The Reductionism of Orthodox Christianity

 

The Reductionism of Orthodox Christianity
by Fr Sym'on, Er.S.B., B.P.S

 What is Reductionism?  As the term gets used in religious studies, "reductionism" refers to "an analysis of religion in secular rather than religious terms. The origin, function, meaning, and even truth of religion are subject to reduction". [1]

In this article we are using the term "reductionism" as the consequence to the commodification of holy symbolism of Orthodox Tradition, especially those symbols unique to monasticism.

 What is Commodification?  "Commodification is the process of transforming inalienable, free, or gifted things (objects, services, ideas, nature, personal information, people or animals) into commodities, or objects for sale." [2]

The commodification of monasticism refer to the way monastic practices and symbols have been commercialized or exploited for economic gain. This could include the sale of religious artifacts, the promotion of monastic sites as tourist destinations, or, as in this case, the use of monastic imagery in advertising, popular culture and the sale of products bearing sacred symbolism.

Over several recent years, laymen, both Orthodox and non-Orthodox, have begun selling "merch" such as tumblers, notebooks, clothing bearing the signs of the Great Schema, Icons,  and more.  Why is this such a problem?  The common usage of sacred symbolism eventually devalues or reduces one's relationship to the holiness or exclusiveness of monastic and ecclesial signs and symbols on par with collegiate logos or slogans on tee-shirts and sweatshirts.  When the common usage of Church symbols has been reduced in the minds of those who purchase such products and in the minds of those who observe these being used or worn by common people the importance of these sacred symbols are belittled.  This will eventually lead to the furtherance of a reduction of Orthodox doctrine and practices as time goes by.

One of the most glaring and offensive examples are from LGFG Fashion House.  This is the company who had gifted the popular social critic and Jungian psychologist Jordan B. Peterson twelve suits with which some of the suit coats display icons and schema symbols.

Let's see what I am writing about. Dr Peterson's Schema suit coat.  another.  Dr Peterson's Icon suit coat.  another.

Then there are the profiteering laity making money from sacred symbols of Orthodoxy that they have no right or blessing to create and sell.  The following links are examples of this.

A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  There are other items besides clothing available from such vendors.

As I said, the commodifying of sacred symbols and images belonging to the Orthodox Church and Her monasteries eventually will lead to the reductionist view of every other aspect of Orthodoxy.  This reductionism likewise will lead to the phenomena of Cultural Orthodox Christianity.  The Ecumenical Heresy is pulling all of these developments in hand with the actions of persons in their individualism.

An aside issue being, that there are so many laymen, Orthodox and non-Orthodox, selling actual Church items, it places real monasteries in an unfair competition against these secular vendors.  The only solution at present is for these vendors to donate 10% of their profits to a monastery every month.

Another aside issue, the plethora of lay "Orthodox theologians" and "Christian Philosophers" appearing on YouTube expounding on the Orthodox Faith and doing comparisons to non-Orthodox philosophies.  Only the well informed and the well educated Orthodox can discern the errors of these folks.  This makes the chances of unorthodox errors and possibly heresy to be presented to the unexpecting Orthodox laity, Catechumen and interested non-Orthodox.  My suspicion is these YouTube "teachers" probably do not have a blessing from their Bishop.  If not then they are not authorized to open their mouths!

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[1]  Robert A. Segal, Reductionism in the Study of Religion, (Religion and Reductionism: Brill 1994    pg 4)   DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004378841_003

[2] Wikipedia contributors. (2024, June 9). Commodification. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 19:59, July 5, 2024, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Commodification&oldid=1228158410