Can I ask this?

[Veritas]

I don't want to stir up a hornet's nest, but this question has been banging around in my pretty little head for a while.

Do the Orthodox "fly under the radar" so to speak in these forums (or other's for that matter) as opposed to Catholics who bear the brunt of "anti" sentiments? It just seems to me that based on the reception or reponse of Protestants, that even though Catholics and Orthodox vary little on most doctrinal issues, you'll generally read anti-Catholic bias but not anti-Orthodox. I also find that Protestants will warm up to Orthodox views but dismiss Catholic one's out-of-hand just because they are Catholic. Notice I'm not attacking any group here, just looking for similar experiences.

 

[Xpycoctomos]

It's one of the perks of being a "best kept secret"

But we get them once people figure out that we aren't Jewish and we have pictures, smoke and other "catholicky stuff". hahaha

 

[Maximus]

I don't want to stir up a hornet's nest, but this question has been banging around in my pretty little head for a while.

Do the Orthodox "fly under the radar" so to speak in these forums (or other's for that matter) as opposed to Catholics who bear the brunt of "anti" sentiments? It just seems to me that based on the reception or reponse of Protestants, that even though Catholics and Orthodox vary little on most doctrinal issues, you'll generally read anti-Catholic bias but not anti-Orthodox. I also find that Protestants will warm up to Orthodox views but dismiss Catholic one's out-of-hand just because they are Catholic. Notice I'm not attacking any group here, just looking for similar experiences.

I think what you've observed is exactly accurate. As a former Protestant, I can say that I was much more open to Eastern Orthodoxy than I was to Catholicism. I had to come to the Catholic Church by way of Eastern Orthodoxy because I was just too prejudiced to listen to Catholics, and my own grandmother and my dad's sisters were Catholics! I know there are many more Protestants even more anti-Catholic than I was.

Once you've heard the Catholic Church referred to as "the Great harlot" and the Pope as "the Antichrist" a few zillion times, it kind of clouds your judgment!

And I know this will upset some people, but Pope John Paul II definitely did not help things in 1999 when he kissed the Koran in public (big mistake). Asissi I and II also made the Catholic Church look pretty bad.

Protestants are always searching for the first-century Church. The air of antiquity about Orthodoxy is therefore tremendously attractive to them. The Catholic Church's fascination with things contemporary and trendy also makes it suspect in the eyes of those searching for the authentic New Testament experience and faith. That is one reason why the Protestantization of the liturgy that has occurred in the Catholic Church since Vatican II is definitely NOT a good thing.

 

[Michelina]

Of course, the premise of your OP is correct, Veri.

All the responses are on the money too. I would just add:

It comes with the territory.
Our Lord warned us that 'what they have done to me, they will do to you'.

 

[jukesk9]

I think Maximus and X have said it well. X said Orthodoxy is a secret. Well, to the vast majority of Protestants in the United States, it is. On That Other Board, I asked one day what they felt about the Orthodox. Several responses had no idea what I meant. I posted that they too honored the Angels and Saints and believed in the Real Presence of Christ. My guess that they didn't know about the Orthodox is probably because they aren't as visible in world affairs as the Vatican is. The Orthodox Church didn't have the influence Rome once had. The Pope is a very public figure, along with being the "Anti-Christ" and the Vatican being "The harlot."

The Pope sits in a chair with an upside down cross. Goodness! See he is the anti-Christ. The Metropolitan Sees (right title?) don't because they don't see themselves as the Heir to Chair of Peter. Peter was crucified upside down, hence the upside down cross. It's certain Protestants who have made the upside down cross a symbol of Satan. If they knew their history, they'd know that an upside crucifix is what satanists in the Middle Ages used to show disrespect.

And as far as the kissing the Koran business, I'm not convinced that he is kissing the Koran. Anyway, he could've been kissing a Muslim child and anti-Catholics would've thrown that out of proportion.

 

[Markh]

I imagine that these protestants would probably if they knew about Orthodoxy, would claim that it is "part of the Catholic Church" and because the Pope was once a key member of, the Orthodox Church too is part of the harlot of Babylon.

 

[Xpycoctomos]

.

 

[Dust and Ashes]

I also find that Protestants will warm up to Orthodox views but dismiss Catholic one's out-of-hand just because they are Catholic. Notice I'm not attacking any group here, just looking for similar experiences.

That has been my experience as well. Since converting to Orthodoxy, my wife and I have experienced quite a bit of persecution from family and friends who group Orthodoxy and Catholicism together.

My mother in law sent my wife an ugly email threatening to disown her and that she would not be welcome at family gatherings, etc, etc. Her mom was raised in northern Indiana as a Mennonite around a lot of Amish so shunning is a common practice.

My best friend's wife told me that I was damning my soul to hell and dragging my wife with me. It makes me sick how prejudiced people are against Catholics and they don't even know why.

 

[ProCommunioneFacior]

And as far as the kissing the Koran business, I'm not convinced that he is kissing the Koran. Anyway, he could've been kissing a Muslim child and anti-Catholics would've thrown that out of proportion.

I am not sure if it was the Koran that he was kissing either, but if it was I think the reason why he did it was to show his appreciation for the gift, which is a Middle East custom. I don't think he was in anyway acknowledging the contents of the Koran.

But, it doesn't matter, this Pope has been such a gift to the Church, that the enemies are looking for anything that they can attack, and they take things out of context and proportion in doing so.

 

[Xpycoctomos]

My mother in law sent my wife an ugly email threatening to disown her and that she would not be welcome at family gatherings, etc, etc.

Even if my kid became buddhist I would never do this! Man. How is this going to convince anyone of anything?

