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..
If we can't it is because we are working in the flesh.
The late Francis Schaeffer was a major influence in my life before I became Orthodox. He pointed out something that has stuck with me for decades, now. It is not possible to simultaneously demonstrate the love of God and the holiness of God apart from the work of the Holy Spirit.
Yet, that is exactly what is needed. We must not brush away differences. But, we must show the world our love for God and each other. This forum fails miserable on the second point.
But, despair is a sin. Remember Elijah. There are more than the 7000 in his day who haven't bowed the knee to Baal.
Anyway, whether we are discouraged or not, God *is* in control.
Paul (aka Newberger)