www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall New Book Slams EWTN

I guess it shouldn't come as a surprise that EWTN should come under fire. But writing a book to prove that it is "modernist"? Oh come on!

New book slams EWTN [renewamerica.us]

There are certainly reasons to criticize EWTN [deficiencies regarding the social teachings of the Church, for example] but the rantings of so-called "traditionalists", appearing in the wacked-out Catholic Family News are quite another thing....
-Daniel

Hi Iiconophile, could you be a little more specific about your comment regarding EWTN Catholic social teachings? I do watch it sporadically when I have time but I am curious as to what specifically is wrong with their commentary on that subject.

byzantina- I don't have TV so I don't have a lot of experience watching EWTN, but from what I know the deficiency is that of American Catholics in general: an uncritical attitude toward American military ventures, even when these have been condemned as unjust by the Holy See, an uncritical attitude toward neoconservative support of free market economics, and in general a tendency to conform to the Republican Party platform rather than Catholic social doctrine.
Years ago I watched as Mother Angelica interviewed the late Bishop Hannon, ex Military Vicar as he justified nuking Hiroshima and called the Japanese "the Japs". She made no effort to correct either his defense of a war crime or his racist language...
This is not to say that everyone who appears on EWTN shares these shortcomings; I know Scott Hahn and Fr Benedict Groeschel personally, for example, and this could not be said of either of them [though they rarely comment on such things].
-Daniel
ps- I had lunch once in Luther Michigan, once years ago, and it was a lovely little town. I helped some kids fly their kite, flirted with a waitress in a diner [I was single then], and generally had an idyllic visit.
Is it still a pretty farm town, or has it been ruined, like the little town I grew up in?

Daniel, For not watching EWTN very much you've accurately described it--as least as far as I'm concerned. I enjoy several of the programs, but I must agree about their promotion of the Republican and Bush social/political agenda. This almost seemed to descend to idolatry during the last national election. Vito

It shows such narrowmindedness of conservatives as well as liberals.

Geez. EWTN is a very good network. Of course, it's a great alternative for the many many dysfunctional cable networks that are out there today.

I'm very offended by the rantings against Orthodox Church because of Papal "Supremacy" issue. I am a Catholic, and I do NOT accept the Pope's FULL and DIRECT authority over OTHER Churches which he is NOT a Patriarch of.

But calling EWTN a modernist flakes? Come on! EWTN is as orthodox as it can be in spite of their flaws and imperfections.

I'm a producer for a local TV station and I KNOW it's very difficult to produce many programs to keep the viewers more interested (NOT bored after so many re-runs after re-runs) and it's very hard to keep track of it's contents.

We are ALL human and that means we are bound to make mistakes. So no programming is perfect. If certain comments about the teaches isn't accurate, then it's due to human error. We are not perfect. I know people won't go to hell for that either since G-d knows that we are not perfect.

But I would be more concerned with Fr. Levis and Truillio because it seems that they're not reading the questions very CAREFULLY. Looks like they read it in a rush and gave answers that I would scream my head off for! YIKES! But it doesn't mean that they are intentionally giving out the wrong facts or teachings of the Church. They are humans. But the other moderators on EWTN's Q & A forum are pretty good.

I want to add something else about EWTN....

I notice that they have very strong "Roman Egos" or Bigotry over Eastern Churches and/or Orthodox Church. That is a reflection of the mainstream Roman Catholic mentality that RC is the best of all and better than other Catholic Churches. And to have it manifested on TV (EWTN) is very serious issue for me because TV is a very powerful electronic mass medium. And to have it shown on TV will just simply keep maintaining the "Superior RC mentality" alive and going. We should, instead, show them that it is WRONG and that we should follow the late JPII's loving example toward Eastern Churches.

That's all I have to say for now.

SPDundas
Deaf Byzantine

It is well known that hard line Trads and the USCCB have a few bones to pick with EWTN...placing those aside I would rather trust what EWTN broadcasts and posts on their site than what my Archdiocese(Los Angeles)produces regarding many matters...you will see and hear more from the newest orthodox RC Bishops and priests there then anywhere else and I seriously doubt that you will see and hear them here as guests in LA...and without EWTN as a viable outlet what is the alternative available to equal or replace it ?

my 2cents worth
james

a quick note; although the Eastern practice and perspective has less exposure I sure do appreciate what they do now and will send requests to them for expanding and increasing it...

