other individuals, seemed to believe that Orthodoxy was consistent with their racist beliefs. Mr. Heimbach was recently excommunicated, pending repentance and renunciation of his beliefs. Since then, some of his compatriots have come out to insist that they are not racist at all, and the entire thing is a big misunderstanding pushed by anti-white communist leftists who are in the pockets of the Jews (read the comments).

I try not to write when my emotions are raw, and this whole thing has me reeling. It will take me days, or more, before I am able to work toward an intelligent response. Right now, I just cannot help but wonder what’s wrong with us. Seriously, Orthodoxy in America has a problem. What do I mean? You might think I am over-reacting. This is an isolated incident of a few white guys in a very racist city (Bloomington, IN) not understanding that Orthodoxy frowns upon using crosses as weapons to push a racist agenda. But I wonder what the chances are that somebody could not “get” the church’s teachings about this:

Presidio_per_matrimonio_gay_-_Foto_Giovanni_Dall'Orto,_23-Mar-2010_-_04

The end.

(Addendum: Some might say that there are no canons about using crosses as weapons. That is true. And in my home, there are no rules about not peeing on the television. Because there are some things you just should not have to make rules for.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Orthodoxy without Empire: The Problem of Symphonia

Sts. Peter and Paul Church, via Orthodox Wiki
Sts. Peter and Paul Church, via Orthodox Wiki

I’ve noticed something disturbing on certain blogs and Facebook profiles lately. Some of my sisters and brothers in the Orthodox Church seem wedded to Christendom. They describe themselves variously as monarchists, supporters of the imperium, and advocates for “symphonia.” Symphonia means “harmony.” Typically it is taken to mean that Orthodox politics promotes a harmony between church and state. This ethos is best captured in the image of the two headed eagle, wielding a cross in one talon and a sword in the other (the symbols vary). For Orthodox Christians like Stanley Harakas, symphonia should guide our involvement in a democratic society, but I get the impression that some would prefer we get our empire back.

Continue reading “Orthodoxy without Empire: The Problem of Symphonia”

Women, Can You Relate?

I am struck by how unwilling people are to identify with feminism. The other day I posted this video to my Facebook timeline stating, “For me, 2:55 says it all. If you don’t “get” feminism, watch this, and lose your misconceptions.” I was surprised at how many of my Facebook friends said, in effect, “I don’t get it.” Some blamed the girl’s family. Others said that it’s just common sense that women can do anything men can do (I pointed out that it wasn’t common sense 100 years ago). Many were reluctant to cast blame on “the system.”

I could go on and give examples of ways the system seems obviously tilted in a male direction, but it occurs to me that, were I to do that, I would be talking more about women than letting women speak for themselves. So I simply want to ask a question of all the female readers out there. When you look at this video, can you relate?

The GOP Shutdown: Democracy in Action

via Wikimedia Commons
via Wikimedia Commons

Let me preface this by saying that this is going to be a short post. You might have noticed that I have been posting a bit less frequently (but probably you did not notice anything at all). Here are the details, but the short version is that I am trying to honor the grace and patience of my editor. Still, I do political theology, so I feel obliged to make a brief observation about the government shutdown. My point is more philosophical than theological (Jerusalem and Athens have always been “passionate” lovers, in every sense of that word, no matter what Tertullian says). If you are looking for a partisan rant about how the GOP is obstructing the democratic process, expect to be disappointed, because I don’t think they are obstructing democracy at all. I think the government shutdown is democracy in action.

Continue reading “The GOP Shutdown: Democracy in Action”

“Au Contraire Mr. Fugelsang!” – Three Legitimate Reasons Christians Oppose Welfare (and Why they are Wrong)

If you don’t want tax dollars helping the sick and poor, then it’s time to stop saying you want a government based on Christian values.

539326_167519193396548_1691013125_nI shared this picture on Facebook the other day because I agree with the sentiment, but I disagree with its simplicity. John Fugelsang correctly identified hypocrisy in the Christian Right, but he applied his diagnosis too broadly.

There are three legitimate reasons why a conservative Christian might want the government to get out of the welfare business: Continue reading ““Au Contraire Mr. Fugelsang!” – Three Legitimate Reasons Christians Oppose Welfare (and Why they are Wrong)”

Why Killing in Self-Defense is Still a Sin

St. George & the Dragon, detail [Wikimedia Commons]
St. George & the Dragon, detail [Wikimedia Commons]
I recently wrote that a Christian should not carry a concealed weapon because it violated the spirit of martyrdom and self-sacrifice the church tries to teach us. One common objection to this point was that to choose not to kill in the defense of another human being would be unloving. I agree. It would be unloving to the potential victim, and it would be unloving to the potential victimizer. In the Orthodox Church, killing in defense of self and country is still a sin. Continue reading “Why Killing in Self-Defense is Still a Sin”