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Democratic solutions to despotism in Christian Orthodoxy

By Ordan Andreevski - posted Tuesday, 31 May 2022


All people in the Balkans and beyond must enjoy equal rights to freedom , security, non-coercion, non-discrimination, pride in their identity and nationhood.

The religious and political elites must stop using propaganda to construct a dangerous new political and religious reality for Macedonia by manufacturing consent. It is a dark and unethical process that reshapes a normative reality that advances the specific interests of elite power.

The despots in Orthodox Christianity must understand the trends that are occurring such as increased expectations for greater public engagement in policy making and scrutiny of decisions. Worshipers and citizens demand more official openness, accountability, oversight and explanation of decisions. There is declining trust in political and religious institutions. Truth and humility must replace arrogance and dogmatism.

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Tribal politics must be replaced by a new political culture of treating all people with respect. A society that treats all people equally, that values truth and reason, that advances social justice and religious freedom of all including Macedonians.

The despots in our churches need to look at the excellent research on human needs and in particular identity needs . When the non-negotiable, non-material identity needs of a people are threatened they will resist. People are driven by emotions and emotions are linked to identity needs. Macedonians are peaceful people who need connectedness, security, recognition, self-esteem driven action and the need for meaning. When our five identity needs are threatened particularly by injustice then we have to seek peaceful democratic solutions to despotism in Orthodox Christianity or move beyond them.

 

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About the Author

Ordan Andreevski is an advisory board member of the United Macedonian Diaspora

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