Not the second time around, Jo. It doesn't matter. I was actually being honest. The smiley face was there to let you know that my intentions were not to insult you. But I was trying to think as I think a Catholic would think, clumsy as it may be.
What would be your reaction if I made some sort of comment about the Orthodox "being fossilized and static, incapable of addressing the issues of today", but added a smiley face at the end?
I think there is a difference between what I said and your statement, Jo. But if you said "I am trying to think like an Orthodox" while stating something we don't believe, I would have simply pointed out the error to you and probably say something like "you're not there yet, Jo. :)"
We have discussed much together and have generally sided with each other throughout. If you believe I have changed for the worse as a result of my more recent "pen-pals", I apologize
We still do agree on a lot of things, and even more so when we demystify our concepts in plain language. But we also disagree on very profound levels, even if they may seem almost trivial to someone outside the Church. There is nothing trivial or simple that managed to split the Church for one thousand years!
I am sorry you came out wounded from some other threads. Rest assured that we Orthodox (well, the majority of us) are not your adversaries. We have discussed many a topic and we have agreed on many more than disagreed. We have also been very frank and open with each other even if we vehemently disagreed. Families argue, but it doesn't mean they are not families.
Yes, that is true, which is why we should take into consideration our different approaches to God and not condemn the other because they differ on the precise definitions of God. Families should be more lenient with the other, more accepting of the diversity - knowing there is unity among the family in the end.
Regards