88Devin12
Warned
Protokentarchos
 Offline
Faith: Orthodox Christian
Posts: 4,172
|
 |
« on: July 13, 2010, 02:05:40 PM » |
|
Over the past couple months, I've been participating in this forum as well as other Christian forums, and I've begun to notice certain trends that weren't as noticeable before (they were there, but were more rare).
I've begun to see rifts develop between people, between Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Roman Catholics, Protestants etc... As well as within faiths themselves.
I've seen appalling comments by people that are supposed to be the light of Christ showing into the world (myself included), but instead we try to use that light to burn others that disagree with us.
Eventually, last night, I begun to really question some things and really began hurting when I saw comments like these. I then realized... This is how Satan wishes to destroy us, and the Church. He tempts us and then we submit to his temptations. When we abuse one another, or when we abuse others, that is us submitting to his will and thus he is not only drawing us away from Christ, but he is also drawing others away from Christ as well...
He's trying to use us against one another. He wants to divide us against one another, not just to cause schisms, but to lead outsiders away from us and our Church.
Please, let's all check ourselves and step back, think and pray before we speak, ask forgiveness when we've hurt someone, no matter if we are "right".
I know I'm a horrible hypocrite when it comes to this, but we all need to watch out and guard ourselves...
Lord, have mercy on us all and forgive us!
Please forgive me brothers and sisters...
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
SolEX01
|
|
« Reply #1 on: July 13, 2010, 04:57:39 PM » |
|
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Have Mercy on me, a sinner.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Have Mercy on me, a sinner.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Have Mercy on me, a sinner.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
rakovsky
|
|
« Reply #2 on: July 13, 2010, 09:02:53 PM » |
|
Over the past couple months, I've been participating in this forum as well as other Christian forums, and I've begun to notice certain trends that weren't as noticeable before (they were there, but were more rare).
I've begun to see rifts develop between people, between Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Roman Catholics, Protestants etc... As well as within faiths themselves. You think this is increasing on the forum? Maybe it is just itnernet life. It can be harder to see where the other person is coming from when it is just digits on a screen. I've seen appalling comments by people that are supposed to be the light of Christ showing into the world (myself included), but instead we try to use that light to burn others that disagree with us.
Eventually, last night, I begun to really question some things and really began hurting when I saw comments like these. I then realized... This is how Satan wishes to destroy us, and the Church. He tempts us and then we submit to his temptations. When we abuse one another, or when we abuse others, that is us submitting to his will and thus he is not only drawing us away from Christ, but he is also drawing others away from Christ as well...
He's trying to use us against one another. He wants to divide us against one another, not just to cause schisms, but to lead outsiders away from us and our Church.
Please, let's all check ourselves and step back, think and pray before we speak, ask forgiveness when we've hurt someone, no matter if we are "right".
I know I'm a horrible hypocrite when it comes to this, but we all need to watch out and guard ourselves...
Lord, have mercy on us all and forgive us!
Please forgive me brothers and sisters... Sure, we just try to do our best and show the other person that we care about them. Maybe as an example, I think the debate about Orientals' theology is important so we can reunite. But we also need right understanding of these ideas, not just putting reuniting first and theology at nothing. So I encourage people to talk about it for understanding the issues, and remind them that I want to see such unity. God Be With You. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
88Devin12
Warned
Protokentarchos
Offline
Faith: Orthodox Christian
Posts: 4,172
|
|
« Reply #3 on: July 14, 2010, 11:47:32 AM » |
|
It isn't about "ecumenism" or "discussion", we can have discussion without calling one another heretics or offering veiled insults... I've seen this way too much on this website (and others)...
Please forgive me...
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Papist
|
|
« Reply #4 on: July 14, 2010, 01:03:32 PM » |
|
It isn't about "ecumenism" or "discussion", we can have discussion without calling one another heretics or offering veiled insults... I've seen this way too much on this website (and others)...
Please forgive me...
Indeed. I ask forgiveness of those that I have offended as well. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
"The only-begotten Son of God, wanting us to be partakers of his divinity, assumed our human nature so that, having become man, he might make men gods." - St. Thomas Aquinas
|
|
|
|
scamandrius
|
|
« Reply #5 on: July 14, 2010, 08:03:50 PM » |
|
With all due respect, Devin, I've not seen what you have observed on this forum.
