I have no idea if the Orthodox Church has some official stance on such a matter, how could it?
But from my experience this sounds like madness. Being involved in a cult that would purport to engage in such practices I can tell you that we more sane members know that some things are worse to confess and ask for forgiveness for than not to.
Your suggestion doesn't fit Scripture nor Orthodox theology as I understand it nor common sense.
Many a would be repentant have uprooted more than a few lives in their attempt to make things "right". God ain't bound by the hearts or minds of men. And harming others in search of forgiveness (read peace of mind) for yourself seems like a rather self-centered act.
I am sorry to hear you are so vexed by this. Many great posts are above mine.
I assumed you were talking to or reffering to me (forgive me) and so naturally it hurt and I was about to give a passionate rebuttal but then my connection shut-off as - being a LESS sane person - I only get 30 minutes at a time in this post-treatment program I live in - me being a chronicly homeless 45-day sober drug-addict who is truly in the process - more than Ive ever been - of truly accepting the fact that I truly do suffer from insanity.As I inventoried this resentment at your comment I recieved Divine consolation that Jesus is still my friend even though Im insane - in fact He condescends very low to me when I realize that I am sick and need His help.Now I must resist the temptation to be an oxymoronical pharasaical publican thanking God Im not like you "more sane" people(Why do we have to be snarky with each other on oc.net ?)....Anyhoo: I like how true organic Orthodox spirituality was more actiony before the days of theology that only came about to counteract that heretic invention.Fr. Paisias Aschultz of St. Mary of Egypt Serbian Orthodox Church helped put out a REALLY good packet of literature called "Addicted to the World." He traces 12-Step recovery to its Orthodox roots and the 9th step reads " I now go directly to these persons to seek forgiveness,reconcilation,restitution or release,whenever and with whomever possible,unless to do so would cause further harm." Some of the scriptural references are: Proverbs 6 1-5: My son, if you become surety for your friend,
If you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger,
2 You are snared by the words of your mouth;
You are taken by the words of your mouth.
3 So do this, my son, and deliver yourself;
For you have come into the hand of your friend:
Go and humble yourself;
Plead with your friend.
4 Give no sleep to your eyes,
Nor slumber to your eyelids.
5 Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,
And like a bird from the hand of the fowler.
Exodus 22:1,6 - “If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and slaughters it or sells it, he shall restore five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep. 2 If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed. 3 If the sun has risen on him, there shall be guilt for his bloodshed. He should make full restitution; if he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. 4 If the theft is certainly found alive in his hand, whether it is an ox or donkey or sheep, he shall restore double.
5 “If a man causes a field or vineyard to be grazed, and lets loose his animal, and it feeds in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field and the best of his own vineyard.
6 “If fire breaks out and catches in thorns, so that stacked grain, standing grain, or the field is consumed, he who kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.
Leviticus 6:1-5 -And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 2 “If a person sins and commits a trespass against the Lord by lying to his neighbor about what was delivered to him for safekeeping, or about a pledge, or about a robbery, or if he has extorted from his neighbor, 3 or if he has found what was lost and lies concerning it, and swears falsely—in any one of these things that a man may do in which he sins: 4 then it shall be, because he has sinned and is guilty, that he shall restore what he has stolen, or the thing which he has extorted, or what was delivered to him for safekeeping, or the lost thing which he found, 5 or all that about which he has sworn falsely. He shall restore its full value, add one-fifth more to it, and give it to whomever it belongs, on the day of his trespass offering.
Ill add the quotes from the Holy Fathers on this later.Not everyone may need to go on an amends making escipade but recovering drug addicts and alcoholics do tend to need to get to this point in God's time in a way that doesnt cause further harm of wich 12 step recovery through God has perfected the art of.
