www.byzcath.org Forums News & Events Church News Where are the Bishops?

Dear Steve,

Well, I've come across some mitres and croziers, but no bishops yet . . .

Alex

Steve and my fellow brothers in Christ:

Christ is Risen!

Don't get me started on usury... if I were ever elected to Congress, my first order of business would be to forgive all personal debt.

That said, I, too, think the discussion has reached its (temporary) end and am grateful for the exchange.

In your search for bishops, you may want to start in Northern NJ -- we've got lots of them: Roman Catholic, Byzantine Cahtolic, and Orthodox.

In case you do begin the search here, I'd love to sit down with all of you and have a few drinks. My budget's a little tight, but the first two rounds -- preferably of Bass Ale and Harvey Wallbangers -- are on me.

In Christ,
Theophilos

Dear Theophilos,

I'll drink to that!

We're really starting to have a gay old time now . . .

Alex

well, I'll drink to that

All civil law exists for the direct purpose of making men moral by prohibiting that which is immoral. Laws that discriminate against immoral behavioral choices do so not just to prevent the destruction of the fabric of society but also to build the fabric of society. Discriminating against immoral behavior teaches man that some things are wrong and ought not to be done.

If one follows this logic to its natural conclusion then one must also believe that it is not the job of the state to prohibit other forms of immoral sexual activity (like adult-child sex, adultery and the like) because the prohibitions against such activity flow from religious moral systems. Further, according to this logic one should also believe that it is better for the Church not to ask the state to prohibit activities like abortion, stealing, murder, and everything else our society now prohibits through law since these prohibitions flow directly from religiously based morality (specifically Judeo-Christian).

Dear Administrator,

What you say about a moral society is true - but in the interpretation that civil law has given it, we see that it is clearly at variance with the principles of Christian morality.

The courts have tended to rely on their own perception of "accepted community standards" with respect to what is moral.

Pornographic magazines have picked up on this and actively try to gain "acceptance" of new forms of pornographic perversion through subtle cartoons and other things in their publications.

What you are talking about is an ideal that is no longer the reality in our society.

And that is a pity as well as a fact.

(Have you forgiven me for my insolence yet?)

Alex

Alex:

"We're really starting to have a gay old time now..."

That is just too funny. Thank you very much, but my offer extends only to good drinks and good conversation!

In Christ, and still laughing,
Theophilos

Those of us who uphold the clear teachings of the Orthodox/Catholic faith to reject homosexual, adulterous, incestuous, and other sexual acts of fornication as sinful, wrong, and against God's holy standards for all men and women should note something very important from this enlightening exchange: Those who are arguing vigorously against the state upholding any moral laws regarding sexual activity are using this as an excuse to justify their behavior (or the behavior of others). They are not simply trying to defend a sense of American "freedom" or "privacy" but are soothing a torn conscience which, deep down inside, knows, (as St. Paul so aptly wrote in Romans) is acting against standards that are written, not just in laws, not just in the word of God, but in the stirrings of the human heart that God fashioned in His image, and created to grow in His likeness.

I must say I've heard rather vapid arguments in this exchange in support of homosexual behavior, including the tired "that's my interpretation of scripture" and "God created me or others that way." Since both arguments are clearly wrong, let's be clear that there is no wiggle room in the interpretation of Romans, or later Apostolic writings, and that it was not God, but the power of sin, that instills these tempations, even if they stem from genetic, familial and/or psychological factors. And again, setting up a homosexual Orthodox jurisdiction will not make things right in anyone's mind. It will only temporarily sooth the conscience of homosexuals which has been seared by sin.

The homosexual movement in America, gaining such power in the 1980's and 90's is coming to the realization that American society at large is rejecting such activity as damaging to not only the society, but families and health. We can see how it has strained the Roman Catholic priesthood. Let us stand up and reject any form of sexual perversion, and with compassion offer those who are caught in this tangled web of sinful behavior the truth, faith, hope, and true love of a Christian community, and the message that God is more powerful than any temptation, and that His forgiveness is a vast ocean of mercy.

To all those on this board who are struggling with homosexual behavior, thoughts, and feelings, know that God loves you, and cares about your life, and wants all of us to "sin no more." Commend your entire life to Christ, and allow the regeneration of your baptism to become truly alive in your life. Flee from sin. Pray that God would make your life what He wants it to be, and that through the grace of the life-giving sacraments of confession and communion, that you would, little by little, grow in the likeness of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the true goal of every Christian.

We are here for you. We do not reject you, but call everyone to repentance, because the Kingdom of God is in our midst.

If there is anything that I can help anyone with privately, I am here for you.

Priest Thomas Soroka
St. Nicholas Orthodox Church [stnicholas-oca.org]
McKees Rocks, PA