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I have been watching this discussion this afternoon with mixed emotions. On the one hand, nobody is insulting anyone. On the other hand, the idea of a truce comes across rather vaguely.

As one who is neither Protestant of Roman Catholic, some of you have at times considered me somewhat neutral on issues being fought over. I'm not neutral. I really believe that hte Orthodox Church is Christ's true church. There, I said the hard stuff. Having said that, I don't claim to love the Lord more or to be closer to Him that the rest of you.

Now, I think that Antoninus is basically *right* about the danger that we are in. Remember, Europe opposes George W Bush not primarily because of his politics but because he claims, as a Christian, that certain things are right and certain things are wrong. He is opposed primarily because he is a man of *faith*. Although the country is largely behind him and trends are pro-life right now, there is a lot of animosity towards us out there. It just isn't ripe, yet.

In the 20th century, Orthodox (and other) Christians in the old USSR died for their faith by the tens of thousahds. The Russian Church still hasn't recovered. I know a man in my parish who was imprisoned several times by the government in Ukraine. I don't think persecution in imminent but we need to have our eyes open.

But, Antoninus, the idea of a "truce" is too vague. Look, I am embarassed by the fighting and insults I read in this forum but Steve, Big Mack, Terry, and others are *right* when they insist that we cannot move ahead by pretending that our differences don't matter. It isn't possible to "get the Word out" together when we disagree about what the Word *says*!!!

I think there is an answer, though. It is found in the "New Commandment" to love one another. The early church was marked by the fact that pagans said, "behold how they love one another". Love doesn't pretend that differences don't matter. Love finds ways to *understand* others and their ideas. I am content to have the Holy Spirit work in your lives as *He* wants to. I don't need to twist your arms and bring a soap box to this forum. I can, though explain how Orthodoxy differs on this or that point and let you all react to it.

Well, that leaves us with the question of how to get from waring camps to a demonstration of God's love when we disagree. I think the prime ingredient of that change is found in praying for each other. It's a powerful force. When Terry (rnMomOf7) shared a request for her grandson's urgent need for healing a dew weeks ago, I had the privilege of praying and asking my parish to join in. Terry and I have *very* different theologies but we love the same Lord and can discuss things (I believe) because of that.

What do you all think of this? Does it make sense to you?

How might we flesh this out???

Paul (aka Newberger)

Terry and I have *very* different theologies but we love the same Lord and can discuss things (I believe) because of that.

I think this is the kernal right here. The important thing is people who worship God are trying to be on His side. The secular humanists, homosexual promoters, abortionists, the moral relativists - are fighting against Him. Personally, even though many of you here probably hold many beliefs that are not precisely the same as mine in all details, I consider you brothers and sisters because you acknowledge the existence and importance of the Supreme Person, God - and therefore I offer my respect to you.

If we consider our similarities more, we will have more strength to fight the terrible evil that is trying to devour the whole world.

But, Antoninus, the idea of a "truce" is too vague. Look, I am embarassed by the fighting and insults I read in this forum but Steve, Big Mack, Terry, and others are *right* when they insist that we cannot move ahead by pretending that our differences don't matter. It isn't possible to "get the Word out" together when we disagree about what the Word *says*!!!

You are right. We are members of the professing church . We all together are the visible church, as such we share alot of common interests. But we can not sacrifice the discussion of those differences in the name of a false truce.

I think when it serves the interest of the professing church we need to stand as one.

If there was a decision that interfered with the Catholic schools right to teach the doctrine of the church I would protest with you all because we all benefit from the religious religious freedom. Some things cross denominational differences .

But I do not think that we should try to brush our differences under the rug . They are big and men have died over them.

So the question is are we grown ups? Can we have serious doctrinal discussion and still work for common interests?

I am somewhat hopeless about affecting a culture change back to the 50's. I feel like the dutch boy with hiis finger in the dike..all we can do is hold back the flood a bit. But we need to do it without doctrinal compromise..