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

[JamesRottnek]

I believe there is also a Zoroastrian temple somewhere in America, but I can't recall where I've read this.

Anyways, I voted Jewish.  If I were to lose faith in Orthodoxy, the only other Christian group I can possibly see as being true are the OO.  However, if 'Orthodox' is to mean EO and OO, then I would go with Orthodox Judaism.  The history of the Church leads me to believe that Catholicism, Protestantism, Nestorianism, etc. are all serious deviations from the True Church.  If I were to ever join a Christian group that isn't Orthodox, it would be for reasons other than faith.  And if I were to join a religion for something other than faith, I could probably pick a more interesting and free religion than some type of Christianity or Judaism, to convince myself of.

[Punch]

I believe there is also a Zoroastrian temple somewhere in America, but I can't recall where I've read this.

Anyways, I voted Jewish.  If I were to lose faith in Orthodoxy, the only other Christian group I can possibly see as being true are the OO.  However, if 'Orthodox' is to mean EO and OO, then I would go with Orthodox Judaism.  The history of the Church leads me to believe that Catholicism, Protestantism, Nestorianism, etc. are all serious deviations from the True Church.  If I were to ever join a Christian group that isn't Orthodox, it would be for reasons other than faith.  And if I were to join a religion for something other than faith, I could probably pick a more interesting and free religion than some type of Christianity or Judaism, to convince myself of.

If I were to reject Orthodoxy, I would reject all of Christianity.  I would also reject the Jewish religion since the Christian is only a logical (to me) fulfillment of the Jewish.  That is why I would choose a religion that pre-dates even the Jewish and choose the Hindu or one of its derivatives.

[Jetavan]

I believe there is also a Zoroastrian temple somewhere in America, but I can't recall where I've read this.

Anyways, I voted Jewish.  If I were to lose faith in Orthodoxy, the only other Christian group I can possibly see as being true are the OO.  However, if 'Orthodox' is to mean EO and OO, then I would go with Orthodox Judaism.  The history of the Church leads me to believe that Catholicism, Protestantism, Nestorianism, etc. are all serious deviations from the True Church.  If I were to ever join a Christian group that isn't Orthodox, it would be for reasons other than faith.  And if I were to join a religion for something other than faith, I could probably pick a more interesting and free religion than some type of Christianity or Judaism, to convince myself of.

If I were to reject Orthodoxy, I would reject all of Christianity.  I would also reject the Jewish religion since the Christian is only a logical (to me) fulfillment of the Jewish.  That is why I would choose a religion that pre-dates even the Jewish and choose the Hindu or one of its derivatives.

Wouldn't the religion one would choose, depend upon the precise reason why one rejected Orthodoxy? If you rejected Orthodoxy for one reason, you might become Jewish; if for another reason, you might become Hindu.

[Punch]

I believe there is also a Zoroastrian temple somewhere in America, but I can't recall where I've read this.

Anyways, I voted Jewish.  If I were to lose faith in Orthodoxy, the only other Christian group I can possibly see as being true are the OO.  However, if 'Orthodox' is to mean EO and OO, then I would go with Orthodox Judaism.  The history of the Church leads me to believe that Catholicism, Protestantism, Nestorianism, etc. are all serious deviations from the True Church.  If I were to ever join a Christian group that isn't Orthodox, it would be for reasons other than faith.  And if I were to join a religion for something other than faith, I could probably pick a more interesting and free religion than some type of Christianity or Judaism, to convince myself of.

If I were to reject Orthodoxy, I would reject all of Christianity.  I would also reject the Jewish religion since the Christian is only a logical (to me) fulfillment of the Jewish.  That is why I would choose a religion that pre-dates even the Jewish and choose the Hindu or one of its derivatives.

Wouldn't the religion one would choose, depend upon the precise reason why one rejected Orthodoxy? If you rejected Orthodoxy for one reason, you might become Jewish; if for another reason, you might become Hindu.

