What faith would you be if you weren't Orthodox?

[wynd]

I thought that this might be an interesting poll.  I'd just like Orthodox people to respond to the poll please, though I suppose it would be interesting for others to make comments too.  It would be great if you told us why you decided on the option you did, and what you second choice might be. 

I chose Buddhist as my "other option".  This would have to be in a situation where there was no such thing as Orthodoxy, or if I just didn't know about it.  I know, I know, very hypothetical, or worse.  I'm not sure if my real answer might have been Catholic or Atheist.  But, I don't really have to choose, since this situation doesn't exist at all, right? 

Okay, I goofed.  I took out Buddhist by mistake.  Hey mods, can I modify this poll and put it back in?

I voted Catholic. I grew up non-practicing Catholic and started going to church again when I got to college (the opposite of a lot of people, I know), so as other people posted, that's what I'd be if I hadn't found Orthodoxy.

[stashko]

i would be either  a Jehovah's wittness or a morman,,to me they are the nicest people of faith to ever cross my path...as a kid i use to attend a kingdom hall ...also in Utah when my motor cycle broke down it was the mormans that helped....God Bless them Both...they left me good memories...stashko

[pathofsolitude]

This is a neat topic.

If I didnt believe in the Lord Jesus I would form a religion similar to Islam. But I wouldnt fake any revelations like Mohammed did. The primary doctrine would be that God is one hypostasis and one prosopon. And there would be a strict monastic life.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

So if you weren't inventing your own personal form of Christianity, you'd be forming your own personal form of Islam. Hmm. It seems you just don't want to be bothered by having to be kind to anyone.

[prodromas]

This is a neat topic.

If I didnt believe in the Lord Jesus I would form a religion similar to Islam. But I wouldnt fake any revelations like Mohammed did. The primary doctrine would be that God is one hypostasis and one prosopon. And there would be a strict monastic life.

HAHAHA Pathofsolitude do you actually listen to yourself your post is pretty much the same to your position now and to quote out of context " Pathofsolitude hast abolished God and made himself in His stead". Do you understand how close you sound to the people that actually create there own religions! they say that they have some special gift (for you its the "holy spirit") and then blather on about how no religion is right and only you are? Is it just me or do you see the pattern!?

[pathofsolitude]

HAHAHA Pathofsolitude do you actually listen to yourself your post is pretty much the same to your position now and to quote out of context " Pathofsolitude hast abolished God and made himself in His stead". Do you understand how close you sound to the people that actually create there own religions! they say that they have some special gift (for you its the "holy spirit") and then blather on about how no religion is right and only you are? Is it just me or do you see the pattern!?

This is funny. I wonder if you would say the same thing to FRChris [see the first page I think] who jokingly said he would "create" his own religion. Even I didnt say I would "create" a religion. I just said I would form [by "form" I mean "organize" etc] a religion which would basically be based on obvious principles. I even added that I would "not fake any revelations like Mohammed did." Okay so much for your polemic.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

Ah, but Fr. Chris's point is that there is only one true religion, and that all others are really self-serving. The spirit of his post is much different than the spirit of yours is. Here's his post again for those who don't want to search for it.

FatherChris-ism for me!

All other faiths are illusionary and made by individuals anyway; I might as well be honest about it and grab all the credit! 

See? This is a very Orthodox principle. Orthodoxy is the Way. All other faiths, well-intentioned though they may be, are man-made. For as much as you seem to be interested in the one right way to believe, you seem to have missed that. It's all around you, if you are Orthodox. Every Liturgy you pray shows you God's glory; every Confession you make brings you closer to Christlikeness. Instead of spurning "religion" and "society" and whatever else you think you don't like, take a look at true religion, true Christian koinonia. It's beautiful.

[admiralnick]

If not orthodox, I'd of course join the most liberal catholic church I could find. If not that, then Pastafarianism it shall be for me. All hail the Holy Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster and curse those infadels of the Church of the Soaring Fettucini Creature!

