Dear 2Lungs,
I am a little dizzy from reading your last post, and somewhat disappointed by the tone. There are so many ideas and topics that might be fruitfully discussed (and have been treated at length here on this forum), that I do not know where to begin. Clearly, so many of these questions need to be more carefully nuanced, and words have to be defined and used carefully. So often I find, that a word that is perfectly acceptable to a person trained and comfortable in Western theology, is non-sensical to someone trained and comfortable in Eastern theology. (and the reverse). But to dismiss whole complex arguments and issues, with a single phrase, used without clarity of language or defining your terms, seems to invite the charge that you are not treating the Orthodox position seriously.
I am delighted that our Holy Father does not take your tone with the Orthodox Churches. He speaks of their Churches, theology and tradition with the greatest respect and veneration. I think all Catholics must take his lead, as an important guide for our way of speaking. You seem more judgemental and critical than he is. I cannot help but wonder why you feel the need to be so harsh on the Orthodox. If you are a good Roman Catholic, then must you not look to him as teacher of the faith and leader in these questions? My experience of the Orthodox must be quite different than yours.
Elias
