Orthodox Christian countries vs Buddhist countries

[black hole]

Where would you prefer to live, which of the two places attract the most?


https://i.postimg.cc/fTW2rLvw/A-large-blank-world-map-with-oceans-marked-in-blue.png


Souteast Europe (Orthodox majority)


Romania
Moldova
Ukraine
Serbia
Macedonia
Montenegro
Bulgaria
Greece
Georgia
Armenia






Southeast Asia (Buddhist majority)



Myanmar
Thailand
Laos
Cambodia
Vietnam

[black hole]

https://icds.ee/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/A-TOMOS-FOR-UKRAINE%E2%80%99S-ORTHODOX-CHURCH-THE-FINAL-SCHISM-sputnik-scanpix.jpg














https://i.natgeofe.com/n/34ad8c2e-c03e-40cc-965c-f3ded9b0eca6/01-best-buddhist-temples-dgk07h.jpg

[Aspirin]

Armenia is not orthodox.

[Incal]

A tie. As a matter of fact that's my next goal: to live one year on each of those zones.

[black hole]

Armenia is not orthodox.




I see. My bad. In that case, I would also put Ethiopia, but I did not to do so. Armenia is still consider an Orthodox among western people.

[Aspirin]

I see. My bad. In that case, I would also put Ethiopia, but I did not to do so. Armenia is still consider an Orthodox among western people.

Nobody cares what westerners think. Where is Russia and Belarus in your list? :icon_ask:

[black hole]

Nobody cares what westerners think. Where in Russia and Belarus in your list? :icon_ask:




Southeast Europe*

[Aspirin]

Southeast Europe*

Your thread is called "Orthodox Christian countries vs Buddhist countries". Ukraine is an Eastern European country not SE European, Armenia is West Asian.

[Lobster]

Both are good and based. But I'll support Orthodox south-east Europe, because they are my white Caucasoid cousins.

[Lobster]

Armenia is not orthodox.

It is. Just not "Eastern Orthodox" but "Oriental Orthodox"

[tk'es]

southeast asia

[Odelia]

Orthodox countries, but Greece or Georgia. Not slavic countries which I think are too conservative.

[Victor]

Orthodox countries, but Greece or Georgia. Not slavic countries which I think are too conservative.

Georgia is way more conservative than Ortho Slavic countries.

[Victor]

It is. Just not "Eastern Orthodox" but "Oriental Orthodox"

No, there's no "alternative Orthodoxy". There's one Holy Church with its local branches, patriarchates, Armenia does not belong to it since 451 A.D.

[Loki]

What an odd comparison. What do Orthodox European countries have in common with Buddhist countries? Is Buddhism and Buddhist ideas so popular among Russians that they feel at "home" there?

[renaissance12]

It is not clear if buddhism is a religion or not.. sigh..

[true_southron]

Orthodox countries, but Greece or Georgia. Not slavic countries which I think are too conservative.

That's the point of Orthodox Christianity - conservatism of religion

[Loki]

Your thread is called "Orthodox Christian countries vs Buddhist countries". Ukraine is an Eastern European country not SE European, Armenia is West Asian.

Even though Armenia is technically in West Asia (on the border of Europe), it has culturally much more in common with Europe than with Asia, and could be considered culturally European. It is a member of numerous European organizations, including the Council of Europe. Armenia is far closer to Georgia and Greece culturally, than Iraq and Iran.

[Loki]

It is not clear if buddhism is a religion or not.. sigh..

Buddhism is full of demons, it's not suitable for genuine Christians.

[Hektor12]

No, there's no "alternative Orthodoxy". There's one Holy Church with its local branches, patriarchates, Armenia does not belong to it since 451 A.D.

Ive heard from somebody that armenians dont count Orthodox people even as Christian.

[Loki]

Why not pick Russian Federation -- many more opportunities there, such a massive country with huge internal diversity. Vladivostok area looks very promising for the future decades.

[Babak]

Even though Armenia is technically in West Asia (on the border of Europe), it has culturally much more in common with Europe than with Asia, and could be considered culturally European. It is a member of numerous European organizations, including the Council of Europe. Armenia is far closer to Georgia and Greece culturally, than Iraq and Iran.

Idk about that one loki lol. Anecdotal evidence isnt much to justify anything, but with all the Armenians that ive interacted in my lifetime, they all behave a lot like Iranians and Azerbaijanis.

[Mejgusu]

Even though Armenia is technically in West Asia (on the border of Europe), it has culturally much more in common with Europe than with Asia, and could be considered culturally European. It is a member of numerous European organizations, including the Council of Europe. Armenia is far closer to Georgia and Greece culturally, than Iraq and Iran.

