Replies

"Well, it appears to be more than curiosity.

I sense a liberal dose of judgment that is intermixed."

In all honesty I am just curious. The only real theological discussions I have ever had with protestants have been with Anglicans, probably because there is quite a bit of common ground there, at least with people like some of the people on these Free Republic threads. A group of Romans and Orthodox once had a very long discussion with some conservative Presbyterians here mostly about "Original Sin", Pelagianism and Araminianism which I found theologically very interesting and I think they found interesting what the Church in the East thought about this very fundamental issue. Most other protestants come at the Faith neither from a patristic point of view like the Orthodox or a scholastic one like the Romans, but rather from some variation of Sola Scriptura. Because of that deeply held and practiced way of thinking about Christianity, veneration of icons and other parts of both the dogma of the original Church and of the Holy Tradition, practices and beliefs which are virtually the sine qua nons of my existence as an Orthodox Christian, are rejected (though I am sure its not because the beliefs are Orthodox) and Christianity looked at in what appears to me to be a very individualistic way which often leads those Christians into beliefs and practices which are antithetical to what the Church as a Eucharistic community held to be correct for most of its earthly existence. Am I being judgmental? In a sense I suppose I am. To me the ancient Faith is the best way to advance in theosis both individually and communally for everyone in the world. I think it would be great if everyone adhered to it. But if people don't want to, well God respects our Free Will, who would I be to scorn your choices made by you for you? The Orthodox view on this, generally, is as a young friend of mine who is a convert from fundamental protestantism once said,"Orthodox are always happy to learn about your beliefs and tell you about theirs. If you are interested in Orthodoxy, great, they talk some more. If not, great, but stay and have another cup of cafe and a piece of baklava."

" However, I was and remain concerned that this particular church has allowed this icon into the sanctuary. It is very unusual and not a good idea.

This is the only reason I posted on this thread, but I have been defending my beliefs ever since.

What is wrong with that picture?"

As you are a Methodist, I think it is perfectly consistent for you to express astonishment at the placement of an icon in one of your churches. If I found an Orthodox Church without icons, I'd be off to the bishop or metropolitan so fast it would make your head spin. You commented that Romans worship icons. Some correction followed which is appropriate because you were misinformed. Then came the challenges to defend what we might call iconoclasm. To me, that is also fair. Faith and practice and dogma, to Romans and Orthodox are extremely important and we have reasons why we believe what we believe and do what we do. The assumption is that protestants have reasons for their beliefs and practices also. Discussing them is what we do among ourselves. The discussions we have had here have been mostly quite enlightening for both Romans and Orthodox and those discussions usually come about in the form of a challenge to defend a point of doctrine or practice. Its not an offensive thing, its just something we do to learn. This is an ancient practice in the East. One of the early Church Fathers once complained that he couldn't get his daily errands done in Constantinople because the butcher and the shoe maker were more interested in arguing fine points about the nature of Christ or the procession of the Holy Spirit than they were in doing their jobs! There really is nothing wrong with the picture at all if you understand where we are coming from. God Bless! Now, how about that cup of cafe, gliko and a piece of baklava?

Fair enough, and well said.

I wish I had the historical and religious training to argue with you over the fine points. But I just have not wished to develop that knowledge.

I probably would be pretty good at it! I have an engineers mind on most other subjects, except this one.

I have always viewed my spirituality as a private matter. I suppose I am more liken to our Deist founders in that regard.

I wish to quietly live out the balance of my life as I quietly prepare for death and beyond.

I have been a bit more vocal since experiencing Gibson's "Passion" and my faith was renewed to higher plane at that time, or perhaps just clarified as to the meaning of the sacrifice.

We shall see where that leads me and my relationship with God and religion. But I doubt I would ever have the depth of knowledge it would take to argue the fine points on this fine forum.