Dropping out

[rusmeister]

If anyone wants to keep me in your prayers...
I am a fairly isolated man, I see my few friends maybe once a month, and don't have any fellow native speakers in my town or even county, and have serious issues with depression. I've really relied on this forum, and don't feel I can do that anymore. I can't say what I think or believe to be Orthodox, and that has to do with the nature of this site. I'm dropping out, indefinitely. Maybe I'll show up specifically in the prayer thread. If the current situation is ever resolved, maybe I'll come back. I've said what I think I really have to contribute, and don't have too much to add elsewhere.
I'm not a door-slammer. But after twelve years here, I don't feel welcome anymore. It's not about most of you in TAW, a fine bunch of people. It's bigger than that. It's a general feeling that I can't rely on people and organizations that I ought to be able to rely on, that I don't even know whether the people standing next to me and reciting the Creed actually believe what I believe. It shows up with my priest, with AFR promoting "Game of Thrones",and with what some promote in our own forum. I can't hang with it, and I can't say anything in objection. I've sat on this all week, just to be sure. A few might cheer; well, that can't be helped. You can find me on FB (Though I don't usually accept new friends on FB, I might accept a few old ones from here.)

I'll probably occasionally lurk, and can receive pm's, but don't see at this time how participation can be meaningful in the face of increasing disagreement between members and the divisions I see developing everywhere.

 

[SkyWriting]

If anyone wants to keep me in your prayers...
I am a fairly isolated man, I see my few friends maybe once a month, and don't have any fellow native speakers in my town or even county, and have serious issues with depression. I've really relied on this forum, and don't feel I can do that anymore. I can't say what I think or believe to be Orthodox, and that has to do with the nature of this site. I'm dropping out, indefinitely. Maybe I'll show up specifically in the prayer thread. If the current situation is ever resolved, maybe I'll come back. I've said what I think I really have to contribute, and don't have too much to add elsewhere.
I'm not a door-slammer. But after twelve years here, I don't feel welcome anymore. It's not about most of you in TAW, a fine bunch of people. It's bigger than that. It's a general feeling that I can't rely on people and organizations that I ought to be able to rely on, that I don't even know whether the people standing next to me and reciting the Creed actually believe what I believe. It shows up with my priest, with AFR promoting "Game of Thrones",and with what some promote in our own forum. I can't hang with it, and I can't say anything in objection. I've sat on this all week, just to be sure. A few might cheer; well, that can't be helped. You can find me on FB (Though I don't usually accept new friends on FB, I might accept a few old ones from here.)

I'll probably occasionally lurk, and can receive pm's, but don't see at this time how participation can be meaningful in the face of increasing disagreement between members and the divisions I see developing everywhere.

I suggest helping others. I don't have language in common with my co-workers, but we all understand what helping out is about. Begin helping others and focusing on THEIR problems. Dump the discussion forums today. Help others in life.

 

[All4Christ]

Rus, if you go, know that you will be missed! I appreciate your voice and knowledge in the threads. Perhaps if you don’t feel like it is good to participate in regular threads, you could stick around for the fellowship threads? Either way, prayers for you and I hope you do return sometime.

Dio ti benedica...torna presta!

 

[Anhelyna]

Sorry to see you go Rus - and I echo A4C's suggestion of fellowship postings.

Be at peace

 

[~Anastasia~]

Prayers for you Rus.

I'm glad to have you as a FB friend, but you will be missed here. I'm kind of torn between sympathizing with your situation and pointing to the greater good, but I think God has the greater good in mind and will provide, one way or another, for every person who seeks. So ... I think I have more concern for you personally. I think there's a reason the Scriptures speak often of foreigners who sojourn among the people in a different country. I have only a tiny taste of that. I helped at Church yesterday for a few hours with three ladies, and one speaks no English, so the conversation was almost entirely in Greek, and I was left out of understanding much. Church provides us a type of community we can't find any other way (except maybe in our families, but not always there) ... so to have to doubt that must be very painful. I do see folks that I am sure promote the wrong kinds of thinking. I've learned enough now to recognize that sometimes. And I wish it wasn't so. But maybe there have always beeen.

Sorry. I'm rambling. I think back over the posters who were here 3, 4 years ago. So many are gone. As I said, you will be missed. But otoh, I agree that you must do what is good for you. If you can participate in fellowship, I'd be glad to see you, and hope it could benefit you. But I guess more than anything - prayers for you. I wish there was another way I could help. God be with you always.

 

[All4Christ]

Also, rus, thank you for your help over the years as I became a catechumen and began my journey to learn about the Orthodox Faith. There are so many at TAW that made a huge difference in my journey, you being one of them.

 

[~Anastasia~]

Also, rus, thank you for your help over the years as I became a catechumen and began my journey to learn about the Orthodox Faith. There are so many at TAW that made a huge difference in my journey, you being one of them.

Absolutely. I have to second this too. You were one of the ones that helped point me in the right direction. God bless you.

 

[All4Christ]

Absolutely. I have to second this too. You were one of the ones that helped point me in the right direction. God bless you.

That is one of the most important reasons for us to be here. So many people learn about Orthodoxy here; I know of many here that also gained much in their journey from people here at TAW. Many are not still here, but I am thankful for every one of you.

 

[Lukaris]

Lord, have mercy on Your servant.

 

[ArmyMatt]

sorry to hear that, rus. you are one of the good ones, and I am sorry to see you go.

prayers for you!

