www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Disturbed by Website

I am a little disturbed by the images on Fr. Loya's website, www.taborlife.org [taborlife.org] Should I be?

Warning, some may find them offensive.

I agree with you.

No. Understand the context.

Actually when I first went there I didn't even see the flashing header; I was looking at the contents in the body of the page.

There are one or two that I may have changed, but remember the target souls that are being approached. The young active or potentially active won't be shocked; hopefully the pics won't lead to temptation, but it will get their attention.

I once ran an ad on TV promoting the Eucharist; I didn't advertise on traditional channels; I advertised on MTV. I object to their content but that is where your reach the people that need the message.
Christ is amongst us!
Fr Deacon Paul

Doth a fountain send forth, out of the same hole, sweet and bitter water? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear grapes; or the vine, figs? So neither can the salt water yield sweet. ( James:3:11-12 )

I have to agree with the original poster and disagree with the last poster Paul B. They are disturbing. And if they are aimed at a set audience it does not matter. You can not get the message of Christ across whilst using such horrid images of nakedness that tempts youngters rather than invite them into the Church on a Holy Site/Blog.

In Christ
Wheely

Good thing you weren't around when Paul and Peter were spreading the Gospel across the Roman world. Look up "herm".

I think the images clearly convey the message intended. Here are the sins of today and here is the answer. As an advertising piece it is really pretty well done. I am an old guy and I don't find it offensive. As someone said consider the context.

I agree that, as advertising, it is really very well done. However, I also feel, like someone else said, that you can get the message of Christ across without resorting to using such images to convey your point. Maybe if the website were exclusively aimed at an audience that needs to see such images in order to get their attention captured, but it isn't. I think it's intended to have much broader appeal than that. I personally don't think it's appropriate to use such images, and find it disturbing, even though I understand the context.

I'm interested in hearing what others think, however, as we are having two very different reactions to it expressed so far.

I actually saw comments similar to Anna's reaction on another site (a blog, I think, but can't be sure) a few months ago. As I recollect, Father Tom posted at the time, explaining the rationale from his perspective. He maintains a very busy schedule but perhaps he'll stop by and comment.

Many years,

Neil

The pictures are provocative, no doubt. But look at the bigger picture. This is what young people are doing these days - how do you reconcile them to God and His Church? Hitting the Bible on their heads and promising fire & brimstone?

The truth is always painful, and we cannot hide away from it. But that does not mean we condemn them. Jesus never condemned sinners, so we shouldn't be too quick to be Pharisees.

I thought the images were rather mild, as images go. But I work with middle-schoolers every day, and nothing much shocks me any more.

What disturbs me is that there's a need for such a website. It reassures me, however, that this material is thus made available to people who, without it, might have very unhappy lives in this world; and maybe not such a good life in eternity...sometimes the truth IS painful but it also has a liberating quality as it enables relief and "authorizes" people to swim against the tide.

When and if we are no longer counter-cultural, maybe that's when we're in trouble.

Hi,

I did not find anything offensive on the home page of this site.

But then again, being part of God's creation, which God Himself deemed to be "Very Good", I do not believe there is anything inherently wrong or sinful about sex.

Shalom,
Memo

I agree with you. In this country, we have too much of a Calvinist mentality when it comes to nudity. I think that just makes it more appealing in a bad way.

After listening to many of his broadcasts, I don't believe any of his radio messages are luid. I think they are in line with the teachings of the church. True the images on the website are a little shocking to some. But it did succeed in grabbing your attention to possibly address an issue you might normally not have listened to.