-nick

[minasoliman]

If not orthodox, I'd of course join the most liberal catholic church I could find. If not that, then Pastafarianism it shall be for me. All hail the Holy Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster and curse those infadels of the Church of the Soaring Fettucini Creature!

-nick

You heretic!  I am of the Alfredo baptized denomination of the CSFC!  I take that personally!  (just wanted to use the police smiley face...no reason whatsoever)

[GiC]

If we are to assume that Orthodoxy is the only True Religion and the Fullness of Faith, if the were no Orthodoxy, there would be no true representation of the divine on on Earth; would we not then be compeled to accept that there is no divine presence on earth and thus no divine? Atheism is the only logical faith under the assumptions of Orthodox Theology, were the same not to exist.

[ozgeorge]

If we are to assume that Orthodoxy is the only True Religion and the Fullness of Faith, if the were no Orthodoxy, there would be no true representation of the divine on on Earth; would we not then be compeled to accept that there is no divine presence on earth and thus no divine? Atheism is the only logical faith under the assumptions of Orthodox Theology, were the same not to exist.

Interesting question. I wonder though, if we understand Orthodoxy (or whatever) to be the fullness of God's Revelation of God to the world, if the God does not reveal Himself, why should Atheism automatically be the only choice? All that we could logically conclude is that "no deity has revealed Itself to us".

[PeterTheAleut]

Interesting question. I wonder though, if we understand Orthodoxy (or whatever) to be the fullness of God's Revelation of God to the world, if the God does not reveal Himself, why should Atheism automatically be the only choice? All that we could logically conclude is that "no deity has revealed Itself to us".

In which case, we'd be agnostic, not atheist.

[minasoliman]

In which case, we'd be agnostic, not atheist.

That would probably be me, since I would have come to a certain thought process of what a true religion should entail, and yet it is not available.  Nevertheless, I would say that as an agnostic, I would tend to lean towards atheism, since I would end up to fail finding this one true religion.  As many would say it best, atheism is not necessarily believing in no god, but the lack of belief in one.

[prodromas]

Well personally I'd follow pathofsolitude in a religion, because if I was (not) Orthodox I think that he/she has a fairly good grasp of things. I mean he/she has the holy spirit and I can't argue with that.
Sorry for the confusion Peter.

[PeterTheAleut]

well personally I'd follow pathofsolitude because if it's not Orthodox I think he has a fairly good grasp of things.

Huh?

[pathofsolitude]

Huh?

Huh?

[GiC]

Well personally I'd follow pathofsolitude in a religion, because if I was (not) Orthodox I think that he/she has a fairly good grasp of things. I mean he/she has the holy spirit and I can't argue with that.
Sorry for the confusion Peter.

LMAO ...good one.

[Veniamin]

LMAO ...good one.

You mean you don't want to be Trollodox, too?

[admiralnick]

You heretic!  I am of the Alfredo baptized denomination of the CSFC!  I take that personally!  (just wanted to use the police smiley face...no reason whatsoever)

The CSFC is just a bunch of people who didn't like Meatballs! You broke away from us, not us from you! Look at your history! 

-nick

[PeterTheAleut]

Huh?

COPYCAT!

[Didymus]

Pravoslavbob, aren't you able to modify the poll yourself anyway?

I think it would be better to ask what we would be if we had not discovered Orthodoxy. For me this is like asking where I would be if Christ had not come. As such, I would probably have been a Sikh as I see Sikhism as having a great deal in common with Christianity and many similiarities between its founder and our Father Abraham.

That being said, I'm glad the Orthodox Church exists!

[minasoliman]

The CSFC is just a bunch of people who didn't like Meatballs! You broke away from us, not us from you! Look at your history! 

-nick

Nuh-uh!  You can't catch meatballs, you make them.  Shrimp Alfredo Fettucini is our backbone Pastafarian dogma.  You catch shrimp.  The CFSM is a Church that makes things up along the way, just as you made your own history.   