I'm not defending the language, but please remember, to be fair, that for people who lived through World War II, the attack on Pearl Harbor was just as shocking to them as our generation's 9/11 - and they reacted to the Japanese in much the same way that we, today, react to Muslim Arabs, for much the same reasons.

And the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were seen as unfortunate but necessary in order to end the war, by the majority of Americans at that time, and by the majority of Catholics as well.

It's very easy to look back at a previous generation and criticize what seems to us to be obvious errors, mistakes, sins - but what's done is done and maybe if we'd been in their shoes we'd have made exactly the same decisions. And maybe not, but let's not be too judgmental towards those who actually lived through it.

"It's very easy to look back at a previous generation and criticize what seems to us to be obvious errors, mistakes, sins - but what's done is done and maybe if we'd been in their shoes we'd have made exactly the same decisions. And maybe not, but let's not be too judgmental towards those who actually lived through it. "

Very good. My father served in WWII, the "Greatest Generation". I served during, but not in Viet Nam. Yes, its easy for someone not born during that time to comdemn anything that happened during that war.

What is a "just war"? No one condemns the US for its envolvement in the Cuban-american war. It was the yellow journalism of the Hearst Newspapers and their anti-Catholic attitude that got us into that war.

But I digress. EWTN is good for all Catholics. Look where Mother Angelica is located at: in the South. I hope she is giving good witness to her non-Catholic neighbors. As far as they're having a superior attitude, haven't they had some Eastern Catholic shows on lately? I'll be some people watching never heard of the other Churches before. I think its good that they are on tv.

Listen folks,

I challenge each and everyone of you to find something better on the TV. In an age where everything vile and immoral is easily available on your cable or dish subscriptions, EWTN is a mainstay of programming that has the intent of good will and actively promotes Christos Logos.

Sure, we may disagree with some of their views, or as SPDundas put it, Roman Egos.

Yet, they do their best to promote the message and the Light of Christ that dwells in all of our souls.

Nothing in this world is perfect. Everyone has flaws. Everyone sins. But come on folks, what else is better out there on the tv?

Man, the attcks against people, and in this case good standing organiziations, I see on this Forum really disenchant me from posting here and associating with such un Christian and vile behavior.

-uc

Mike,
I too have noticed that Mother Angelica is located in the South, the region of the USofA where I have spent the majority of my life. as far as a good witness, presumably to nonCatholic Southerners, rest assured a great witness has been proffered to non Catholics here centuries before Mother Angelica, bless her heart, was born. in Memphis, Catholic Religious Sisters came to the rescue of the people in that city during a particuarly nasty Yellow Fever epidemic in the 1800s. the Sisters helped one and all, regardless of where and how they worshipped if at all. I don't know if it's still true, but to this day, in Memphis, when a Catholic Sister boards a bus, the driver will place his/her hand on the fare box, giving the Sister a free ride, and to let one and all know how grateful the people of Memphis will be to the help they were given. are there anti Catholic sentiments here? oh, yes. there have been recent letters to the editor in the Chattanooga paper bemoaning the fact that Bush may wind up filling the Supreme Court with Catholics and that will take away our liberties . dollars to donuts,Mike, the writers are probably "Yankees" (no offense meant to many fine Northern folks here) who belong to some pseudo Christian cult back North, and are now trying to show their butts here in Dixie with their nonsense. relations between Catholics and non Catholics here are more or less cordial, despite the culties and an occasional bawl from a nearby Klan Klavern who add Catholics to the mix as to who is responsible for their being such a bunch of no count losers.
Much Love,
Jonn

I love EWTN. It's the most edifying network in America (if it isn't I'd like to know what is ?) and a place I can be assured of hearing real Catholic doctrine. Something often found lacking in many Catholic churches.

Using the same rationale I suppose we shouldn't condemn any historic atrocity or even genocide. People never [or rarely] do evil for the pure joy of it; it is most often motivated by fear of the Other. Germans were afraid of the Jews. Turks were afraid of the Armenians. Even women who abort are afraid of the baby.
Of course one can try and understand the perpertator as well as the victim; these things do not arise in a vacuum. But the moral law is the moral law and we have an obligation as Christians and Americans to tell the truth.
-Daniel

I think, overall, EWTN does a great job.

Of course, we'd all like to broadcast a little more about the Eastern Catholic Churches and perhaps, when the Bishop of Birmingham is cleared out, they can even televise the Traditional Latin Mass!