I agree with Babak, Armenian and Turkish culture is almost identical, both are Middle Eastern. The only difference is that I have less skin than an Armenian.

[Etelfrido]

I think I'd like to try living in both, and certainly want to visit them.

In the Orthodox side there's Greece and its history, Georgia and its distinct and mysterious culture, Romania which is a Romance country and the Slavic countries which are fine too. I think the ones that attract me the most are Greece and Georgia, though.

From the Buddhist side I think I'm mainly interested in Thailand and Vietnam, but the others are cool as well.

[Loki]

Idk about that one loki lol. Anecdotal evidence isnt much to justify anything, but with all the Armenians that ive interacted in my lifetime, they all behave a lot like Iranians and Azerbaijanis.

That could be, but I'm not really talking about behaviour, but culture. Having said that, almost all Armenians I've met were diaspora who were Westernised -- not raw off the boat.

[Loki]

I agree with Babak, Armenian and Turkish culture is almost identical, both are Middle Eastern. The only difference is that I have less skin than an Armenian.

You go to church on Christmas? Celebrate Easter?

[Mejgusu]

You go to church on Christmas? Celebrate Easter?

I exaggerated a little bit, I think the only notable difference is the religion, but I don’t think Armenians are culturally close to Europeans, at most to Greeks due Byzantine, Anatolian and Ottoman history. I would get lynched by both sides, but Turks and Armenians are culturally almost identical, even their mindset. We shouldn’t forget that Armenians also had huge Persian impact if it comes to their culture. Honestly I think Europeans want to make Armenians „European“ because of sympathy, especially since Armenians were massacred during the Ottoman empire.

[Loki]

I exaggerated a little bit, I think the only notable difference is the religion, but I don’t think Armenians are culturally close to Europeans, at most to Greeks due Byzantine, Anatolian and Ottoman history. I would get lynched by both sides, but Turks and Armenians are culturally almost identical, even their mindset. We shouldn’t forget that Armenians also had huge Persian impact if it comes to their culture. Honestly I think Europeans want to make Armenians „European“ because of sympathy, especially since Armenians were massacred during the Ottoman empire.

Many Turks have Armenian ancestry, some are not even aware of it.

[Mejgusu]

Many Turks have Armenian ancestry, some are not even aware of it.

Not many, but some, especially in Eastern provinces. There are much more hidden Armenians among Kurds, I remember when Van(big city of SE-Turkey)earthquake happened, people found a lot of Christian subjects in the ruins. Some years ago there were discussions about hidden Armenians but people stopped talking about it.

[The_Strategist]

Since I already have relatives in Serbia plus speaking same language and having similar culture that's what I would chose over southeast Asia. Southeast Asia is excellent for tourist visit but it would be culture shock to live there for a european guy.

[Odelia]

That's the point of Orthodox Christianity - conservatism of religion
Um Greece and Georgia are Orthodox but they're not very conservative. Heck, Georgia is a Christian Orthodox nation that allows gay marriage.

[oszkar07]

I exaggerated a little bit, I think the only notable difference is the religion, but I don’t think Armenians are culturally close to Europeans, at most to Greeks due Byzantine, Anatolian and Ottoman history. I would get lynched by both sides, but Turks and Armenians are culturally almost identical, even their mindset. We shouldn’t forget that Armenians also had huge Persian impact if it comes to their culture. Honestly I think Europeans want to make Armenians „European“ because of sympathy, especially since Armenians were massacred during the Ottoman empire.

There is a lot of Armenian diaspora communities eg in Iran,Syria,Lebanon. hence i can see those having middle east influences.
Otherwise Im not sure that from my own experience that i would see Armenians as Middle eastern, nor do i see them as European, perhaps they are somewhere between the 2.
From those that moved to the west and or Europe they seem to adapt to the culture pretty well perhaps this is due to their Christian culture which I feel has allowed them to lean towards Europe culturally more so than for eg a Muslim of Arab background. Not to mention Armenians have had diasporas in Europe eg Italy,Poland,Romania,Hungary that go back 1000 years and this I feel has linked European culture to Armenians/Armenia. You are correct some their early influences were very Persian like. Btw apparently the closest language to Armenian which is still very distant but closer than other languages is Greek.
Altogether they are very old ethnos and very old Christian culture the first christian nation. There ethnos dates back 3000 years and they have had a lot of varied cultural influences over that time.