[paradoxy]

I voted Catholic, (I like the Western Mass, and was elated to learn - only recently - that we have a Western Rite!  what? there's no 'elated' smilie?) but sometimes I think the Sufis are much closer to Orthodoxy in their view of the world and mindset... accepting paradox as the core of faith and praxis, instead of a rulebook.

Or Zoroastrian, or Jewish - it's about as close as it gets in terms of worship.

Or agnostic, or atheist, or Gnostic, or Satanist - if there was no Orthodoxy as it is, I'd still be rebeling against God as I imagined Him to be before I really found out about Orthodoxy (and I'm a cradle Orthodox... sorta)

[Ian Lazarus]

what? there's no 'elated' smilie

Try exstatic, or even happy.
 

[admiralnick]

Nuh-uh!  You can't catch meatballs, you make them.  Shrimp Alfredo Fettucini is our backbone Pastafarian dogma.  You catch shrimp.  The CFSM is a Church that makes things up along the way, just as you made your own history.   

You mean you would cook Ian Lazarus' avatar? I'm shocked and awed!

-nick

[minasoliman]

You mean you would cook Ian Lazarus' avatar? I'm shocked and awed!

-nick

yum 

[Pravoslavbob]

Pravoslavbob, aren't you able to modify the poll yourself anyway?

I don't know.  Probably.  I just don't know how.   

I think it would be better to ask what we would be if we had not discovered Orthodoxy. For me this is like asking where I would be if Christ had not come.

I know, it's kind of a weird queston.  Your idea would probably have been better.  But thanks for answering, anyway.

[BrotherAidan]

if I was not Orthodox I would just be a degenerate hedonist; that's what I gravitate toward if I slip in my prayer life; so I can't say I'd be anything nobel in some other religion.

[aserb]

Bro Aidan is the only honest man here.

[GiC]

Hey, I even admit to being a degenerate hedonist as things stand...but that's more of a philosophy than a religion.

[Νεκτάριος]

Bro Aidan is the only honest man here.

Right because every non-Orthodox person is a degenerate hedonist.   

[GiC]

Right because every non-Orthodox person is a degenerate hedonist.   

Oh, your statement is probably right on, though I'd extend it to include every Orthodox person as well. We're all, ultimately, pursuing some form of pleasure, whether it's physical or psychological.

[PeterTheAleut]

Oh, your statement is probably right on, though I'd extend it to include every Orthodox person as well. We're all, ultimately, pursuing some form of pleasure, whether it's physical or psychological.

Speak for yourself, buddy.

[GiC]

Speak for yourself, buddy.

Nah, I think I speak for everyone. But, of course, some get a form of pleasure out of denying this fact.

[Cleopas]

Errr, uhhhh, ...

Pardon me for saying so ... But the one true religion is Christianity. I can understand why someone might call one's sect or brand of Christianity a religion. However, it is (IMO) a misnomer. And it kinda gets my goat that other sects of the Christian faith are essentially placed on a level with utterly false and non-Christian religions. At least that is the way it appeared to me.

I mean, isn't being Protestant bad enough without being compared with the Christ-less? 

Just poking fun at ya'll. 



Anywho, if I had to choose from the list I would probably say...

Evangelical protestant.  Go figure. 


Okay, so now I'm gonna cast my vote and actually read the other replies. 

[stanley123]

Errr, uhhhh, ...

Pardon me for saying so ... But the one true religion is Christianity. I can understand why someone might call one's sect or brand of Christianity a religion. However, it is (IMO) a misnomer. And it kinda gets my goat that other sects of the Christian faith are essentially placed on a level with utterly false and non-Christian religions. At least that is the way it appeared to me.

I mean, isn't being Protestant bad enough without being compared with the Christ-less? 

Just poking fun at ya'll. 



Anywho, if I had to choose from the list I would probably say...

Evangelical protestant.  Go figure. 


Okay, so now I'm gonna cast my vote and actually read the other replies. 

