The Orthodox Church in America...roots in the Russian Orthodox Church
Posted on 07/20/2015 9:39:31 AM PDT by NRx
...While we reaffirm today, as we have always done, the unchanging reality of repentance as a path open to all, without qualification, and abhor those who would react to any sin, or any sinner, other than in love and with the promise of new life that true repentance may bring, we nonetheless shall not succumb to the prevalent social trend of our day, which equates recognition and acceptance of sin with love. For the legalisation of sin is precisely what this judicial act accomplishes, whatever may otherwise be its aims or intentions. Marriage has been from creation, is now and will always be a union of a man and a woman, and the Church shall recognize and bless nothing else in the stead of this sacred union that has been established by God Himself.
(Excerpt) Read more at russianorthodoxchurch.ws ...
Next question: Do they have any charitable organizations that receive aid from the government?
I’m not going to swear to it, but to the best of my knowledge no. The church in Russia (Moscow Patriarchate), I am pretty sure does. But a lot of American churches get money from the government for charitable work. And almost all claim a tax exemption, so I am not sure what the point is.
RE: But a lot of American churches get money from the government for charitable work. And almost all claim a tax exemption, so I am not sure what the point is.
The point is if you receive money from an entity that LEGALIZES gay marriage (e.g. US government), you are eventually on the hook for either repudiating that money or obeying their diktat on marriage if (God forbids) such a clash occurs, and that includes (if you pay for spousal benefits for your employees ), paying for spousal benefits for any possible married gay employees who might come out.
What if say, you are operating an orphanage looking for parents to adopt the children under your care, are you going to be required to allow gay couples to adopt the kid if you are receiving government money?
Better think about this because if Catholic organizations are being forced to do this, the Orthodox organizations are not immune from it.
That is a very good point. Even tax exempt status is a potential club that can be wielded by the state against any church that doesn’t bow to it’s secular agenda. That said as far as I am aware the ROCOR doesn’t take any money from the government beyond tax exemption. The Russian Church in Russia does. But however flawed the Russian government is, they are solidly on the right side of the great moral and social issues of our age.
On a side note, I am not worried about the Russian Orthodox Church caving to pressure from our government on this issue. This is a church that has just emerged from the most brutal persecution in the history of Christendom with tens of millions of its clergy and lay people murdered for their faith. The loss of tax benefits or confiscation of property is a pretty trivial threat to these people.
Without a doubt you are right. I can remember being told to pray for the conversion of Russia from its Godlessness. Today it is the Russians praying for our conversion. For which I thank them.
The Orthodox Church in America...roots in the Russian Orthodox Church
No, they do not. Any other questions?
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