Originally posted by harmon3110:
I didn't mean to be flippant or belligerant, --John
I sure did not take it take way. I had no problem with any reply... not at all... and I was looking for cons too.
I think Pani Rose shaped what was boiling up in my head a bit better than I... and I was looking for that too.
I too was 'teasing her out'.
I am not really sure what I am suggesting - and I know that it is not something I could do alone. If it is to get done at all.
She said "A place to celebrate what we do have in union" and that really hits the nail on the head.
I think that NOT having any information regarding what progress has been made - tends to allow people to still have a mindset of decades ago.
As I remember it - both the Orthodox and RC issued a document that said the schism was erased... erased from church history... how many people know that? and - some people know about the document as act as if it doesn't exist.
One thing I would propose at any site like I suggest - is that all - show respect and trust for their particular hierarchy.
I get the definite impression that the hierarchy of all churches want union more than the rank and file do - and the rank and file are stuck in the mentality of decades ago (thinking that is still the position of their church).
So part of the problem is that rank and file members - are out of step with their own hierarchy and they really don�t know that. If we could gather that info into one place - that to me seems good.
I can code the site (HTML pages) and a host is only $10.00 a month (unless it gets donated). I can help gather info - but my personality is not that good - so I would not like to head such a think. I tend to write in the words and ways of all the tons of book I have read. I live among Plato and Philo and Psudeo-Dionysus more than I do in the 21st century.
This forum is wonderful and can�t be matched�. All kinds of churches all in varied threads all looking for ways to unite. And realistic ways also - so that honesty sometimes engenders a spat or two. But that honesty is needed .
I would like to see that - on a wider scale. Wider public. More people involved - BUT - I would not want to disturber this little island - so and influx of 1000 people to - here - is not something I would encourage. There are going to be malcontents and snipers - baiters - in the crowd of fish. And that has to be managed and weeded out with a bit of wisdom.
I would love (dreaming here) all the good people of THIS forum - to be the group that manages a wider forum. A site which includes all that information I was talking about. A site which celebrates what we do have in union - and - also - facilitates - what we have in union. Facilitates at the laity level.
The hierarchy does what it can - but as I think the outdated info available to the general public is none - (at least not easy to find). WE know that. And that causes the rank and file to be a drag - on the hierarchy.
The flip side of the coin - is such a site would be also an encouragement - to the hierarchy.
(good grief� I am talking myself into this)
Such a site would be forging unity - at the base - at the same time that the hierarchy are forging unity at the top.
It makes no difference that people here differ as to opinions (at this forum) - the over all goal of anyone here - is this re-union. And we all chat down various alleys - looking for ways. Well - that is really - what is needed. Exploration and opinions down several ways.
For example� Alex� I myself would not go the particular specific path that Alex seems to be trying - but - there are certainly valuable things in his push and direction. But again, who am I?? And perhaps Alex is headed in the right direction. Perhaps it is a combination of Alex, and alice, and, Ray, and Myles - in fact - I think that is JUST what it is. No single plan - no single direction - but an inch of progress in all directions.
It is not the content of this forum - but the spirit of this forum - that I would love to harness for the benefit of the entire church.
We don�t HAVE to agree on the details - that would be un-realistic and artificial - we agree on the overall direction - unity.
I would definitely not want to bring and infux of people - here. Nope. This is a sanctuary of peace and mediation and well considered thoughts. A board room (so to speak).
Such a site - would have to be run by just such a group from all churches. Laity and lower clergy of all kinds. With space between us and official hierarchy. That space allows each (us and hierarchy) more freedom. A freedom which is good for both.
Some hierarchy hesitate to get closer because of some public opinion that unity is heresy. As wrong as such and opinion is - there are real pockets of it and hierarchy must be insolated from such a charge. A charge like that can paralyze a prelate. But eventually = once we figure out how to accommodate even membership (not that membership is anything more than being a part of things) � membership of priests - they can come to the site and find other priest of their church - who also are for unity - and know that they are not alone� and find out what their own church had done and said toward unity.
So� NOW .. What am I proposing?? A support group for those who are marching forward to unity??
(Panti Rose - help me out here - what the heck am I saying??)
Harmon3110 wrote �we discover union� - yes - yes - a place to discover - what union there already is - and but doing that - we push the envelope of that union. Not really intentionally and by plan - but by simply existing as a place where union is fostered.
Gee - in my mind - it is not often you can bet on a horse that is bound to win. With the shrinkage of Christendom - such a union is bound to happen soon. Circle the wagons - all you who are left.
-ray
What do you mean, Pani Rose, by interesting?