I do sometimes think some of the commentators bring their Calvinist/Protestant backgrounds with them in their presentation of Catholicism, and occasionally some of the programmes come off a little, what's the word...Evangelical?...but there are numerous shows, like Father Benedict, Mother Angelica, the Mass, Does the Church Still Teach That, the Journey Home, which I think are wonderful!

And the network is only 20 years old! They've done a lot in 20 years.

Logos Teen

A lot of you have seen me say I am only two miles away from EWTN. Like any monastery it has it quirks - but fildelity to the majesterium of the Roman Catholic Church, on their part, is not a quirk. It is a fact! Mother will never shy away and neither will the Network. If you want to understand Mother Angelica and why the network is the way it is, I suggest you read Raymond Auroa's autobiography of Mother Angelica.

This place has fought long and hard to restore tradtitional Catholic values and teachings to a hurting world. IT speaks out loudly and clearly against a perverse generation of immodesty and hatred towards God. They ask nothing of anyone that they themsleves do not practice. And when you are there, you are not beseiged for support of this show or that. EWTN is given to us in faith and trust in God. Nothing they do comes out of our pockets unless we make offerings to God through them for the ministry of the word that goes forth all over the WORLD! So you know what, if you don't like it don't watch it. But, then, on the other hand, if it is upsetting you that bad, what is God asking of you that you are not willing to do? Can you walk a mile in their shoes?

They are a sebastian for Catholics and Protestants. I too wish they gave more time to the East, and I do believe they aret increasing the time spent. It is interesting that Protestants come by the bus loads to the new monastery, and they come very often to EWTN - they can't get over the peace that is present, they keep returning. To prove it's effect locally we have Catholic Priests who were once Protestant ministers here in town because of the minitstry of EWTN locally. Yes, here in Birmingham as well as Hanceville she has a huge impact on the community.

The biggest thing of all is it is a sebastian of love to a hurting world that asks for nothing in return, only encourages and teaches people to build their faith in God, and guides them to the safety and security of the Seat of Peter.

I also find very interesting the number of our kids friends - older teens and young adults - who at night will leave their tv's on EWTN while they are sleeping, Catholic and Protestant alike. Geesss, I think they must be doing something right!

Pani Rose

THE ONLY REASON that I am a practicing Catholic at all, and by extension the reason my wife converted and the fact that we have 4 children and more on the way is because of EWTN. No one is allowed to trash Mother Angelica or EWTN cable or radio. I wouldn't be practicing, I wouldn't know anything, and there would be 10-13 less Catholics in Perryville, Missouri if not for EWTN.

The Archdiocese of St. Louis owes a great debt to EWTN as well. We have 2 Catholic Radio stations in the St. Louis area that carry EWTN programming and local programs that feature Seminary Professors.

That Ferrarra guy is a quasi-SSPXer who has to gripe about something to make a living. :rolleyes:

Maybe EWTN is light on the social Gospel, but that's because there is enough emphasis on that already. People know that part, that gets preached at each warm and fuzzy sermon in every suburb in North America. Our Catholic people don't even believe in Our Lord's presence in the Holy Eucharist!!! Only 30% believe! Yes we need the social Gospel and there is plenty of witness to that from groups as the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal; the Missionaries of Charity; the Missionaries of the Poor; and the Family of Jesus, Healer; and many others who work among the poor. These groups are mentioned alot or actually appear, such as Fr. Benedict Groeschel.

Dr Eric-
I am not talking about the "Social Gospel", but about Catholic Social Teaching, which has been called the Church's greatest secret; far from being overly familiar it plays practically no role in the political decisions of Catholics.
I am glad EWTN has had such a good effect in your life in the lives of so many Americans. I am not saying that it is a total failure, merely that it shares in American Catholicism's besetting shortcoming, the replacement of our great social tradition with a secular "conservative" substitute.
-Daniel

When I had cable I enjoyed the Coming Home Network a lot. I used to rush home to watch it!

I do believe that it is time for a second Catholic Cable television network though. There needs to be a balance. With +60 million Roman Catholics I am sure there can be a market for it.

+T+
Michael

I wonder if, because of her recent ailments, control isn't being "wrested" from Mother Angelica, who's always led EWTN down the straight-and-narrow. I surely hope her successor will do the same.

I vote for Fr. Angelus Shaughnessy or Fr. Benedict!