Without Christianity to fulfill the Jewish religion, the whole "Chosen People" issue becomes BS.  Chosen for what?  To be the whipping boy of virtually every society that has come since?  Judaism has no meaning outside of Christ.  The Hindu have been around far longer, and actually make more sense.  Their cyclic view of time is also more sensible than our liner timeline, since virtually everything in nature operates on a cycle. 

So, I suppose that you are correct.  However, I can not see a reason that I would reject Christianity that would leave Judaism at all palatable.

[Ortho_cat]

great thread!

[JamesRottnek]

I believe there is also a Zoroastrian temple somewhere in America, but I can't recall where I've read this.

Anyways, I voted Jewish.  If I were to lose faith in Orthodoxy, the only other Christian group I can possibly see as being true are the OO.  However, if 'Orthodox' is to mean EO and OO, then I would go with Orthodox Judaism.  The history of the Church leads me to believe that Catholicism, Protestantism, Nestorianism, etc. are all serious deviations from the True Church.  If I were to ever join a Christian group that isn't Orthodox, it would be for reasons other than faith.  And if I were to join a religion for something other than faith, I could probably pick a more interesting and free religion than some type of Christianity or Judaism, to convince myself of.

If I were to reject Orthodoxy, I would reject all of Christianity.  I would also reject the Jewish religion since the Christian is only a logical (to me) fulfillment of the Jewish.  That is why I would choose a religion that pre-dates even the Jewish and choose the Hindu or one of its derivatives.

Wouldn't the religion one would choose, depend upon the precise reason why one rejected Orthodoxy? If you rejected Orthodoxy for one reason, you might become Jewish; if for another reason, you might become Hindu.

Without Christianity to fulfill the Jewish religion, the whole "Chosen People" issue becomes BS.  Chosen for what?  To be the whipping boy of virtually every society that has come since?  Judaism has no meaning outside of Christ.  The Hindu have been around far longer, and actually make more sense.  Their cyclic view of time is also more sensible than our liner timeline, since virtually everything in nature operates on a cycle. 

So, I suppose that you are correct.  However, I can not see a reason that I would reject Christianity that would leave Judaism at all palatable.

If I were to reject Orthodoxy, I would have to reject all of Christendom, as well.  But I would be doing so because I could no longer believe Christ is Messiah, and if He is not Messiah, then He certainly can't be God.  However, there would be no reason from my point of view to reject Judaism, as its meaning wouldn't have changed since before Christ came; it would still be waiting for the messiah. 

However, if I were to go with a religion other than Judaism, it would probably be Zoroastrianism (though the Iranian Zoroastrians, of course, because the Parsees don't actually permit conversion). 

[Arachne]

This thread is too good to stay dead.

If I were to reject Orthodoxy, I would have to reject all of Christendom, as well.

Likewise. I used to think I could survive, at least for a while, as a RC or Anglican, but closer contact has disabused me of that notion. I'd have to move into paganism, most probably Druidry. (Ironically, the OBOD branch concentrates on the link to the land, instead of the faith/ritual aspect, so it is actually possible to have Christian and Jewish Druids among them. Go figure.)

[Cyrillic]

I went with the majority this time.

[Gunnarr]

Donatist

[orthonorm]

If I were to reject Orthodoxy, I would have to reject all of Christendom, as well

and become an Anglican.


//:=)

[orthonorm]

Islam is really cool when you see it the movies or on TV shows when they all do that simultaneous prostrating and ritual washing that is lit really well.

Islam is also really cool when you read its "philosophical" tradition and it teaches you everything the RCs have been holding on to for centuries and much more.

Islam is also really cool when you see all that architecture, calligraphy, and artsy stuff.

Islam is also really cool when you learn about it various alternatives to the "western" systemics of jurisprudence, economic systems, etc.

Then you read the Koran.