[Mejgusu]

There is a lot of Armenian diaspora communities eg in Iran,Syria,Lebanon. hence i can see those having middle east influences.
Otherwise Im not sure that from my own experience that i would see Armenians as Middle eastern, nor do i see them as European, perhaps they are somewhere between the 2.
From those that moved to the west and or Europe they seem to adapt to the culture pretty well perhaps this is due to their Christian culture which I feel has allowed them to lean towards Europe culturally more so than for eg a Muslim of Arab background. Not to mention Armenians have had diasporas in Europe eg Italy,Poland,Romania,Hungary that go back 1000 years and this I feel has linked European culture to Armenians/Armenia. You are correct some their early influences were very Persian like. Btw apparently the closest language to Armenian which is still very distant but closer than other languages is Greek.
Altogether they are very old ethnos and very old Christian culture the first christian nation. There ethnos dates back 3000 years and they have had a lot of varied cultural influences over that time.

The main problem is that „Middle East“ is an indeterminate term. Like you said, Levantine Arabs are culturally close to Armenians, Gulf Arabs aren’t. It is like saying someone has Asian culture, that isn’t a clear description. Another reason why many don’t like this term is because they are confusing Middle East with Arab world and the reason for it is that most Middle Eastern land is populated by Arabs. On the other hand many countries of former Soviet Union were part of European definition of Middle Eastern land before they were annexed by them. In „Middle East“, Persian, Turkish, Ottoman, Byzantine, Mesopotamian, Caucasian and Levantine(though thats Arab too) are most important cultures. And historically Middle East had a huge Christian population too(I mean it emerged there). Armenians are culturally closer to their neighbors than to Europeans, I think the main reason why they are better integrated than Muslim migrants is the religion. But there are Russians who told me(here and in real life) that Armenians are quite unpopular in Russia, I can’t say anything about this.

Yes Greek, Armenian and maybe Albanian belong to the same archaic stock of IE languages, but I am not sure how related they are. I don’t know who exactly said this, but ancient Greek sources indicated that Armenians came from Western Anatolia(therefore from Balkan route) to East Anatolia/Caucasus.

[true_southron]

Um Greece and Georgia are Orthodox but they're not very conservative. Heck, Georgia is a Christian Orthodox nation that allows gay marriage.

And you think that's good?

[oszkar07]

The main problem is that „Middle East“ is an indeterminate term. Like you said, Levantine Arabs are culturally close to Armenians, Gulf Arabs aren’t. It is like saying someone has Asian culture, that isn’t a clear description. Another reason why many don’t like this term is because they are confusing Middle East with Arab world and the reason for it is that most Middle Eastern land is populated by Arabs. On the other hand many countries of former Soviet Union were part of European definition of Middle Eastern land before they were annexed by them. In „Middle East“, Persian, Turkish, Ottoman, Byzantine, Mesopotamian, Caucasian and Levantine(though thats Arab too) are most important cultures. And historically Middle East had a huge Christian population too(I mean it emerged there). Armenians are culturally closer to their neighbors than to Europeans, I think the main reason why they are better integrated than Muslim migrants is the religion. But there are Russians who told me(here and in real life) that Armenians are quite unpopular in Russia, I can’t say anything about this.

Yes Greek, Armenian and maybe Albanian belong to the same archaic stock of IE languages, but I am not sure how related they are. I don’t know who exactly said this, but ancient Greek sources indicated that Armenians came from Western Anatolia(therefore from Balkan route) to East Anatolia/Caucasus.

Don't forget Armenia has been influenced by its asscociation with being under Soviet rule and affiliation with Russia also.

The Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic 1922–1991. Armenia has the Soviet style vodka drinking culture and making toasts with drinks same as the Russians do.

As someone perhaps a Russian member here mentioned about some corrupt Armenian mafia groups in Russia too. But lets be honest that culture of corruption- Russian Mafia-crooked oligarchs- Russian Gangs/Thiefs in Law, this existing in Russian culture too...so maybe that culture rubbed off on some of the Russian Armenians and Soviet Armenians from Armenia (like we said Armenia has lot of influences over the years).

Anyway we can also look at the long history of Armenians in Europe such as France,and many other parts of Europe where they have had diasporas for hundreds of years and have integrated into Europe as Christian population. I have read that the Armenians in Hungary were loyal to the Hungarian cause in Hungary's revolution against the Hapsburgs.

Three of the Hungarian revolutionary Martyrs of Arad were of Armenian descent , don't forget this revolution was in the 1800's so this gives an idea how old this Armenian diaspora in Europe/Hungary already had been. The Hungarian ultra nationalist who headed the Arrow Cross Szalasi was also of Armenian descent.

Point is there is much evidence of Armenian positive integration into Europe and the West despite some complaints you mention from some Russians ... that doesnt change the fact also that the Editor in Chief of one of Russias largest media outlets "Russia Today", is what nationality ???
a chechen = no, a circassian = no, a Russian Greek = no, a Georgian = no, an Azerbaijani = no, an Armenian = yes.

I could make a list of famous Armenians from Europe or the West, such as the very middle eastern ...Charles Aznavour


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWLc0J52b2I