Benediction & Devotions is one of my favorite programmes on the channel. I do wish they could televise the Mass from the Blessed Sacrament Chapel instead of that small little church, but as I understand it the priest faces ad orientam in the Chapel and the local bishop won't allow that Mass to be televised. That altar is awfully close to the wall! Nice! Just push it back a couple more feet!

As many have said before, the Sisters' singing is truly angelic. They sell CDs, right?

Anyway, Mother is so likeable with all her idiosyncrasies! When I'm watching EWTN at home on occasion my 17 year old sister will walk in and say, "Oh my gosh I looove Mother Angelica! She's so cute!"

As an aside, I do agree with Daniel that some of the neo-conversative Catholics in this country focus exclusively on issues like abortion, gay-marriage, etc, but sometimes, I fear, to the exclusion of other social aspects of Catholic Teaching. Abortion, to my mind, is the single-most threat to Catholicism in America, but not far behind that are a lack of care for the poor, disenfranchised, and the need for peace instead of war...

Sounds more like the GOP platform than Catholic Teaching to me. Oh, if we could merge the best qualities of both Parties and create one solid Catholic voting bloc! I won't hold my breath.

Logos Teen

Daniel, you are so right!

I am glad you pointed this out.

+T+
Michael

I don't think so, I'll bet it's all her.

+T+
Michael

Hey,

Just last weekend I noticed that they purchased
an Eastern Christian three-chain (sans the jingle bells "kadillo" that the priest and deacons used for their Eucharistic Adoration and Supplication! Maybe that was a gift from Fr. Michael Sopoligia from the Light of the East set!

Ungcsertezs

No control is not being 'wrestled' from her. Many years ago, the board was set up and is actually owned not by the sisters anymore. The reason being, is the bishops were fighting with her over the network. The fight intesified the first time JPII came to America - they wanted one thing and she wanted another. In other words they wanted to use Bishops that were very liberal leaning in their theology and she told them no. Also, they had their own television network, which was apparently a disaster - falling very much inline with just what EWTN preaches against. The only way to protect EWTN, to keep the bishops from taking it out of her hands, was to form a separte corporation. So, Deacon Bill has been the CEO - following her desires completely since then.

God sent Deacon Bill to Mother. He was practicing Law in Tenn. and was at a meeting or was drawn to a meeting in, I blieve Chicago(don't hold me to that city), he walked into the Church and sat there attentivley listening. When he heard, 'from now till you die' - something very close to that. And he said at the same time Mother Angelica looked straight at him. Upon getting home, the words kept coming to him. I don't remember how long it took, but he finally gave up and drove to Birmingham. Knocking on the door of the convent, Mother Angelica came to the door, opening it she said to him,'well what took you so long?' So from that point he has been the attorney and has worked with her through what was only possible for God to do.

If you are in the studio by the offices, you will see a picture of the first satelitte dish. No one saw what was in the picture when it was taken, but when it was printed - well out of the center there is fire shooting to the heavens. God is in control, His Word is going forth to all the nations.

Everything is set tight, nothing is being changed from the charter.

Pani Rose

Let's not forget that just because EWTN will sometimes feature an interview with a politician who just happens to be a practicing Catholic, who just happens to be strongly anti-abortion, and who just happens to be a member of the Republican party, that this doesn't amount to a blanket endorsement of the Republican party.

I am a Catholic thanks to EWTN radio, for which I am extremely grateful. (Convert from Protestant).

The local Catholic radio station (that ran EWTN programming) got me through difficult times at a secular university where many were Catholic- in-name-only or adhered to the unorthodox ideas/practices taught by the "Catholic" ministry on campus.

Reading on the Internet (which led to books) gave me a more traditional perspective on the Catholic faith, that EWTN sometimes lacks. I cannot fault them however -- they led me to be able to receive Jesus in the Eucharist, the greatest thing in the world.

You are so right, He is the Greatest!

I will pray for your vocation!

I'm glad you're a Catholic.

Brother Daniel,

I'm not clear on the difference between the Social Gospel and Catholic Social teaching. Do I have them confused?

I was under the impression that the Social Gospel was the 7 Corporal Works of Mercy as they were called in my old gray St. Joseph Catechism book. (Which I say is still the best catechism for kids and adults around, hands down!)