Or look at a youtube video by an American Islamic teacher and he sounds like the guy who tried really hard to be tough who you used to by crummy weed from in junior high.

Or see anything by Rumi or newage Sufism.

Then you realize Goethe musta had a guy who tried really hard to be tough selling him better weed.

[orthonorm]

I'd have to move into paganism, most probably Druidry.

Worshiping Celestia makes more sense.

[Jetavan]

Or see anything by Rumi....

You don't like Rumi?

[OrthoNoob]

I might be Roman Catholic. But if not, I would definitely be Roman Pagan.

[orthonorm]

Or see anything by Rumi....

You don't like Rumi?

Sometimes you can't remove the context in which you found things sufficiently enough.

Rumi is on the shelf next to Wayne Dyer, Women who Run with Wolves, and Our Bodies, Our Selves. Edition XXIV. Now with your own speculum!

[Eastern Mind]

I'd have to move into paganism, most probably Druidry.

Worshiping Celestia makes more sense.

That, and most "Druids" aren't really practicing anything other than neo-"celtic" crap.  If you must be a Celtic Neopagan, at least become a Celtic Recon. At least they stick to history.

[Arachne]

Worshiping Celestia makes more sense.

Which one?

That, and most "Druids" aren't really practicing anything other than neo-"celtic" crap.  If you must be a Celtic Neopagan, at least become a Celtic Recon. At least they stick to history.

Please. I've been around recons. The quibbling would drive anyone nuts. Especially since there's very little to reconstruct, seeing as history says diddly squat (and myths, as is their wont, tangle like a cat toy).

[walter1234]

Why do so many people here choose the Catholic? Is  Catholic closer or more similar to Orthodoxy by comparing with other christianity?

[Eastern Mind]

Please. I've been around recons. The quibbling would drive anyone nuts. Especially since there's very little to reconstruct, seeing as history says diddly squat (and myths, as is their wont, tangle like a cat toy).

Ha! Very good point. They do tend to sit around and bicker than they do practice. Or they just become walking encyclopedias. But, I actually prefer them to Hellenic Recons. Those people drive me nuts.

[Arachne]

But, I actually prefer them to Hellenic Recons. Those people drive me nuts.

I've known decent HRs. YSEE members are NOT among those. More than driving people nuts, they ARE nuts.

[Justin Kissel]

Why do so many people here choose the Catholic? Is  Catholic closer or more similar to Orthodoxy by comparing with other christianity?

IMO the closest are Eastern Orthodoxy and Oriental Orthodoxy, but Catholicism and Orthodoxy are closer than most groups would be.

[Eastern Mind]

But, I actually prefer them to Hellenic Recons. Those people drive me nuts.

I've known decent HRs. YSEE members are NOT among those. More than driving people nuts, they ARE nuts.

Never ran into those, but I'm looking at their website right now.

[orthonorm]

But, I actually prefer them to Hellenic Recons. Those people drive me nuts.

I've known decent HRs. YSEE members are NOT among those. More than driving people nuts, they ARE nuts.

Do they use dice or are we talking more simplified game mechanics? Like rock, paper, scissors?

[Arachne]

Do they use dice or are we talking more simplified game mechanics? Like rock, paper, scissors?

Knucklebones, if I'm not mistaken.

[JamesR]

How about an Aztec neo-pagan like my ancestors? Conventional religions are boring and overrated.

[orthonorm]

How about an Aztec neo-pagan like my ancestors? Conventional religions are boring and overrated.

The religion of your people (Californians) is Scientology which is a huge step up from anything with the word pagan in it.

[J Michael]

How about an Aztec neo-pagan like my ancestors?

Complete with human sacrifice?


Wow!

[JamesR]

How about an Aztec neo-pagan like my ancestors? Conventional religions are boring and overrated.

The religion of your people (Californians) is Scientology which is a huge step up from anything with the word pagan in it.

