www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life The Christian East & West The East-West schism...

I know that you're not accusing anyone of any wrong doing, nor are you trying to attack anyone personally. But I said what I did in my post because I believe that a man is called to enact his free will and make choices throughout his life, and the choices he makes may include changing Churches.

I converted to the Catholic Church because my theological views no longer coincided with the doctrine of the Methodist Church. The same is true as it concerns my change to the Byzantine Church, because I left the Latin Rite only after it became clear to me that my theological understanding no longer conformed to the tradition of the Latin Church. Staying in a particular Church may work for some people, but it won't work for everyone.

Blessings to you,
Todd

I knew what you meant. I guess I know you too well now

-ray

Good. Because I was not. I am sure that you took the needed path for your own better understanding of God.

May your hunger for God be filled.

Forgive me for any parts I have misunderstood.

-ray

My advise is for the - now.

It seems that you are currently in the Eastern church - so my general advise (if, hypothetically, you were thinking of changing back to a Roman Catholic) would be to stay where you are right now (apparently that is the Eastern church).

Which church you attend is not an obstacle to Providence unless you yourself make it to be or believe some others who are convinced it is. That is all I mean to say.

Now I will take time to read the rest of your story.

-ray.

A wonderful story of how God progressed you.

You are probably aware that only someone who has been with the Jehovah�s Witnesses - is successfully in helping members leave and heal. It is a great psychological trauma to leave. Only another ex-Witness knows what they go through and can help them. I note God has given you some experience there. That is curious.

If you are now Byzantine Catholic - I do not wish to shock you - but you are also still a Catholic in good standing. You are free to receive the sacraments in either - by being joined to either one. The theology of both are now your inheritance. Your membership in one qualifies you for all the benefits of the other also (if I can put it that way). The Byzantine Catholic church approves of Latin theology as well as the Roman Catholic church approves of Eastern theology.

You never left the building - you just decided to sit in another room in it. You just changed the view.

God tricked you. You did stay where Providence put you. But it was Providence who did that while you stumbled around.

But - no matter. I just have to chuckle. You could have asked and the transfer would have been granted. No matter.

-ray

Well, I would not paint converts with such a broad brush. Many converts to Orthodoxy (myself included) came to the Church for positive reasons not in some "spirit of dissent".

Dear Brian,

You are right...if one coverts to a faith tradition for the correct reasons, such as embracing what it has to offer rather than running away from or rebelling against where they came from, then that is definitely a positive thing.

In Christ,
Alice

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Myles:
[QB] ...why are we arguing?

-snip-

You said, ". . . the fact that for example St Cyril of Alexandria explicitly teaches the filioque . . .", may I please have the reference for that so I may look it up and study it for myself please?

Thanks,
Adran