www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Closing Threads

Patience is certainly being tested. I am closing these threads that are dealing with homosexuality to give the forum (and myself) a rest.

In the past 14 days, the Town Hall forum has seen no less than 8+ threads dealing with the "homosexual agenda".

Though not an official institution of the Catholic or Orthodox Churches, the Byzantine Forum exists for the exchange of ideas. In so doing, I would hope we are faithful to Holy Tradition in all its expressions. Of course, that would include Church teaching on sin, including sin of all sexual activity outside of sacramental marriage, i.e., fornication or adultery.

Having said that, I am not opposed to any poster providing information on how to minister to any sinner. Posting to shock or to point out someone's immorality, does not bring anyone to repentance and conversion. If we paid attention to the Holy Father, we are very aware that we live in a culture opposed to the Church. For those of us in the US, we are all too aware of the sin that rocked particular Churches. We know however, the gates of hell will not prevail over the Church of Christ.

Finally, let us please remember, we are in a fasting season. We would do well to remember the prayer of Saint Ephrem:

O Lord and Master of my life,
take from me the spirit of sloth, despondency,
lust of power, and idle chatter;

Instead, grant me the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love.

Yes, O Lord and King,
grant me the grace to be aware of my sins,
and not to judge my brother or sister;
for You are blessed forever and ever.

Amen.

Dear Father Deacon,
God grant you many years! Now let's start a thread about pastry. More edifying, and more nourishing.

Incognitus

Incognitus,

I pray that you NOT do that. I pray that your motives aren't simply to taunt those who are troubled by public lewdness and the in your face sins of various groups. But it does seem to be your motivation.

Let's let that subject rest as well, ok?

Dan L

Having no desire to deal further with the twirps, the twits, the tedious, or the tarts, I would still very much like to deal with a torte. Surely someone has approximated a similar recipe somewhere. I know you can buy Imperial Torte from Vienna, but making it myself would have to cost less.

Now, now. Tarts are also quite delicious (I refer to the kind that one prepares in the kitchen or purchases from the pastry shop!).

My intention in shifting the discussion was simply to express the notion that on the other matter - which Saint Paul teaches us should not even be mentioned among Christians - everything had been said and rehashing the same arguments over and again is in exercise in futility. I was not attempting to taunt anybody, just to indicate that it was really more than time to drop the other subject.

Incognitus

I would hope in the interests of particularity that cheesecake of various flavors as well as marzipan can get some notice around here as well.

Thank you for the reminder "which St. Paul teaches us should not even be mentioned among Christians". That is the most concise and pertinent statement yet to be posted on this unmentionable subject.

Perhaps baked Alaska could also somehow factor into the discussion...

Whatever has Baked Alaska got to do with Imperial Torte , Chocolate in all it's forms , cheesecake and Marzipan ?

Anhelyna - puzzled and needing enlightenment

Dear Diak,
Thanks for your post - I adore cheesecake (while consuming it, of course). Can anybody get some good recipes? Juniors in New York sells the best cheesecake I've found yet, so that's the sort of recipes I'm seeking.

Dear Anhelyna,
Now, now. We live in a pluralistic society, where Baked Alaska is surely welcome - one must of course use homemade ice cream for the purpose, however.

Incognitus

I often have cheesecake with hot fudge on top. Ah, sweet decadence, I love you.

Well I haven't made Ice cream for years - hmm - will have to have another go once I'm back from France.

I can see that the weight that I lost while toothless is going to go back on :p hmm - wonder if it could be done with a Choccie centre

Anhelyna

I don't know if it's all the talk about pastries or all the talk about buggery, but I think I'm going to be sick...
-Daniel

Well, as I told the lovely lady Anhelyna in a PM, I support the teachings of the Church regarding sex. I have not caused any sexual perversions to exist, and I am unable to fix the problem. Sin will be with us until the end of time, and Christ is the only solution both now, and then. So I might as well talk about pastries, since I do enjoy them immensely.

Dear Daniel,
Since I'm an iconophile - indeed, an iconodule - myself, please allow me to offer my sympathy. I've seen some perverted pseudo-icons that cause me to be sick (one in particular has unfortunately attained much popularity in recent years, even from people who ought to know better).
As to pastry, I discovered an El Cheapo brand of profiteroles in the local supermarket a few years ago. I tried them twice, and got sick both times. "Fool me once, shame on thee - but fool me twice, shame on ME!".
Discriminating taste is to be encouraged, both in iconography and edibles.

By the way: I discovered on another threat elsewhere on the forum the comment that the particular thread in question was gaining more postings than the Imperial Torte thread. I'd had no idea that a competition was in progress!

Incognitus

I agree there is too much talk on our Christian boards about the aforementioned topic.

Now pastries ----

Does sweet potato pie count as a pastry? My wife made one yesterday, my first in years. Now THAT is worthy of discussion .

Arghhhh......guys-- I am on a diet!

Trust me, in an ideal world, I would eat almost nothing BUT chocolate, cakes, pies and pastries all day long...(actually I sometimes do in the short, cold, dark and depressing month of January--hehehehe :rolleyes: )

Alice, who ADORES pastries, but not their calories