Tom Cruise was in my closet

[J Michael]

How about an Aztec neo-pagan like my ancestors? Conventional religions are boring and overrated.

The religion of your people (Californians) is Scientology which is a huge step up from anything with the word pagan in it.

He's talkin' 'bout his *ancestors*, not his *people*.  

[J Michael]

How about an Aztec neo-pagan like my ancestors? Conventional religions are boring and overrated.

The religion of your people (Californians) is Scientology which is a huge step up from anything with the word pagan in it.

Tom Cruise was in my closet

Hope you weren't in there with him.

[orthonorm]

How about an Aztec neo-pagan like my ancestors?

Complete with human sacrifice?


Wow!

It's California, they have a soy alternative. And unfortunately, it is not PEOPLE!

[Jetavan]

Soylent Green is people.

[orthonorm]

Soylent Green is people.

Dude, it no longer does. It's even gluten free. It contains absolutely nothing, except Californians, which is to say nothing.

[Nephi]

If neither Orthodox (EO/OO) nor their splinter groups, then probably Roman Catholic (traditionalist or sedevecantist). If not RC, then it'd be a toss-up between Pure Land Buddhism, Baha'i, Zoroastrianism, and Sikhism.

[Jetavan]

If neither Orthodox (EO/OO) nor their splinter groups, then probably Roman Catholic (traditionalist or sedevecantist). If not RC, then it'd be a toss-up between Pure Land Buddhism, Baha'i, Zoroastrianism, and Sikhism.

Why not become Jewish and pray for the Messiah?

[adampjr]

Probably I'd remain Presbyterian. I like a lot about that group, but I think I've found more Orthodoxy and we will probably become catachumens this year. If it didn't exist I think i'd remain as I am.

[Nephi]

Why not become Jewish and pray for the Messiah?

Frankly I don't think that Rabbinic Judaism is the faith of ancient Israel. It's too obviously, in my opinion, a later development and much in response to Christianity. Their definitive Oral Torah claims in particular.

Although I do have a decent respect for Hasidic beliefs after meeting a Chabaud Center's rabbi.

[WPM]

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

Probably Agnostic or MultiCultural Religion.

[jmbejdl]

I think I'd be of no faith whatsoever if I weren't Orthodox. Rejecting Orthodoxy would mean rejecting Christianity to me and I certainly can't think of another major religion I could be happy with. Judaism and Islam would certainly be out - Judaism without its fulfilment in Christ seems like a nonsense and I find Islam to be repulsive. I certainly couldn't be a Buddhist again either. As I've tried and failed to be atheist in the past I suspect that I'd either end up retreating into my own personal 'spirituality' or indulging in some sort of syncretist pick-and-choosery, which is much the same thing. Of course, with my background in psychology I'd likely justify that as some sort of personally meaningful symbolism rather than any objective reality.

James

[tweety234]

Zoroastrian

why is that? and what denomination of that would you be? still an orthodox?

[tweety234]

Sufi Islam

yeah. It is the only islamic sect that I love. But I think there are some suffi groups you could be a member of, without having to be a muslim. As long as you confess that there is only one God. These groups don't care how you call this God, as long as you truly accept that there is only one God.

[mike]

Zoroastrian

why is that? and what denomination of that would you be? still an orthodox?

Reminds me of a joke:

A few thugs assault a man in Belfast:
- Are you Catholic or Protestant?
- Gentlemen, I'm Jewish - the guy responds.
After a few seconds of hesitation:
- OK. Are you Catholic Jewish or Protestant Jewish?

[NicholasMyra]

If required to choose a non-Christian religion, Krishna seems like an okay guy.

[NicholasMyra]

I'd have to move into paganism, most probably Druidry.

Worshiping Celestia makes more sense.

Or her siblings Inanna and Dumuzid:

[minasoliman]

Edition XXIV. Now with your own speculum![/i]

I choked on my coffee reading this...thanks for the mental image