Reader Input from
The Armenian Identity Poll
(Updated Periodically)
Below are some of the responses to the following question:
"What setting do you
think is THE most important
for maintaining the Armenian Identity?"
The family is the nuclear locus from which a child radiates to the outside
world. If family influence is weak the child is easily absorbed into the
foreign world where the current is stronger.
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The
most emphasis is always placed on the family. Relatives that show up that
you don't remember at everything you go to, are an example of the importance of
family.
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Our identity as Christians is a priority. The church is a place for spiritual
growth and to connect with other Armenians.
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A family can either nurture nor ignore their heritage and may choose to attend
church or not. It is incumbent upon the family to set the example and to teach
children from a very early age about their heritage-Christian, historical and
cultural.
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If I understand the question correctly I feel Armenian Identity is most easily
nourished in Armenia. All other settings at best attempt to limit losses
of Armenian Identity in the Diaspora, specifically the U.S. which I'm familiar
with.
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I witnessed a great deal of injustice in the Armenian Church and community,
especially at a time when I was suffering with family issues. Consequently, I
totally lost my identity as an Armenian Christian and woman. It has been 10
years now since then, and I still remain outside the Armenian community and am
no longer a believer in the Christian faith.
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I believe that Cultural organizations are the most useful because it reinforces,
promotes and validates in group belonging.
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