mikehall12382-
Actually I grew up modern orthodox. I’m not sure what vibes you were getting. But most of the parents of my friends went to afternoon Talmud Torah or maybe the fathers went to Yeshiva for elementary school. Many daven without moving lips, eat without a bracha, on a regular weekday don’t bentch, etc., etc. They are really tinokos she’nisbeoo – not aware of Halacha and when made aware of it, don’t find it so binding. This is true for the older generation.
For the next generation, “why don’t their educators educate them? ” They did. The next generation is much more educated and keeps Halacha much better. The teachers are now teaching the next generation and are battling the computer/internet/ipod issues but are still educating them.
My point was to be tolerant and not judge others and realize eveyone IS COMING FROM A DIFFERENT PLACE.
If someone else follows his Daas Torah and is constantly trying to improve, I don’t need to try to convince to follow my way, (even though I don’t think his is the ideal.) And if he doesn’t follow any Dass Torah and doesn’t keep Halacha and mitzvos so well, it’s only because he grew up in a partial spiritual desert.
What’s the point of trying to convince the YU guy to become “Chareidi”? Let’s all just work on improving our mitzvah observance. That’s a goal we all share. If he then sees that in my lifestyle things to be admired, I’ll certainly be happy to welcome him.