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I am so tired of coming onto a Byzantine Catholic forum as a Byzantine Catholic and being flamed for my belief in the primacy of the Pope, Papal infallibility, my faith in the hierarchs of my church, and my support for the updated Liturgy. If you want to be Orthodox, or if you want to be eastern Catholic without the "Catholic" part, good for you, go, have fun, feel high and mighty, just don't come into the Byz. Cath. house and tell us what you feel is better, because it isn't. I am leaving the forum, you can all feel superior in your nit-picking with the rubrics. I will be on my knees in prayer!

Excuse me - what's all this about ?

Please explain , just what has got your back up like this.

I was curious and poked around to see if he was being personally flamed. I did not really notice any. Perhaps I missed it, or perhaps he was being a bit over sensitive. Or perhaps he never realized that we here often discuss (and try to overcome) these differences which have separated our churches in the past.

Peace to him and his holy church.
-ray

I don't know that he [Theologos] necessarily meant he was personally flamed; it is just a general feeling or experience he has here with some of the people.

It is easy for me to see what he means... some here just seem to look for an opportunity to sew doubt, question, etc., in order to plant their own doubts or anger or dispair or something in themselves that is empty... being a very happy Catholic myself, I want to help others come to know the truth, not blast them away...and leave them in confusion...

It is no secret that I do not agree with your views on the issues you raise in your post (e.g., primacy, papal infallibility, or the modernized liturgy), but I do not doubt that you are a Byzantine Catholic, nor would I question your standing in the Church even though I disagree with your theological opinions. Always remember that it is a virtue in dialogue to remain dispassionate.

Sadly, I think Theologos is gone... it may be too late for him, but there are others who feel the same way. I think charity and careful wording is the key to good dialogue...*sigh*...and some of the people here just seem to delight in trying to shock others with a "holier than thou" "super-correct" posture... May the Lord enlighten our hearts and set a watch over our tongues...

I think that honesty is the key to good dialogue.

Hmmm...I should have charity and truth... honesty is very important, too, of course, but honesty is not the same thing as truth... Moslems might be very honest, but they are not in the truth... We can bring them the truth, though, in charity and much prayer...

I think, and this is only my impression, that Theologos' issue was not what was said, but the manner in which what was said was said; otherwise, why would he feel "flamed"? Again, I pray, "May the Lord enlighten our hearts and set a watch over our tongues..."

If both sides are speaking honestly with each other, it follows of necessity that they are relating the truth as they understand it. Nevertheless, in addition to honesty, dialogue also requires charity and openness to the other, but this openness must not be confused with the idea that compromise is the inevitable outcome of the conversation. The point of dialogue is understanding, and not necessarily agreement.

I cannot speak about the secrets contained in Theologos' heart, because that is between him and God. But I can say this, some people -- regardless of the way in which you state your position -- become enflamed simply because you do not agree with them.

And, sometimes people 'pm' other people - I really have no idea of this, for I have not really noticed his posts - and that can make things hard if words are said 'behind' the main discussion taking place.

God bless you Theologos and I pray our Good Lord heals your heart.
Forgive us for anyway we have offended you in the name of Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Thank you, Pani Rose, for that. I hope Theologos will be able to get your message.

And how many times have I said in an non judgemental way a disagreement of some position, only to be misinterpreted.
People get upset. Some are not native speakers of English and interpret their own imports of how something was said.
Everyone one in here should be able to carry on a discussion and even strongly disagree with each other. That does not mean we are uncharitable to each other.
Hopefully people will get over it and have some profitible discussion.
I have seen that quality of what is being discussed as really slipping for "fear" of someone getting offended, and that is sad on an academic level.
Stephanos I

Just hang in there, Stephonos I. God knows your heart and will bless you if you are trying to help others to come to the truth...

Glad to know you're a Catholic. So am I. But relax - nobody is trying to persecute you.

Fr. Serge