GRPL Travelogue: The Aegean {Open}

Vanity | 28 May 2008 | Gamecock

[Gamecock]

[Campion]

Having traveled to numerous developing areas it never ceases to amaze me how pagan symbols are incorporated into everyday indigenous Roman Catholic practice.

"Indigenous Roman Catholic practice"???? You're citing a trinket stand, no doubt run by a Turkish muslim, selling Greek Orthodox icons with some sort of Turkish charm on them as emblematic of "indigenous Roman Catholic practice"???

There are fewer than 30,000 Catholics in all of Turkey. The Turkish population is 71 million. You do the math. What kind of "indigenous Roman Catholic practice" do you think there is in Turkey?

Would you care to cite that authoritative Roman Catholic declaration that this house is authentic?

[Campion]

Interestingly, just next to the Mary House there is a sign providing the visitor verses from the Koran than mention Mary. No such passages from the Bible are presented.

You're in a Muslim country, one that just barely tolerates any practice of Christianity at all. Did you miss that?

The house at Ephesus is not a shrine owned or run by the Catholic Church. Did you miss that, too?

[Gamecock]

You're citing a trinket stand, no doubt run by a Turkish muslim, selling Greek Orthodox icons with some sort of Turkish charm on them as emblematic of "indigenous Roman Catholic practice"???

The site is run by the the Catholic Church. Also, see the Priests and Nuns hanging around out front? What are they? Chopped liver?

[Campion]

I'll stand corrected, and retract the comment about it not being a Catholic shrine.

You are nevertheless in a Muslim country with a long tradition of repressing Christian belief and practice. Our Greek Orthodox friends can tell you all about that.

Nor does the selection of junk offered by a trinket salesman reflect any sort of "indigenous Roman Catholic practice," which doesn't exist in Turkey.

[marshmallow]

Dude, a tour through the sites of the early Christian communities is awesome and the pictures are beautiful. Traveling in the footsteps of St. Paul and the early evangelists is a wonderful experience and they become very much alive, IMHO.

But did you really have to spoil it with the obligatory dig at us "pagan" Catholics? Come on, give it rest for a day. You're on vacation.

[Manfred the Wonder Dawg]

Thanks for the post! I visited Ephesus in 1982 - not caring much for the things of God at that time. There was a man on the stage, reciting Shakespeare, and he could be heard at every “seat” in the house. I studied Architecture in college and such things interest me to this day.

Your report of the pagan influence in that Catholic joint is one of a thousand examples of what happens when a church tries to influence the culture by befriending it, rather than be satisfied with proclaiming the Gospel and trusting God.

[Gamecock]

any sort of "indigenous Roman Catholic practice," which doesn't exist in Turkey.

a. The trinket sales are inside the boundaries of the site.

b. In post 3 you claim there are Catholics in Turkey. Now you claim there are no Catholics. If there are 30,000 Catholics, isn't it safe to assume they are practicing?

c. Western Catholics were there by the busload. Should they have been appealed by the practice? Are you appalled that this activity is happening inside the boundaries of a Catholic shrine?

[Gamecock]

Actually, the vacation is over. I didn’t touch a computer while traveling.

[marshmallow]

Your report of the pagan influence in that Catholic joint is one of a thousand examples of what happens when a church tries to influence the culture by befriending it, rather than be satisfied with proclaiming the Gospel and trusting God.

Firstly, it's not a "joint". Thanks.

It's an ancient stone house believed to be the former home of the Mother of Jesus. No need to believe that but there's also no need to be deliberately offensive if you don't.

Of all the interesting aspects and details about the Marian house at Ephesus, you choose to zero in on a Turkish souvenir salesman outside.

I'm beginning to think that you guys can't help yourselves.

[marshmallow]

See post # 11.

A shame to drag what could have been a beautiful thread down the toilet over a friggin' souvenir salesman.

[Between the Lines]

...it never ceases to amaze me how pagan symbols are incorporated into everyday indigenous Roman Catholic practice.

Are you trying to incite a riot?

[Gamecock]

I get it.

Nothing the Catholics do or condone that is even remotely quirky should be brought out in public.

[Manfred the Wonder Dawg]

“joint” is not pejorative term. It’s a generic descriptive and if the use of it offends you, that’s your choice.

“We” - meaning us Reformed Christians - indeed cannot help ourselves. God’s Spirit within us testifies of Truth and warns of errors. Ergo, we identify false doctrine as a “little leaven” and warn others to not accept such as Truth.

[Dahlseide]

Good question

[Gamecock]

Three recent Popes have thought it important enough to visit..

[Gamecock]

As you wish....

[Marysecretary]

I always loved ancient history and archaelogy in high school. One of my dreams was to go to Egypt on a dig. I will never do that or probably never visit these places, but enjoy seeing these lovely photos of those who can.

[Alex Murphy]

Nothing the Catholics do or condone that is even remotely quirky should be brought out in public.

Correct. If you are caught doing so, you will be accused of being an "anti-Catholic bigot" by the inquisidores who still fight against the Reformation.