ABSTRACT Transnational Religion in Greek American Political Advocacy
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ABSTRACT Transnational Religion in Greek American Political Advocacy Eric V. Morrow, Ph.D. Mentor: Daniel P. Payne, Ph.D. Contemporary studies of transnationalism are challenging scholarship on the political advocacy of ethnic groups by examining a broader range of connections that shape immigrant identity and engagement with the political systems of host countries. One of these connections is the role religion has in forming new ethnoreligious identities and how this role is influenced by transnational relationships with countries of origin and external religious institutions. In many analyses of “ethnic poltics,” religion is either excluded or viewed as a cultural element closely aligned with ethnic identity. This has obscured the significant influence of religious affiliation and religious institutions in the political advocacy of immigrant groups. This dissertation examines the role of religion in Greek American advocacy and analyzes the transnational elements that have shaped Greek American identity and contributed to the engagement with the United States government on specific foreign policy issues. From a basis in theories of diaspora nationalism and transnationlism and within the larger context of Greek American advocacy, focus is placed on the development of the role of the Greek Orthodox Church in America in defining a unique ethnoreligious identity and in direct engagement with U.S. policymakers on the issues of the invasion and partition of Cyprus, the Macedonian Question, and the legal status and religious freedom of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul, Turkey. Following a survey of the role of the Church and its leadership in advocacy on these issues, this dissertation analyzes the elements of transnational religion in the Greek American experience in order to develop a methodology for approaching other groups in the United States. With the increase of immigrant religious affiliation and institutions in America and the diversity of engagement in both domestic and foreign policy issues, the analysis of transnational religious connections is critical to understanding identity formation and ethnoreligious lobbying, as well as gauging the impact of this advocacy on the U.S. political system. Transnational Religion in Greek American Political Advocacy by Eric V. Morrow, B.A., M.A., M.Div. A Dissertation Approved by the Institute of Church-State Studies ___________________________________ Robin L. Driskell, Ph.D., Interim Director Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Baylor University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Approved by the Dissertation Committee ___________________________________ Daniel P. Payne, Ph.D., Chairperson ___________________________________ Charles A. McDaniel, Ph.D. ___________________________________ Jerold L. Waltman, Ph.D. ___________________________________ William A. Mitchell, Ph.D. ___________________________________ Perry L. Glanzer, Ph.D. Accepted by the Graduate School May 2012 ___________________________________ J. Larry Lyon, Ph.D., Dean Page bearing signatures is kept on file in the Graduate School. Copyright © 2012 by Eric V. Morrow All rights reserved TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS vi Chapter 1. DIASPORA NATIONALISM, TRANSNATIONALISM, AND ETHNORELIGIOUS POLITICAL ADVOCACY: AN EVALUATION OF RECENT SCHOLARSHIP AND THE CONTEXT FOR AN ANALYSIS OF GREEK AMERICAN POLITICAL ADVOCACY 1 Diaspora Nationalism, Transnationalism, and Religion Religion and Political Advocacy in the United States Ethnic Interests and United States Foreign Policy 2. THE DEVELOPMENT OF GREEK AMERICAN POLITICAL ADVOCACY 50 Greek Immigrant Organizations in the Early Twentieth Century Establishment of Greek American Institutions A Greek American Lobby The Truman Doctrine and Greek American Advocacy 3. THE GREEK JUNTA AND THE CYPRUS CRISIS 95 The Beginnings of the Crisis The Junta in Greece – 1967-1974 The Cyprus Crisis 4. THE MACEDONIAN QUESTION 132 Claiming Macedonian Identity and History Greek American Advocacy on the Macedonian Question The Greek Orthodox Church in America and the Macedonian Question 5. THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE 156 Advocacy of the Greek Orthodox Church in America The Order of Saint Andrew Greek American Advocacy for the Ecumenical Patriarchate Concluding Remarks iv 6. THE ELEMENTS OF TRANSNATIONAL RELIGION IN GREEK AMERICAN POLITICAL ADVOCACY 188 Greek American Advocacy and Diaspora Nationalism, Transnationalism, and Transnational Religion Transnational Religion and Ethnicity Transnational Religion and Assimilation Transnational Religion in the Interaction of Faith and Politics 7. TRANSNATIONAL RELIGION IN AMERICAN POLITICS 220 Transnational Religion and Ethnic Identity Ethnic Politics or Ethnoreligious Advocacy Challenges of Transnational Religion BIBLIOGRAPHY 239 v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS My academic journey in higher education began twenty-five years ago at Howard Payne University. My parents encouraged me to go to college, and so I chose to join a high school friend who was heading