God Bless You and Your Family,
Dr. Eric

Dear Vito you said:

"Daniel, For not watching EWTN very much you've accurately described it--as least as far as I'm concerned. I enjoy several of the programs, but I must agree about their promotion of the Republican and Bush social/political agenda. This almost seemed to descend to idolatry during the last national election."

I say:

Maybe EWTN's, and every other pious religious leader's support for the Republican party was due to the damage that our 'Democratically' appointed 'liberal' judges inflicted on our society.

Abortion is only one case in point. Another would be the tendency of some judges towards homosexual marriages, imposing light sentences on criminal behavior, and the license of pornography which we have exported throughout the world.

A perfect example of what I'm saying lest you forget, was the venomous nastiness inflicted on Judge Alito by the liberal Democrats when he was appointed to the Supreme Court by Pres. Bush. I don't think any Republican would act in that fashion.

Zenovia

Dear Daniel you said:

"Using the same rationale I suppose we shouldn't condemn any historic atrocity or even genocide. People never [or rarely] do evil for the pure joy of it; it is most often motivated by fear of the Other. Germans were afraid of the Jews. Turks were afraid of the Armenians. Even women who abort are afraid of the baby."

I say:

Yes, most attrocities were committed by fear. For instance, the Germans were frightened of their culturally 'inferior' Slavic neighbors. The one's that surrounded the 'Fatherland'. But we were not frightened of the Japanese. If we were, we would not have placed an embargo on them, knowing that we might end up in a war. If we bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki, it was because we didn't want 60,000 of our men killed...which certainly would have happened if we landed on the mainland.

As I have said before on this forum, my grandson was in both cities two years ago, and there was a small run down museum in Nagasaki run by the Korean government. It showed the attrocities in pictures that the Japanese committed on them. It stunned the Japanese students. Then were never told.

Zenovia

Daniel, thanks for your input on EWTN. I can appreciate your views on so many blindly suppporting military ventures and economic policies that are not in keeping with Catholic social teaching, I guess we just have to accept there is no one political party that is going to represent all of Catholic teaching and it would be nice if the only real Catholic network on the air did not spend so much time promoting the Bush political agenda but I have to say all in all they are doing a good job and nothing is perfect. When you compare them to most of the other junk on TV I think they are pretty good. You might not be missing so much not owning a TV. More Eastern Catholic programming would be good but at least they try to have some.
You say you have been to Luther many years ago, I have lived here for almost 20 years now and haven`t seen much change.

I must obtain and read a copy of Ferrara's book on EWTN - though I certainly don't regard EWTN as a hotbed of modernism!

Incognitus

You just described my perfect candidate! :p

"Social Gospel" usually is used to refer to liberal Protestant social action, generally 19th and early 20th century. By no means all bad, it did degenerate into a tendency, common among liberals, to substitute social reform for the Gospel itself...

-Daniel

Dear Zenovia.

You say: Maybe EWTN's, and every other pious religious leader's support for the Republican party was due to the damage that our 'Democratically' appointed 'liberal' judges inflicted on our society.

Abortion is only one case in point. Another would be the tendency of some judges towards homosexual marriages, imposing light sentences on criminal behavior, and the license of pornography which we have exported throughout the world.

A perfect example of what I'm saying lest you forget, was the venomous nastiness inflicted on Judge Alito by the liberal Democrats when he was appointed to the Supreme Court by Pres. Bush. I don't think any Republican would act in that fashion.

I say: I know some pious religious leaders who are Democrats. Many of the judges you decry were appointed by Republicans; such as those who refused to interfere in the Terri Schiavo case. Without getting into a tedious political squabble, let me just say that conservative judges practice judicial activism when it suits their agenda. As far as Republicans not acting as venemously as Democrats---give me a break! Scooter Libby outing CIA operative for political vendetta? Tom DeLay? Jailbird Duke Cunningham makes Democrat lawbreakers seem like pale imitations. I better stop. I can go on and on about deficit spending, our trade deficit, our unrestrained military spending now including more money for Iran operations, cuts in Medicare and Medicaid, security of our seaports, etc. etc. Let's not create idols of political leaders and parties but let's apply our inheritance as Catholic/Orthodox Christians to our secular lives.
Vito

Hello,

I don't give a rat's butt to what anybody says about EWTN supporting Republicans...it's just not so true.

I've seen several Democrat Congressmen and other Democrats interiewed on EWTN in the past...

Republicans...Democrats...who gives a hoot about it.

