Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: Queen Beruthiel
It is shameful and unacceptable because Orthodoxy teaches, and everything about Orthodoxy, is love. In love, there is no room for infighting, bickering, etc. Above all, in love we blame ourselves first. In love we show mercy and forgiveness for others. Unfortunately, Orthodox politics are like politics of other churches and societies in general. There is power-grabbing, bickering, lack of mercy, pfinger-pointing, disregard for your neighbor, etc.

Just attend any Orthodox church and listen to squeeling babies and watch unruly children dominate the Divine Liturgy, and watch grandparents and parents ineffectually trying to quell the noise or catch them all over the church in the middle of the consecration of the Precious Gifts!

Of course the children are not at fault, but do their parents and grandparents care about the others in church, or do they just delight at being in the spotlight and the main showpiece during the Divine Liturgy? Do they care about their neighboors or do they expect for everyone to enjoy high pitched shrieks in suround-style of their little ones as music to their ears?

When I get upset, I still love those who disturb but I don't love what they are doing any more than Jesus surely loved the moneychangers -- but that didn't stop Him from overturning their tables.

There is a great deal of dichotomy between what is taught and what is practiced. That holds true for the laity as well as clergy and Churhc politics.

114 posted on 11/20/2005 7:22:14 PM PST by kosta50 (Eastern Orthodoxy is pure Christianity)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 96 | View Replies ]


To: kosta50

What you say is true, kosta50, all forms of lack of love in the church are shameful. I suppose I am less bothered by the argumentativeness of many Orthodox because of my experiences in the Anglican/Episcopal church. For example, a few years ago a fairly radical (women priests, etc.) faction in the church where I grew up took over and began a campaign of snubbing and social exclusion calculated to drive away the more tradition-minded members of the congregation, including my own parents. So that sort of thing does bother me even more than open bickering. But I do agree that bickering is not what the Church is meant for.


171 posted on 11/22/2005 10:10:07 PM PST by Queen Beruthiel
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 114 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson