Posted by Herman on 9/19/2004, 2:43 pm 1) promote a common understanding of the teachings of the Church Things that I see as antithetical to these goals (if they are indeed legitimate): 1) focussing on one tradition/cultural group to the exclusion of others There are Orthodox Christians who are Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, and even Green Party. I consider them all Orthodox Christians no matter how they vote, as long as they are keeping their sights on Christ. No matter how this election goes, the good old US of A will survive. The checks and balances designed by our founding fathers (who were evidently MUCH wiser than we give credit for) may not create utopia, but will, I suspect, allow society to fumble on until such time as we can stumble into the KINGDOM. Let us not get sidetracked by the cacophany of the world, but strive to hear the small quiet voice that is God, like St. Peter walking on the water, let us not sink into the tempests of political diatribes, but keep our sights firmly on Christ, at least here in this place.
Message modified by board administrator 4/17/2006, 8:41 pm
To promote Orthodox Unity, I would think we would discuss such things as to:
2) promote awareness of pan-Orthodox efforts.
3) share insights on how Orthodox Unity might be achieved
4) share our cultural diversity to better understand each other
5) learn to appreciate differing customs formed in the common understanding of the Church, overcome cultural bigotry
2) making unfounded charges/complaints against Church authority in a forum where they are not present to defend themselves (I am particularly peeved by the "post and run" types who post once, make ridiculous charges, but evidently don't stick around to defend them, sort of like nighttime graffiti vandals).
3) dragging in politics, both secular and Church, that take up energy, create emnity, and shift the focus away from what I think we are here to discuss ORTHODOX UNITY.
Note from the editor: Thanks...We couldn't have said it better ourselves!!!