 

[Myychael]

If anyone wants to keep me in your prayers...
I am a fairly isolated man, I see my few friends maybe once a month, and don't have any fellow native speakers in my town or even county, and have serious issues with depression. I've really relied on this forum, and don't feel I can do that anymore. I can't say what I think or believe to be Orthodox, and that has to do with the nature of this site. I'm dropping out, indefinitely. Maybe I'll show up specifically in the prayer thread. If the current situation is ever resolved, maybe I'll come back. I've said what I think I really have to contribute, and don't have too much to add elsewhere.
I'm not a door-slammer. But after twelve years here, I don't feel welcome anymore. It's not about most of you in TAW, a fine bunch of people. It's bigger than that. It's a general feeling that I can't rely on people and organizations that I ought to be able to rely on, that I don't even know whether the people standing next to me and reciting the Creed actually believe what I believe. It shows up with my priest, with AFR promoting "Game of Thrones",and with what some promote in our own forum. I can't hang with it, and I can't say anything in objection. I've sat on this all week, just to be sure. A few might cheer; well, that can't be helped. You can find me on FB (Though I don't usually accept new friends on FB, I might accept a few old ones from here.)

I'll probably occasionally lurk, and can receive pm's, but don't see at this time how participation can be meaningful in the face of increasing disagreement between members and the divisions I see developing everywhere.

 

[Myychael]

I hope you don’t leave your Congregation your attending or here and I know I’m new here and I hope
Anything I may have commented on hasn’t disturbed you i my self am glad I dropped by here I had not
Come into contact with Eastern Orthodox Christians.I Pray right now in the name of Jesus that the
Spirit of depression will leave Rus and the Joy of the Lord will come over you and you will no that GOD
Himself has you in the palm of his hand.I don’t believe in chance Rus you have been here since 05
There must be a reason for that longevity.Phil 4:7,8,9 to you Brother

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Rus,

I hope you’ll prayerfully withdraw this thread and rethink it. I’m not loved by everyone here. I know that. My sense of humor isn’t always well-received, I tell it like it is sometimes too bluntly, and I detest liberalism, evolution, LGBT nonsense, gun control, and a host of other things. I do agree that there ARE “Orthodox” in here at times who are doppelgänger sock puppets or posers. Agree 100%. A few regularly come. Thereve been moments where I’ve felt downright insulted by some.....but I move on. Occasionally I roll my eyes.

I hate to break this to you, Rus, but ALL of us here stand around folks at our parishes who don’t grasp Orthodoxy reciting the Creed. I’ve heard not only pro-socialism, Pro-gay, and pro-abortion folks, but I’ve talked to people in my parish who refuse to fast or take communion in other denominations!!!?! Fortunately most of my fellow parishioners are conservative, traditional, vote that way, live that way. Most at my parish see the European Union and secular humanists and modernists as dangerous loons. But a few are pot-smoking oddballs in my humble opinion. I just try to politely say hi to them and move on....

No need to leave TAW; just avoid the people you find unorthodox and heretical or eccentric. That’s the best answer.

It’s funny you’re on FB, but want to leave TAW! I’m the opposite. I got so sick of the politics (mostly anti-Trump rhetoric and bloviation) and minutiae (look at me! I’m eating a steak sandwich! WHO CARES!?!) stuff, and the risks of putting myself out there that I personally deactivated my account. I’d rather be here!

I personally find your posts more helpful than you can imagine! As we’ve reminisced before, you and I started out driving each other nuts, but came to really like and appreciate one another. Your thoughts on linguistics, men like CS Lewis and GKC, and your emphasis on examining ourselves theologically with tradition and not giving in to humanists through linguistic adoption of the enemy tongue really has changed my thinking.

Your stubbornness is one of your strengths. I find the thought of you leaving depressing, sad, and unfortunate for us all. You have so much to contribute, so much to say. We love you. If you really leave, it’ll make me sick.

God bless, old friend. Reconsider!!!

 

[gzt]

May God have mercy on your soul!

 

[ZaidaBoBaida]

Awww Rus I hope you'll come back. I'll miss you.

 

[prodromos]

Also I'm kind of confused because the second amendment and socialism are not at all related to Orthodoxy. But, whatever you want your god to be.

I guess you really can't help yourself can you? Rus is hurting, and you have to make a snide jab at Gurney? Take it to PM, it has no place in this thread.

 

[prodromos]

Rush, I'll be sorry to see you go. I've always appreciated your posts, and as an Aussie who spent 12 years living in Greece, I have a bit of an appreciation of the difficulty of your circumstances. My wife is currently doing her Masters in Translating and Interpreting, so I have an appreciation of the effort behind your translation of Chesterton. If you ever get a chance to make a trip to Greece while you are living in Russia, try to arrange to stay on My Athos for a little while. There are many English speaking monks at several of the monasteries (quite a few Greek-Aussies at Vatopedi) and I know you would receive much Grace staying there.

 

[gzt]

I guess you really can't help yourself can you? Rus is hurting, and you have to make a snide jab at Gurney? Take it to PM, it has no place in this thread.

the aspects he put in were wholly inappropriate in the first place and everybody knew it.

 

[Phronema]

Rus,

As a lurker here I want to say that I appreciate your input, and I noticed when it decreased. I had hoped you'd come back to continue discussions. Thank you for all of your input and shared knowledge.

Also, I'll pray for you as best I can. I'm a terrible sinner.

 

[prodromos]

the aspects he put in were wholly inappropriate in the first place and everybody knew it.

Gurney's opinions are public knowledge in TAW. Whether you think them appropriate or not is immaterial and in no way justifies your "whatever you want your God to be" comment.