(Before hand, I realize that what I am saying here might/will hurt some of you Roman Catholics... But I am hurt myself and I CAN'T STAND IT ANYMORE! So GO AHEAD and "let me have it," that's ok. My main concern here - after givin an explanation why I feel the way I feel, is, hopefully, to find another church.)
Let me ask you a question to ALL YOU YOU, especially Yudan. If you were a "Roman Catholic" at heart (Raised RC since birth) but you were so disgusted with your church, due to the recent scandals, which would be the CLOSEST to the Roman Catholic Church?
Let me say one more thing... for me a church is more than a "set of teachings and rules." It's a CULTURE. I was born and sorrounded by the RCC until I finshed H.S... Eveything in my life (girlfriends, school, sports, sex), everything was connected and affected by my church)
I must say that I still love the church (the way I thought it was). I loved their traditions through the centuries, the rituals, the heavily ornamented buildings, the saints, the statues, the celibate priests, nuns, the candles, the incense, the processions, even its toughness on many aspects...like when I was a teenager. In those days I was thought sin was black and white... no middle ground.... and I believed it… And it affected my life!... I really thought it was an HONEST, tought, corageous church.
When I heard of the children abuses, homosexual priests and everything else, I thought naively: "Oh no problem... As soon as Rome hears about this... They will come and CLEAN UP and get rid off all the ones who did this...
SURPRISE... SURPRISE.... Even with a new Pope - whom I like (it could have been worst)... I still don't see the kind of action a church of this size and power should be doing to protect our family-values at this critical time.
If I could have my wish, I would keep the SAME church with all its rituals and teachings WITHOUT THE CORRUPTION. More than anything I would change all its power structure (from the Pope down). I would have a Pope with the power to clean up things like a dictator, for the good of the church.
Every time I say something about the Pope, I hear a million excuses that he could not do this or that, that he did not have the power for this or the other words, NO ONE takes responsibility for what happened. And even as of today!... Even though the Pope admitted to the failings of the CC in his last trip to the U.S. – which sounded good – I still DON’T SEE THE ACTIONS of a church that cares to defend us from the present war on culture and values. We have HUGE enemy with Media, Teachers, Hollywood, TV, university establisments,etc etc.. fighting us
Instead, I see a church – a powerful church – THAT SITS BY… AND DOES NOTHING of substance. I am sure there are exceptions, but that is not what I mean… Why is not the Pope himself speaking against all the evil that is about to overtake us here in America and probably the world.
I’ve had it!.. I lost all TRUST and respect for the RCC and from what I’ve seen in the last ten years, this church will keep playing the same games, acting more like politicians… and I seriously doubt they will ever change in my lifetime.
So I am considering to move on, I would like to find a new church it that is possible at all, so I ask for your advice. How about “Eastern Greek Orthodox Church?” They seem to be closest to the Roman Catholic Church?
Some Orthodox parishes are very ethnic; not all are Greek or even "Eastern." Many Antiochian Orthodox (traditionally Arabic) parishes are actually composed of almost all converts from Protestant or Roman Catholic backgrounds.
The Orthodox Church is not perfect. Far from it. It is, however, the true Church.
First and foremost, Martin is a better source of info and wisdom than I.
Martin is a full Orthodox convert, I am merely what is referred to as a Catechumen - the difference is like the difference between being married and being engaged.
I was not, and never have been an adherent of the Church of Rome. I was a Protestant.
Speaking personally, I immediately felt three things in my first Liturgy and Sunday Coffee Hour (fellowship and food after liturgy, as fully observant Orthodox usually will fast from Midnight Saturday until after receiving Communion):
1. The palpable presence of the Holy Spirit;
2. The people were there to WORSHIP, and they love The Lord; and
3. The people love each other truly and were genuinely happy we were there.
Again, speaking personally, I was drawn to Orthodoxy because for 2000 years the Church has said, “Here’s the truth. It isn’t about you, it’s about God. It’s FOR you, not ABOUT you. You can take it or you can leave it. We’re delivering a message and we’re not going to shape it to suit you. Feel free to drink all you want of this fountain of truth, it never stops flowing. But understand - it doesn’t change. The flavor is always the same.”
I love Orthodoxy. It has re-ignited my faith.