www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Leaving for awhile

I am decided to leave the Forum for a period. I have been a member of the Byzantine Forum for several years now and have so enjoyed the contact with my fellow Eastern Christians and have learned so much from all of them.
However, I do feel that the character of this forum has changed to one that is a bit more hard-edged and part of "culture wars" and less on Byzantine Christianity. I know I have been just as guilty for this change of character.
Anyway, my love and prayers go to so many on here, they are hard to name but they know who they are and OUr Lord knows too and I thank the Administrator for his constant fairness and stewardship of this needed Forum!

Peace and Love in OUr Lord and the Blessed Mother,
Brian

Brian,

I am sad to see you go, even for a short time.

I would only say that the cultural wars are very often the place where life and faith meet. Byzantine Christianity (both Orthodox and Catholic) offers a unique perspective that I think should address these issues openly in forums such as this one. The social dimension of the Gospel often requires a hearty debate, if only to refine its underlying theoria and praxis.

I have personally appreciated your perspective on a number of posts, even if I did not always agree with everything you shared. I hope you will return to us soon.

Peace,

Gordo, who begs pardon for any offense given through human weakness

Dear Brian,

Just forgive Gordo and stay, O.K.?

What "culture wars?"

There are people here with culture?

Sorry . . .

Stay, stay!

Alex

Gordo,

Did you take your lap top camping?

Dan L

Dear Brother in Christ, Brian Seraphim,

Please don't go. There is still alot written and discussed on this forum that relates and teaches about Byzantine spirituality.

There are topics I don't agree with, though I am coming to understand them more by just reading, respecting, and really listening to what my brethren have to say on the topic, and I do this by not necessarily participating in them.

Through life, we will go through periods where we will remain steadfast in some beliefs and come to change on other beliefs...for Christians, life is a spiritual growth process and if we listen to our Church, read scripture, lives of Saints, seek out our spiritual fathers with humility and an open heart, and pray for enlightenment, we often come to understand and accept things in ways we never could before...this applies to many aspects of life. The one thing that never changes is the fact that we ALL struggle with sins, some big, some small, and that all we can do in that struggle is to not rationalize them, but to keep on getting up after we fall. Orthodoxy is very big on this teaching.

We all don't have to agree with each other about everything as long as we aren't rude to each other, and are willing to really listen to each other.

So please reconsider being a participant here. You are loved and valued.

In Christ's love,
Alice