www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Handling Disputes on the Forum

Are you talking about me in particular?

If so you are wrong, because I have never said that the Orthodox are heretics.

I have said that the Orthodox lex orandi proclaims many truths that certain modern Orthodox deny--e.g. the Assumption, and that Peter is the rock. But not all Orthodox deny these things. There are Orthodox posters on here who have stated my exact position--and it was not deemed offensive when they did so.

Schismatics? I submit to the judgment of my Church in that regard. Does JP2's ecumenism overturn all previous statements of the Church? I wonder. Think about it.

In Christ,

LatinTrad

Incognitus,
Ooops. You're right: I should have said "surname". Thanks for the correction.

Administrator,
I can't help but be moved by your discussion with DavidB. One of the reasons I like this forum is because it is a specific cyberspace for Eastern Christians to speak without getting run over by Romans (who I believe usually do so thoughtlessly and not with malice aforethough--DISCLAIMER). However, David returns repeatedly to the point that those who are "Catholic" have a special bond as well. I do not envy you the balancing job you must undertake to keep the forum true to its founding.

To RC's on the list: For my $.02 (and I'm not in charge of anything) I am glad you are here and I invite each to explore the richness of the East. I have been blessed to have been nourished in some Western parishes (I originally became a Christian as an RC). I have found much to criticize in Western parishes. I even make the occasional Latin Mass and reflecting on it all, it has been to the good. I would only say that, maybe because of geography and demographics, the Roman brethren have not had the same immersion in Traditions outside their own. See what a blessing this forum can be! If you happen to run across a feisty EC or Orthodox, I would ask only this, remember in your riches of numbers, power, and facilities, perhaps you can afford to be patient.

Brothers,
Let's think about this. My original intent in beginning this thread was to explore the problem of de facto apostates, still remaining in some church or other, who invoke charity and tolerance as a means to stiffle reaction against their offensive doctrines.

I think, given the trend in our culture, it is a little late to worry about heretics and schismatics, at least on this side of the Protestant divide. For myself, I ask that we not worry so much about those topics but rather the original one of apostasy camped within the Church. Our Holy Father has made it clear, that he wishes to lead the Church and her ecumenical efforts in a new spirit. Let's follow that, and if we are rebuffed or slammed, in what a great cause will we have suffered.

LT, I am glad to "hear" your voice this morning. I don't know if I ever thanked you for your prayer intervention during my family problems last month. I hope married life suits you well (BTW, thanks to you I went right out and got a CO detector). I'm sure that the joy of being a newlywed must be radiating from you and be visible in all your relationships each day.

Verbal caution - an "apostate" is one who has forsaken the Lord Jesus Christ completely - as would be the case of a Christian who becomes a Jew, a Muslim, a Buddhist, an animist, an atheist or something else of a definitely non-Christian variety. Applying this term term to someone who goes from one Christian fold to another is inaccurate (which is not to say that we should condone such behavior). Incognitus

The term "apostate" was used regarding the ECUSA because of its departure from Apostolic Christianity, not -insofar as I have seen - in regard to any individual.
As I was the one [under my former and apparently confusing screen name of "daniel n" ] who had words with Reverend Mike and who has been accused of all sorts of things here on the forum I would like to clarify something: I have never once posted anything in anger. Granted my words have at times been direct and forceful but they have never been angry. People tend to read a lot into things here, not always charitably.
I am glad the Administrator clarified the nature of the Forum. I submit that this is far from obvious: I accessed the Forum originally through the site for the Byzantine Catholic Church. The disclaimer at the bottom of the page informs us that the forum is an "unofficial site of the Byzantine Catholic Church in America". Surely one could assume a Catholic identity for the forum from this. I personally think many an unwitting Latin, asking questions in all innocence has been set upon here and left with a very negative impression. Indeed many of the things which you have found offensive were the sort of questions and objections I would have raised a few years ago. It is rare that I have seen hostility from Latin posters, it is often I have seen hostility toward them.