a few hours west to attend this small Baptist school in Brownwood. I began my undergraduate studies with no idea of what I was doing. However, I was soon drawn to religion and ministry. Due to my upbringing in the church and an early inclination to spiritual matters, I followed a course of study, intellectual engagement and spiritual development that has led me to many places and offered great blessings. This would not have been possible without early mentors who introduced me to the rigor of academic work in a manner that was both challenging and nurturing. Dr. Art Allen was both an adept teacher of the Bible and a true friend in Christ who has supported me all of these years. In addition to imparting interpretive and pastoral skills, he helped me to understand the importance of humility in the scholarly process, teaching me never to be to proud to say “I don’t know.” Dr. Wallace Roark taught me how to think about how I think, something that has served me well for many years. Dr. Frankie Rainey instilled in me a deep love for the Greek language and an appreciation for the skills needed to engage the text of the New Testament in a manner that analyzes the text and also leads to spiritual illumination. My academic success at the undergraduate level was due to these and other professors who recognized potential and encouraged me to pursue it. I did so in the graduate studies program at Baylor University, where Drs. Glenn Hilburn, James Breckenridge, William Pitts, Jonathan Lindsey, and John Jonsson enhanced my research vi and writing skills, challenged me with new ideas and perspectives, and helped me to be a better thinker and person. My time at Baylor was also assisted by the staff of The Texas Collection, where I worked for several years as a graduate and library assistant. Kent Keith, Ellen Brown, Kathy Hinton, Michael Toon, and Dorothy Copeland were not only a great group of friends and colleagues, but they were also supportive of my graduate work and my family. At the conclusion of my studies for an M.A. degree, I was encouraged by Drs. Derek Davis and James Wood to consider the Church-State program. As I began this course of studies, I was also being drawn to attend seminary following my joining of the Greek Orthodox Church and my experiences in the local congregation at Saint Nicholas in Waco. With the guidance of Fr. Ted Tsitsilianos and the encouragement and support of the parish members, my family and I traveled to Brookline, Massachusetts to attend Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. This time was very formative for me in so many ways, as I made further commitments in the service of the church and had a deeper intellectual and spiritual engagement with worship and theology. At Holy Cross, I was blessed by the leadership and guidance of Rev. Dr. George Dragas and Father Gerasimos Makris, and by my friendship with Rev. Dr. Joachim Cotsonis. My work at Holy Cross took me from seminary to the national center of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, where I served as an assistant to the archbishop and director of communications. During my time in New York, I was able to engage with so many aspects of the life and work of the Greek Orthodox Church, and I was blessed to work with many who have had shaped my life in significant ways. His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios has been a spiritual, theological and intellectual mentor over the vii last decade, offering to me his great wisdom as a pastor, friend, and example. Through my work for him I have nurtured a deep love for the life of prayer and contemplation, tools that are essential to life and the proper use of the mind. My work for the church has also been enhanced by my relationships with Bishop Savas Zembillas (now Metropolitan of Pittsburgh), Marissa Costidis, and Paul Zamora. When I returned to Texas in 2004, I was able to studies at the J.M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies. Dr. Davis helped me to return to the program, and I progressed through the courses with tremendous assistance from Dr. Christopher Marsh and Dr. Charles McDaniel. Their insight and critique of my work have helped me to be better equipped for scholarly pursuits. I also have to express my deep thanks to the staff of the Institute. Over the years of my studies, I have been the beneficiary of the dedication of Wanda Gilbert, Suzanne Sellers, and Janice Losak who showed their skills, professionalism, and concern for the students in the program. In addition, I also want to thank Dr. William Mitchell and Rev. Dr. Daniel Payne who have facilitated my completion. Their encouragement and assistance in bringing this project to fruition has been filled with respect and leadership as a reflection of their commitment to Baylor, their adherence to high academic standards, and their concern for their students. In concluding these acknowledgments, I return to my parents and family. Over the course of my academic journey I know they have wondered at times what I was doing. The ongoing question was, “What will you do when you graduate?” The answer is that I will continue to think, and write, and teach; but I will also be filled with gratitude for the support they have given me.