"CURRENTLY TRYING TO GET THIS PULLED FROM THAT THREAD. I just went direct to your post without reading the heading and then posted a reply. Sorry. I didn't realize it was a caucus thread."
Doesn't bother me! :)
Your observations are what I expected. I am glad you read it though as I think its important that we understand each other as much as possible always recognizing that in the end we may disagree profoundly. +Gregory Palamas' comments on why we use icons is a short classic exposition of the theology of Orthodoxy on that subject. Christian Iconography such as we would recognize it, can be traced to the 3rd century, so its very old in the Church. The arguments you and others advance against them are among the same used in the 8th and 9th centuries by the Iconoclasts, those of +Gregory Palamas a condensed version of those of the Iconodules who, as you know, ultimately triumphed at the 7th Ecumenical Council.
Bottom line, as I said before, this is one of the devotions of The Church which simply isn't for those who are outside.
this is one of the devotions of The Church which simply isn't for those who are outside.
= = =
Thanks for your kind reply . . . however, from my perspective, the above is not a kind part.
I and those of my perspective are no more outside THE CHURCH UNIVERSAL, than you are.
The Orthodox Church will, IMHO, undoubtedly grow quite a bit with the Anglican split coming.
How will they become true "Orthodox" without villages?
I'm only half joking, hope you know what I mean.
I invite any Orthodox or RC believers to do an experiment for 90 days.
Ask God The Father to show you HIS TRUTH in the matter. Then, since you have already been doing the one; for 90 days, do the other. Pray strictly and exclusively to The Father or The Son without any aids, images, statues, icons--for 90 days.
And compare the results. Or switch back for 90 days and then compare the results.