Right. This is what I think also. It was surprising to me that people would choose atheism over a different Christian denomination.

[Marc1152]

I thought that this might be an interesting poll.  I'd just like Orthodox people to respond to the poll please, though I suppose it would be interesting for others to make comments too.  It would be great if you told us why you decided on the option you did, and what you second choice might be. 

I chose Buddhist as my "other option".  This would have to be in a situation where there was no such thing as Orthodoxy, or if I just didn't know about it.  I know, I know, very hypothetical, or worse.  I'm not sure if my real answer might have been Catholic or Atheist.  But, I don't really have to choose, since this situation doesn't exist at all, right? 

Okay, I goofed.  I took out Buddhist by mistake.  Hey mods, can I modify this poll and put it back in?

Of course then you would need to decide which type of Buddhist just like you have to choose which type of Christian.

Many Buddhists , especially in the West, follow a type of Buddhist Gnosticisnm. Other forms are deeply involved with occult type pracitces. Some see a Supreme Being and have made what Christens would see as some reasonable conclustions. Others meditate and have a very sober form of spirituality, other chant for health wealth and happiness and for more and better sex.

Religon is complicated.

Marc
Former Buddhist

[Αριστοκλής]

Okay, so now I'm gonna cast my vote and actually read the other replies. 

You're casting a vote in a poll that is explicitly for us "Orthodox"?

[Νεκτάριος]

Oh, your statement is probably right on, though I'd extend it to include every Orthodox person as well. We're all, ultimately, pursuing some form of pleasure, whether it's physical or psychological.

While true, and Orthodoxy itself is a philokaliac religion by its own admission, some forms of pleasure are nobler than others. 

[JoeS]

Of course then you would need to decide which type of Buddhist just like you have to choose which type of Christian.

Many Buddhists , especially in the West, follow a type of Buddhist Gnosticisnm. Other forms are deeply involved with occult type pracitces. Some see a Supreme Being and have made what Christens would see as some reasonable conclustions. Others meditate and have a very sober form of spirituality, other chant for health wealth and happiness and for more and better sex.

Religon is complicated.

Marc
Former Buddhist

With so many Christian faiths to choose from why would anyone choose a less-than redemptive religion?

[Nyssa The Hobbit]

other chant for health wealth and happiness and for more and better sex.

Hmmm....That sounds like some of those televangelists I've seen on digital cable lately.

[Cleopas]

You're casting a vote in a poll that is explicitly for us "Orthodox"?

I thought the originator permitted non-Orthodox members to participate, though he preferred orthodox users?
If I was mistaken I will gladly withdraw my vote.


I have re-read and see that he permitted comments but asked for those such as myself not to vote.
My apologies. The vote has been rescinded.

[Marc1152]

With so many Christian faiths to choose from why would anyone choose a less-than redemptive religion?

I would agree, but just for arguments sake, what if the "Christian" faith was based on frivolous idea's of wealth accumulation ( mostly the Pastors Wealth in reality) as compared to a really spiritually sober Zen Buddhism that restricts the passions and offers mercy to all sentient beings ? In other words, would a really conservative Buddhism be better than a really off kilter Christianity?

[GiC]

While true, and Orthodoxy itself is a philokaliac religion by its own admission, some forms of pleasure are nobler than others. 

Some forms of pleasure may be nobler (at least in the eyes of those pursuing them) than others; but in the end you're still pursuing pleasure, you're still a hedonist.

[stanley123]

I would agree, but just for arguments sake, what if the "Christian" faith was based on frivolous idea's of wealth accumulation ( mostly the Pastors Wealth in reality) as compared to a really spiritually sober Zen Buddhism that restricts the passions and offers mercy to all sentient beings ? In other words, would a really conservative Buddhism be better than a really off kilter Christianity?

I saw an article which claimed that according to a particular non-Christian religion, one of the  questions that will be asked of you at judgement time, will be how much money did you leave to your family. To some extent, I suppose that Christians will also be subject to a question like this concerning family responsibilites.

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