Differences between Orthodox and Roman Catholicism 2.0

[Rilian]

The differences outlined in the thread may or may not be important to most people. Personally speaking, the theology of the church isn't something just written in a book, it is what shapes and is given life principally in the liturgy. The liturgy to me is probably the highest and most tangible expression of what the church believes.

I've been to probably five different Catholic churches in the last ten years. A few were beautiful older inner city basilicas and the rest were suburban monstrosities with interiors so bare and stripped of ornamentation that they would put a Calvinist church to shame. The experience however was uniformly negative. Doxologies were skipped, dismissals altered, the music was terrible (a guitar and piano combo particularly comes to mind), the homilies were abyssmal, and so on and so on. Overall the whole thing felt hurried and in every case there was a mad rush to hit the door and get out when the mass was over. Now, this was of course just my personal experience in a small number of churches, but I've heard the same things from other people.

Put aside papal infallibility, the immaculate conception and all the rest, it is the liturgy that is the most important difference to me. Looking back I think that as I began to see the deficiencies in my Protestant background it was probably this experience with the mass that made me never seriously consider conversion to Catholicism more than anything else.

 

[Michael G]

The differences outlined in the thread may or may not be important to most people. Personally speaking, the theology of the church isn't something just written in a book, it is what shapes and is given life principally in the liturgy. The liturgy to me is probably the highest and most tangible expression of what the church believes.

I've been to probably five different Catholic churches in the last ten years. A few were beautiful older inner city basilicas and the rest were suburban monstrosities with interiors so bare and stripped of ornamentation that they would put a Calvinist church to shame. The experience however was uniformly negative. Doxologies were skipped, dismissals altered, the music was terrible (a guitar and piano combo particularly comes to mind), the homilies were abyssmal, and so on and so on. Overall the whole thing felt hurried and in every case there was a mad rush to hit the door and get out when the mass was over. Now, this was of course just my personal experience in a small number of churches, but I've heard the same things from other people.

Put aside papal infallibility, the immaculate conception and all the rest, it is the liturgy that is the most important difference to me. Looking back I think that as I began to see the deficiencies in my Protestant background it was probably this experience with the mass that made me never seriously consider conversion to Catholicism more than anything else.

I could not have said this better myself! Maybe you read part I and the as yet unposted part II of my conversion story?

 

[TSIBHOD]

Thanks for making this, Bruncvik. I found it quite interesting and educational.

My question is: are we going to get a 3.0? And could this thread be made a sticky?

 

[Oblio]

Thanks for making this, Bruncvik. I found it quite interesting and educational.

My question is: are we going to get a 3.0? And could this thread be made a sticky?

Once we are in one accord with the contents, I think we can stick the results and lock it.

I would imagine that will be around v. 7.0

 

[Moros]

4.0 coming soon

 

[SumTinWong]

Very interesting Bruncvik! thank you for typing all that up!

 

[Photini]

The differences outlined in the thread may or may not be important to most people. Personally speaking, the theology of the church isn't something just written in a book, it is what shapes and is given life principally in the liturgy. The liturgy to me is probably the highest and most tangible expression of what the church believes.

Amen. And this is why I think i have such a problem with the infinitely quoted CCC.

Have you ever read the book Hymn of Entry by Archimandrite Vasileios? I LOVE THAT BOOK! Hands down, it is probably one of the best books I've read, but a forewarning....it's a lot to chew on in very few pages.

Here's an excerpt that I was reminded of when I read your post:

"Cast everything into the fire of the Divine Liturgy to be tested. What remains will contain everything in a dynamic way that cannot be touched by corruption: 'to everyone who has will more be given; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away' (Luke 19:26). The Divine Liturgy baptizes man, nature and time with fire and the Holy Spirit. And what emerge are saints, paradise and eternity. These things are tried naked in the red heat of a prolonged Pentecost and yet are refreshed by it. One thing concerns us: that God may do what He wishes, that His will may be done. This is paradise without end for man."