Be that as it may, let us all forgive one another for the sake of the Resurrection of our Lord.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
I seek the truth by which no man was ever harmed--Marcus Aurelius Those who do not read history are doomed to get their facts from Hollywood--Anonymous What earthly joy remains untouched by grief?--St. John Damascene http://myorthodoxjourney.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
Fr. George
formerly "Cleveland"
Administrator
Domestikos tou thematos
Offline
Faith: Orthodox (Catholic) Christian
Jurisdiction: GOA - Metropolis of Pittsburgh
Posts: 19,013
May the Lord bless you and keep you always!
|
|
« Reply #6 on: July 19, 2010, 10:26:03 PM » |
|
Lord, have mercy.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
"The man who doesn't read good books has no advantage over the one who can't read them." Mark Twain
---------------------
Ordained on 17 & 18-Oct 2009. Please forgive me if earlier posts are poorly worded or incorrect in any way.
|
|
|
|
Gebre Menfes Kidus
|
|
« Reply #7 on: July 20, 2010, 05:59:28 AM » |
|
Over the past couple months, I've been participating in this forum as well as other Christian forums, and I've begun to notice certain trends that weren't as noticeable before (they were there, but were more rare).
I've begun to see rifts develop between people, between Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Roman Catholics, Protestants etc... As well as within faiths themselves.
I've seen appalling comments by people that are supposed to be the light of Christ showing into the world (myself included), but instead we try to use that light to burn others that disagree with us.
Eventually, last night, I begun to really question some things and really began hurting when I saw comments like these. I then realized... This is how Satan wishes to destroy us, and the Church. He tempts us and then we submit to his temptations. When we abuse one another, or when we abuse others, that is us submitting to his will and thus he is not only drawing us away from Christ, but he is also drawing others away from Christ as well...
He's trying to use us against one another. He wants to divide us against one another, not just to cause schisms, but to lead outsiders away from us and our Church.
Please, let's all check ourselves and step back, think and pray before we speak, ask forgiveness when we've hurt someone, no matter if we are "right".
I know I'm a horrible hypocrite when it comes to this, but we all need to watch out and guard ourselves...
Lord, have mercy on us all and forgive us!
Please forgive me brothers and sisters...
Thank you for your wise insights brother. How can I repsond other than begging forgiveness from those whom I have offended and asking God for His mercy? "Lord have mercy." Selam |
|
|
|
« Last Edit: July 20, 2010, 06:00:56 AM by Gebre Menfes Kidus »
|
Logged
|
"Salvation is free, but not easy. It is completely dependent upon the grace of God, and yet we must work it out with fear and trembling. It is given to all, but only a few find it. We are saved only by His Cross, and yet not without taking up our own." +GMK+
|
|
|
|
ytterbiumanalyst
|
|
« Reply #8 on: July 20, 2010, 04:41:23 PM » |
|
Lord have mercy.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
"It is remarkable that what we call the world...in what professes to be true...will allow in one man no blemishes, and in another no virtue."--Charles Dickens
|
|
|
theistgal
Byzantine (Ruthenian) Catholic gadfly
High Elder
Offline
Faith: Follower of Jesus Christ
Jurisdiction: Byzantine Catholic
Posts: 1,738
don't even go there!
|
|
« Reply #9 on: July 20, 2010, 05:34:00 PM » |
|
I don't think it's new, or unique to this forum. Once saw a flame war erupt on a site dedicated to women with long hair - one of the women had cut her hair shoulder-length and dared to mention how much easier it was to care for. Sacrilege!!  (and no, it wasn't me ... though I was sorely tempted!)  |
|
|
|
« Last Edit: July 20, 2010, 05:34:35 PM by theistgal »
|
Logged
|
"Sometimes, you just gotta say, 'OK, I still have nine live, two-headed animals' and move on.'' (owner of Coney Island freak show, upon learning he'd been outbid on a 5-legged puppy)
|
|
|
|
