www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Let's try this again, with proper Christian focus this time

Dear Friends,

DocBrian makes an interesting point with respect to doctrine vs liturgical life.

In fact, I would agree with him.

EC parishes, at least the ones I'm familiar with, tend to be not so involved with issues of public morality etc.

Perhaps this is because such issues are seen as belonging to the mainstream and thus "ultra vires" our ethnoculturally focused EC parishes.

Or else because we have ourselves been trained by the RC influence that we have our own, limited sphere of religious activity, beyond which only the RC Church has a say in.

And when we heard about the issue of RC priestly abuse, the only thing our people said was, "They should have allowed married priests . . ."

Alex

Alex,

I think you have summarized the issue admirably. I can see why Doc got so frustrated with some of the posters here. I'm also frustrated.

Dan L

Dear Dan,

I think you have stated your case brilliantly and there is nothing further you can do beyond this.

Rather than get frustrated (which is most assuredly the desire of the evil one for you), you should go on and do what God wants you to do next!

The same for DocBrian.

Alex

I agree. The key word, however, is "true". My point was that people who are indeed motivated by a love for mankind may be presently mistaken about that love, but should ultimately be persuaded by teh truth.

He can do as He wills. Turning to Him would certainly involve a transformed understanding of true love that displaces the old. It might also involve regret and sorrow over the errors of old ways. But the good news is good news, not bad news. So at the same time it might just involve the joy of the new undestanding, maybe with a fatted calf to boot.

I will share with you a personal experience:

This has happened in most countries all around the world were these marches were held. We knew here in Mexico that it would happen. In Mexico, we were not arrested, but we were beaten while protesting. Our friends from "Noua Dreapta" in Romania had encouraged us not to give up.

The press dedicated one or two lines in newspapers to us: that we were neo-nazis, the radio people said it was good to "hunt" extreme-right militants before they become a trouble.

In reality, it was a small group of protesters, very young (more girls than men and the girls were all like 16 or 17). Some came from pro-life catholic groups but their politicaly correct bishops forbid their priests to come. Some elder people who are our friends came with us, because we had helped them to protest against the Chinese products and trade last month.

They beat elders and young girls.

But of course people who are denying their sin and are offending others with their lewdness have protected rights and those who would wish to save them from themselves and uphold decency have the right to be persecuted not only by the mobs but by the police.

Go figure.

Dan L