Is this worth fighting for?

[Matthias]

Hi there,

I've spent about 99.9% of my time at CF in the forum for teens/youth. When they ask me about the Orthodox Church, I tell them. However they disagree with everything I say, giving false claims such as the Russian Orthodox Church hate America, hate non-Orthdox, etc.

It seems whatever I say about Orthodoxy is mocked and rubbish and thrown back in my face as lies; giving passages from the Bible which they "claim" show the falseness of Orthodoxy theology and traditions; such as links back to the Church of Rome created by Peter, etc.

I just don't know whether to keep debating with these people and working myself up; or just letting them believe what they believe? I think Andreas and myself are the only teens there; and being that I'm there much, much more than Andreas means I don't have a lot of people to back me up.

I have so much fun posting there, but this just seems to keep getting on my nerves and upsetting me. Should I let them believe what they want, or keep debating with them on what Orthodoxy REALLY is? Sometimes I could clench my fists and just scream over their lies and false claims...

You are all so helpful to me, especially you Chanter, and I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.

Take care, everyone,

Matthew.

 

[Orthodox Andrew]

Only do it if you feel you can handle the stress of arguing with people. That's the reason why I don't really go anywhere on this site that is not Orthodox or Catholic. I'm just not interested in falsehoods being thrown at me. I'm just happy to keep my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Orthodox Church, and if people think that's wrong, then so be it. We will all know who was right and who was wrong when this life has come to an end.

 

[Photini]

Matthias,

It is more important for us to keep our hearts at peace and calm, especially us young 'uns still so full of passions. Anything you say when you're irritated or annoyed is probably going to come off wrong...I've learned this the hard way. Pray for them, that God would enlighten them and soften their hearts to Him, and you'll be doing so much more for them than you can realise. As Orthodox Christians we have a great responsibility and very heavy, because to those who have been given much, also much will be required. (Luke 12:48) You wouldn't want something you say out of annoyance to drive them even further from Orthodoxy, or perhaps to shun it altogether. "We are responsible for the peacefulness of others." --as my sig says,.

Take care, and remember me in your prayers.

 

[nicodemus]

Matthias,

Overall, I would say probably not. Most people that log onto message boards aren't into serious discussion. They just want to shout their opinions from the rooftop. Unfortunately this often true on Christian boards as well. I would venture a guess that most people on these boards are American. Americans, in general tend to have a less complete view of history, primarily due to our short history (only a nation for a little over 200 years) and our geographic isolation. Obviously, the Orthodox don't hate America, they've been ministering on this continent for over 200 years and the US has traditionally be an ally to traditioinally Orthodox countries. Most people that spew such unsubstantiated generalizations aren't going to be brought around on a message board. It is possible, but unlikely.

There are two things that spring to mind immediately:

"I have often repented of having spoken, but never of having kept silent" - St. Arsenios the Great

and

[font=Arial, Helvetica]"I beseech you, put this to the test. When a man affronts you or brings dishonor on your head, or takes what is yours, or persecutes the Church, pray to the Lord, saying: "O Lord, we are all Thy creatures. Have pity on Thy servants and turn their hearts to repentance," and you will be aware of grace in your soul. To begin with, constrain your heart to love enemies, and the Lord, seeing your good will, will help you in all things, and experience itself will shoe you the way. But the man who thinks with malice of his enemies has not God's love within him, and does not know God.

[font=Arial, Helvetica]If you will pray for your enemies, peace will come to you; but when you can love your enemies - know that a great measure of the grace of God dwells in you, though I do not say perfect grace as yet, but sufficient for salvation. Whereas if you revile your enemies, it means there is an evil spirit living in you and bringing evil thoughts into your heart, for, in the words of the Lord, out of the heart proceed evil thoughts - or good thoughts.[/font]​

[font=Arial, Helvetica]The good man thinks to himself in this wise: Every one who has strayed from the truth brings destruction on himself and is therefore to be pitied. But of course the man who has not learned the love of the Holy Spirit will not pray for his enemies. The man who has learned love from the Holy Spirit sorrows all his life over those who are not saved, and sheds abundant tears for the people, and the grace of God gives him strength to love his enemies." - St. Silouan the Athonite[/font]​

[/font]

 

[Philip]

Matthias,

Is this happening at CF?

 

[Matthias]

Yep, it is, unfortunately. Thanks for your responses, by the way.

 

[Maximus]

If debating the other teens is making you angry, then it is not worth it. Let it go. Perhaps you could recommend a couple of books to them.

Nicodemus -

I love that quote by St. Arsenios the Great you provided!

Here it is again:

"I have often repented of having spoken, but never of having kept silent" - St. Arsenios the Great

Amen!

 

[Alfred M]

I've been away a few days and just read this thread started by Mathias.
I would agree with Photini wholeheartedly. I think she answered this quite well.

There was the man who had searched all his life for pearls, and I take this to mean he knew a lot about pearls to begin with, and one day he found a pearl he knew to be the most precious, beautiful pearl of all he had ever seen. He ran and sold all that he had to purchase this pearl. For he knew this pearl's worth to be more valuable than everything he owned put together. This was his pearl of great price.

But you have to also realize, that this man was searching to begin with. He was not satisfied with the many pearls he already owned or had seen. He knew the one great pearl was yet out there. Much is the same with many who are posters on other Christian forums. They are already satisfied and are no longer searching. They are content within their "truths" and anything that challenges their truth must be an aberration of God's word. Sola scriptura becomes their foundation.

They miss so much by quitting their search. Even within Orthodoxy you must keep your "search" going for we all have a journey before us. And you do not go far with your eyes closed. We all have much to learn even within Orthodoxy to make our trips successful.

Hang in there Matthew, but realize there are those with seemingly open ears, but their eyes are closed.

In the love of our saviour,

Alfred

 

[Reader Nilus]

It would seem to me if someone asks a question about Orthodoxy and then attacks it like the Matthias said, then it would seem to me the attackers are flaming Matthias, and are breaking the rules of Christian Forums.
Jeff the Finn

 

[Mathaytace_Christou]

It would seem to me if someone asks a question about Orthodoxy and then attacks it like the Matthias said, then it would seem to me the attackers are flaming Matthias, and are breaking the rules of Christian Forums.
Jeff the Finn

I am a Teen!

You have another friend on there!

(Well I should go post)