 

[Carlos Vigil]

I don't want to stir up a hornet's nest, but this question has been banging around in my pretty little head for a while


Do the Orthodox "fly under the radar" so to speak in these forums (or other's for that matter) as opposed to Catholics who bear the brunt of "anti" sentiments? It just seems to me that based on the reception or reponse of Protestants, that even though Catholics and Orthodox vary little on most doctrinal issues, you'll generally read anti-Catholic bias but not anti-Orthodox. I also find that Protestants will warm up to Orthodox views but dismiss Catholic one's out-of-hand just because they are Catholic. Notice I'm not attacking any group here, just looking for similar experiences.

Hi Kim,
I agree about the hornet's nest...and that "banging noise in your pretty little head."

I think it is quite "safe" to study Catholicism...Of any kind,
but if you get serious about it, to the point of "loosing your life for Christ's sake and for the Gospel's sake...

you are crossing a major line in the sand.

That is when St.Paul's words come in handy...
"Anyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus can expect to be persecuted." 2Tim3:12

and ...
back when there were decent people among the democrats, Harry Truman used to say;
"If you can't stand the heat...get out of the kitchen."


so many want a safe, comfortable christianity, so they (we) "leave the kitchen".

This probably does not apply to the theme of your thread, but it was just a thought "banging around in my ---- head"

God Bless you
and your stirring stick,

Carlos

 

[Maximus]

I am not sure if it was the Koran that he was kissing either, but if it was I think the reason why he did it was to show his appreciation for the gift, which is a Middle East custom. I don't think he was in anyway acknowledging the contents of the Koran.

But, it doesn't matter, this Pope has been such a gift to the Church, that the enemies are looking for anything that they can attack, and they take things out of context and proportion in doing so.

I wish I could believe he didn't kiss the Koran either, but I looked into it . . . and he did. And there's really no excuse for it. It was the wrong thing to do and a scandal.

We should not confuse our reverence for the office of Peter's Successor with absolute blind aquiescence in all the actions of any one particular occupant of that office. History should teach us the unwisdom of doing that.

Popes are not impeccable. They are men and make mistakes.

In much the same way, the Church is Christ's spotless Bride, yet on earth she is composed of very flawed human beings who sin continuously.

The Bishop of Rome is St. Peter's Successor, Head of the Church on earth, and infallible in matters of faith and morals when he speaks ex cathedra. But he is also merely a sinner, a man who must, like the rest of us, have recourse to the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Not everything he does is always right.

 

[Xpycoctomos]

.

 

[Veritas]

That has been my experience as well. Since converting to Orthodoxy, my wife and I have experienced quite a bit of persecution from family and friends who group Orthodoxy and Catholicism together.

My mother in law sent my wife an ugly email threatening to disown her and that she would not be welcome at family gatherings, etc, etc. Her mom was raised in northern Indiana as a Mennonite around a lot of Amish so shunning is a common practice.

My best friend's wife told me that I was damning my soul to hell and dragging my wife with me. It makes me sick how prejudiced people are against Catholics and they don't even know why.

I'm sorry to hear about the persecution you have experienced, but I find it amusing that you have been persecuted because your relatives lumped you in with Catholics. In the end, I guess it really wouldn't matter since there is very little dividing us and much more that separates you from them. This is so tragic.

 

[ProCommunioneFacior]

I wish I could believe he didn't kiss the Koran either, but I looked into it . . . and he did. And there's really no excuse for it. It was the wrong thing to do and a scandal.

We should not confuse our reverence for the office of Peter's Successor with absolute blind aquiescence in all the actions of any one particular occupant of that office. History should teach us the unwisdom of doing that.

Popes are not impeccable. They are men and make mistakes.

In much the same way, the Church is Christ's spotless Bride, yet on earth she is composed of very flawed human beings who sin continuously.

The Bishop of Rome is St. Peter's Successor, Head of the Church on earth, and infallible in matters of faith and morals when he speaks ex cathedra. But he is also merely a sinner, a man who must, like the rest of us, have recourse to the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Not everything he does is always right.

So can you tell me what his intent was in kissing the Koran? Was he giving credence to what was taught in the Koran? Has anything else he has said given credence to the Koran?

Was it a mistake? Maybe. Should he be persecuted over and over again, for one action? Absolutely not.

Frankly I am sick and tired of hearing about it. It is no way serious or consequential. It was one little action of which if one knows the teachings of the Holy Father would not give it the time of day.

If all people can find to complain about is an inconsequential action such as this, then the Pope has done a great job.

How long ago did this happen?

 

[ProCommunioneFacior]

I wish I could believe he didn't kiss the Koran either, but I looked into it . . . and he did. And there's really no excuse for it. It was the wrong thing to do and a scandal.

How was it a scandal?

 

[Carlos Vigil]

I wish I could believe he didn't kiss the Koran either, but I looked into it . . . and he did. And there's really no excuse for it. It was the wrong thing to do and a scandal.

I do not see anything wrong at all with our Pope kissing the Koran ,...anymore than Jesus "kissing" Matthew's home with His presence, in the midst of tax collectors and sinners.
Mt.9:11..."The Pharisees saw this and complained to his disciples."

Knowing our Pope's Humble and Gentle Spirit, I would say;
When he kissed the Koran...knowing it is their HIGHEST STANDARD...His kiss was a Prayer, asking God to RAISE THEIR STANDARD...
up a notch or seven.

Beside that,
If you or I had to carry HIS CROSS...we would colapse and remain comatose the rest of our life.


Carlos

 

[KennySe]

I hope the Pope NEVER eats with tax collectors.
He'd never hear the end of it.

 

[Carlos Vigil]

I hope the Pope NEVER eats with tax collectors.
He'd never hear the end of it.

LOL !

 

[Michelina]

I hope the Pope NEVER eats with tax collectors. He'd never hear the end of it.

You must spread some
Reputation around before
giving it to KennySe again.​