Evolving Visions of the Orthodox Priesthood in America: A Study Report

[Dunecat]

http://www.orthodoxinstitute.org/fil...repwebpost.pdf


Summary: http://www.orthodoxinstitute.org/fil...udrepexsum.pdf

Almost three quarters (72%) of “conservative” priests deny the usefulness of the inter-Christian contacts by agreeing with the statement that “The only reason for the Orthodox clergy to participate in inter-Christian meetings and discussions is to spread the message of Orthodox Christianity and to seek conversion of others into Orthodox faith,” but only one quarter (26%) of the “liberal” and “moderate” clergy would take such a stance.

[Dayman]

Sounds progressive.

[Zenith Darksea]

It's absolutely the right position to take though. You've got to remember that religion is not about compromise. Even so, compromises never happen in these inter-religious gatherings anyway. All that happens is that people sit about, sing 'Kumbayah' and pretend that they're the same. Well, believe it or not, they're not the same.

It would be unfair for Orthodox clergy to lead other Christian groups into thinking that we believe our traditions to be of equal value, because we don't. It's that straightforward. By pretending that we're all the same we are not only deluding ourselves but actually preventing any meaningful exchange of ideas from taking place. We should be very glad to maintain friendly relations, but unless other Christians are entering talks with the intention to learn more about Orthodoxy then there is no point in talks at all.

People are just going to have to learn to deal with the fact that Orthodoxy is the 2,000 year-old Christian Church established by the Apostles, and there is nothing to be gained from theological liberalism and watering-down.

[hellas1]

Hi all,

The fact is, is that Jesus the Christ died for EVERYONE'S sins, not only the Orthodox, but the Catholic, the Atheist, the Buddhist, the Animist, the Jain, the Shintoist, the Protestant, the "Non-Denominational" Christian and so forth.

To make statements like that makes the stator/proclaimer of Christ's death seem snobbish.

The Christ's death is not, hence Christian dialogue and Christian-Other dialogue should be more and more open and willing.

BTW, this is NOT to infer that I believe in a "watering down of" or compromise of Christ Jesus, via inter-Christian/interfaith dialogues or Theological liberalism, far from it.

hellas1

[Dayman]

It's absolutely the right position to take though. You've got to remember that religion is not about compromise.

One of the reasons why it's becoming incompatible with modern humanity. We need to leave that behind and start to progress, and not let things like this hold us back.

People are just going to have to learn to deal with the fact that Orthodoxy is the 2,000 year-old Christian Church established by the Apostles, and there is nothing to be gained from theological liberalism and watering-down.

What do we have to gain from such arrogance?

[Zenith Darksea]

One of the reasons why it's becoming incompatible with modern humanity. We need to leave that behind and start to progress, and not let things like this hold us back.

No, it's just a reason why it is incompatible with atheism. If something is true then there's no point in pretending that it isn't just because you feel uncomfortable with it.

What do we have to gain from such arrogance?

Arrogance has nothing to do with it. It's simple historical fact, as many unbiased historians would agree.

The fact is, is that Jesus the Christ died for EVERYONE'S sins, not only the Orthodox, but the Catholic, the Atheist, the Buddhist, the Animist, the Jain, the Shintoist, the Protestant, the "Non-Denominational" Christian and so forth.

Exactly. That's why we are all of us called to be Orthodox Christians (and I mean that in the strictest sense of the word 'orthodox', not just as the name of a particular group), no matter who we are.

[Dayman]

No, it's just a reason why it is incompatible with atheism. If something is true then there's no point in pretending that it isn't just because you feel uncomfortable with it.

It has nothing to do with my atheism. At all. Religion does not make me uncomfortable. I dislike dogma. It's a hindrance to society. Humanity cannot flourish if constrained.

Arrogance has nothing to do with it. It's simple historical fact, as many unbiased historians would agree.

Yes, but I doubt many people give a **** anymore.

[Zenith Darksea]

Yes, but I doubt many people give a **** anymore.

Except Christians, you mean? Well gosh, I'd never have known.

[Dayman]

Except Christians, you mean? Well gosh, I'd never have known.

How many people do you think care that the Orthodox Church is "he 2,000 year-old Christian Church established by the Apostles", outside the denomination?

Interesting news about my Orthodox brethren. One thing we (all Christians collectively) must do is to spread the good news for it is too late. Every nation in the world must hear about Jesus Christ, and the sacrifice he made.

Yeah, I think everyone knows about it at this point.

[The Good]

Interesting news about my Orthodox brethren. One thing we (all Christians collectively) must do is to spread the good news for it is too late. Every nation in the world must hear about Jesus Christ, and the sacrifice he made.

[Zenith Darksea]

How many people do you think care that the Orthodox Church is "he 2,000 year-old Christian Church established by the Apostles", outside the denomination?

Well, according to the statistics of conversions, quite a lot of people, apparently. Over half the Orthodox priests being trained in America today are converts, and Orthodoxy has been and is the fastest and most consistently (which is more important) growing Christian Church in America.

The word 'denomination', incidentally, does not come into the matter at all.

[Dayman]

Well, according to the statistics of conversions, quite a lot of people, apparently. Over half the Orthodox priests being trained in America today are converts, and Orthodoxy has been and is the fastest and most consistently (which is more important) growing Christian Church in America.

The word 'denomination', incidentally, does not come into the matter at all.

You answered wrong. Most people couldn't care less how you trace your religion's roots.

[paokmam]

The Orthodox simply state that there is no point in these discussions cause neither will change their faith. The Orthodox church bears a history of 2000 years of dogma and has managed to keep safe fron heresies and islam. So these dialogues can't let them loose what they have under much pain guarded

[Zenith Darksea]

You answered wrong. Most people couldn't care less how you trace your religion's roots.

Boeing, we're discussing Christian attitudes to ecumenism here. I think that people who are concerned with ecumenism - the immediate subject of this thread - probably are concerned actually. And if you're referring to people who aren't concerned with ecumenism, then you are needlessly derailing the thread just to pursue petty and needless point-scoring.

[Dayman]

Boeing, we're discussing Christian attitudes to ecumenism here. I think that people who are concerned with ecumenism - the immediate subject of this thread - probably are concerned actually. And if you're referring to people who aren't concerned with ecumenism, then you are needlessly derailing the thread just to pursue petty and needless point-scoring.

I'm just following up on a point, that's all.

[Dunecat]

Oh boy my threads have been very juicy lately...

...That quote was just one statistic. There is a hundred more.