The bottom line is...is EWTN pro-Life...pro-morals OR NOT? EWTN has NOTHING to do with either one of the AMERICAN Political Parties...it has to do with the CHURCH's teachings.

SPDundas
Deaf Byzantine

SPD opines: "EWTN has NOTHING to do with either one of the AMERICAN Political Parties...it has to do with the CHURCH's teachings."

Yeah, right.

Incognitus

Dear Friends,

Why can't I be an EC respondent on EWTN?

I'm Eastern Catholic with a tinge of being Latinized - EWTN should like me!

And I would always refer tough questions to the Administrator, Incognitus, djs - while reserving the right to call in Alice to bring some Christian charity to bear on it all when the need arises.

Alex

Dear Alex,

I think that you would make an absolutely excellent co-moderator of the Eastern churches for EWTN's website. I totally bow in respect to you for the wonderful articles I have read on the Ukrainian website you write (wrote?) for.

Re: EWTN; You and Anthony Dragani could share the duties...when one is too busy, the other one could take over and then inquirers would not get perturbed at the length of time they often have to wait to get an answer.

I am quite serious about this. Why don't you propose it to him, so that he can put forth the request to the decision makers.

With love in Christ,
Alice

Hello,

Of course...I posted a thread somewhere...about EWTN Q & A Forum...heh...and somehow it's also discussed here...heh.

But anyway...

I also think that Fr. Thomas Loya would be excellent co-moderator! He's got the passion, zeal and few extra minutes to get involved.

SPDundas
Deaf Byzantine

Dear Vito,

Not to be personal, but it seems you have been watching too much CNN and reading too much of the New York Times. Turn to FOX NEWS once in a while to get a more balanced view.

Zenovia

I never watch CNN, I think Fox does about the best job of all of them as far as balance goes.

Dear Zenovia,

I get my news from a variety of sources--including electronic and print media. I make an effort to understand various sides of issues and then form an opinion. Not to be personal--I hope you do too.

Vito

I read the New York Times (yes, you can get it in Chattanooga) as I like a literate newspaper, and not the sixth grade level pablum I find here. however, I do not fall prostrate to the editorial page whenever the orchestra plays (from the Book of Daniel, where the idol set up by Nebed whatever his face is). think it's important to have an interest in all viewpoints, something I have prided myself in doing since I was twelve. however, most people take the convenient way out. they read (or watch) what ever is there. they either agree with it, or else, hold forth their disagreement as a knee jerk reaction.
let's not accuse people of reading too much of this and too little of that. what's important is that people have an open mind,read, watch, and listen, and then think independently, and then stand by their ideas.
Much Love,
Jonn

Dear Alice,

I was joking . . .

And I am still active with "Ukrainian Orthodoxy" but tend to write responses to individual questions that are e-mailed in.

Some months ago, I was attacked by an Orthodox priest (a relative of mine by marriage, would you believe, and a former Greek-Catholic priest who became Orthodox - sorry, "more Orthodox than the Orthodox" ).

He basically told me that I must either become Orthodox or else leave that site.

Failing that, the name of the site would then have to be changed to take out the word "Orthodoxy."

The attack was so vicious and personal that it shocked me into dormancy, even though I continue to write responses to articles I've written there - and even though my articles have provoked, as I've been told, a number of Protestants into considering Orthodoxy (several Lutheran pastors, for example, who are now Orthodox/Eastern Catholic).

Whenever I feel inspired to write something for that site now, I get scared and put it off until the idea is forgotten. I guess it's psychological or whatever. I've tried to resign from there completely, but they keep directing the questions to me and so I continue in my diminished role.

Even though I have NEVER lied about my being Ukrainian Catholic and have had my "Catholic akathists" including my akathist to Pope John Paul II on that site, I understand I have been attacked on some other sites for "pretending to be Orthodox" on that site. Even when I wrote about the Immaculate Conception at the invitation of an administrator of another forum, I was attacked as having "tendentious views" due to my Catholic pespectives etc.

I guess it's all par for the course. And it is interesting that the negativity comes from converts.

This is just to put some perspective on why I view some converts the way I do . . .

I've no problems with "cradles" - I find they're nice and calm - which probably comes from the gentle spiritual rocking they've experienced all their lives . . .

Alex

Alex,

don't take this stuff too personally.

I assume you are being ironic here, if not (as someone else says on this thread) "yeah right"