I might add that you will find "good" people who aren't in the least bit "loony" in virtually any religious group. That does not mean though that their theology and ecclesiology is that of Christ's Church.
Here are some the top 7 reasons you might
want to join ROAC.
1.) You've been charged with serious questions of morality perhaps involving certain sexual matters and now want to clear your name by crying
HERESY! to your right-believing Orthodox bishops
2.)You have a deep psychological need that can be filled through un-Orthodox exclusivity and cultishness- one most satisfied by being "of the elect" that's seperate from "them"- even if the "them" are your Orthodox brothers. When your group gets too big though, you're most likely to find another smaller and more "correct" group to join.
3.) You are not Orthodox, or have been Orthodox for a short time and have read the writings of St. Mark of Ephesus until your eyes blurred and now you think his remarks apply to today's Orthodox world. With your "vast" new-found knowledge of Orthodoxy, you'll correct things.
4.) You think that only you and your buddies can save the Church through your wise and pious example- not Christ and his councils. (Wait, doesn't this sound like Sergianism?)
5.)You enjoy "proof-texting"(much like the Protestants, I might add) the writings and letters of the ever memorable Met. Philaret of ROCOR to create a picture that fits in with your newly found world view. Most likely, the leaders you'll accept who call Met. Philaret a saint were accusing him of heresy back in the 1970's and early 80's. Funny how things change, huh?
6.) You like the comfort of thinking you're one of a few thousand "true" Christians left in the entire world. You also enjoy playing God by claiming that NO GRACE exists in the mysteries outside of your self-made jurisdiction. At least you'll get visitations from Christ telling you this....or how else would you know conclusively?
7.)You like to think that the situation in Russia is/was a simple one, easily figured out by application of the canons. Ok...plug the formula into the canons...let the computer calculate....
waiting .........waiting......waiting.......Ok, they're graceless!
There are plenty more...but why waste them all now..
