- Jan 12, 2007
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So, with all the polemical, argumentative, invasive and pretty much hostile posting lately, I would like everyone's attention to consider a few things (yes, the arguing Roman Catholics are included in this as well - you know who you are)
We are not perfect. We're human, we sin, we kinda suck. We attempt to be better via the tools which the Lord and the Church have given us. Things like repentance, Confession, prayer, and feasts that are awesome to celebrate. All things considered, we've not all been good to each other the last few weeks. Sure, there was a fast of some kind; I'm not sure which one since I'm a bit off my liturgical calendar this month (I think the Old Calendar is still on it?), but that is hardly an excuse.
It seems to me, that maybe subconsciously we're allowing the problems in the world to manifest themselves here. Three horrible shootings in the last two days (Lord have mercy!) resulting in the deaths of, last I counted seven souls (memory eternal), in horrific ways. There is a religious war going on, the devastation of which has not been seen in the Middle East since Tamerlane killed roughly 80% of the the Christian population from Iraq to China, most of whom were members of the Assyrian Churches.
And yet here we are. Most of us mostly comfortable and secure in a Western country where we have the freedom not only to worship in peace, but also to be picky about which parish. Sometimes, believe me, we don't even get that choice.
I guess what I'm getting at here, is that considering all the outright evil in the world which one would rather be upset about, what has happened to TAW? I've been a member of this forum almost as long as I've been Orthodox having joined it in 2006 as a sixteen year-old recently-converted teenager looking for fellow Orthodox Christians to talk to and socialize with since my part of Washington state was not in large supply outside of my parish at the time, and still isn't. Yet, the last few weeks have been the first time in eight years since this site went through a secular phase back in 2007/08 when I legitimately sat down and asked myself, "why do I still post here"?
If it was not for our prodigal son Justin's appearance I probably would have simply logged off one day and never returned. If it wasn't for an ex-Orthodox poster who has reappeared here again and again with a new screen name each time than I would have disappeared. The Orthodox community of Christian forums used to actually attract converts and was know for its level-headedness, articulation of the Faith and unending patience. Most of that did not apply for the last few weeks. I also decided to stay, because I remembered a quote from Edmund Burke, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
So, I guess all that I'm really saying is that we need the spirit of The Ancient Way, which we were known for, to return. It has lost its strength for some time and seems to have disappeared. I know what I will do on my end to do better. Please, the rest of you, find a way. If it means saying a quick Our Father upon logging on, I don't care, just, please, find a way to do better here.
In the mean time, for our Christian brothers and sisters in the Middle East who are suffering under the so-called "Islamic State", I'd like to share the Arabic version of "Rejoice O Unwedded Bride".
For dzheremi, our Coptic brother whose presence is always appreciated, I'd like to share the Armenian video linked in his signature:
For our Roman Catholic guests that got a bit nasty in our home, a reminder to relax with the "Sister Act" version of "Hail Holy Queen" (look on Dame Maggie Smith's face is priceless!)
For everyone else needing a reminder on how to have a religious sense of humor, Monty Python:
Thank you, have a pleasant day, and God be with you.
We are not perfect. We're human, we sin, we kinda suck. We attempt to be better via the tools which the Lord and the Church have given us. Things like repentance, Confession, prayer, and feasts that are awesome to celebrate. All things considered, we've not all been good to each other the last few weeks. Sure, there was a fast of some kind; I'm not sure which one since I'm a bit off my liturgical calendar this month (I think the Old Calendar is still on it?), but that is hardly an excuse.
It seems to me, that maybe subconsciously we're allowing the problems in the world to manifest themselves here. Three horrible shootings in the last two days (Lord have mercy!) resulting in the deaths of, last I counted seven souls (memory eternal), in horrific ways. There is a religious war going on, the devastation of which has not been seen in the Middle East since Tamerlane killed roughly 80% of the the Christian population from Iraq to China, most of whom were members of the Assyrian Churches.
And yet here we are. Most of us mostly comfortable and secure in a Western country where we have the freedom not only to worship in peace, but also to be picky about which parish. Sometimes, believe me, we don't even get that choice.
I guess what I'm getting at here, is that considering all the outright evil in the world which one would rather be upset about, what has happened to TAW? I've been a member of this forum almost as long as I've been Orthodox having joined it in 2006 as a sixteen year-old recently-converted teenager looking for fellow Orthodox Christians to talk to and socialize with since my part of Washington state was not in large supply outside of my parish at the time, and still isn't. Yet, the last few weeks have been the first time in eight years since this site went through a secular phase back in 2007/08 when I legitimately sat down and asked myself, "why do I still post here"?
If it was not for our prodigal son Justin's appearance I probably would have simply logged off one day and never returned. If it wasn't for an ex-Orthodox poster who has reappeared here again and again with a new screen name each time than I would have disappeared. The Orthodox community of Christian forums used to actually attract converts and was know for its level-headedness, articulation of the Faith and unending patience. Most of that did not apply for the last few weeks. I also decided to stay, because I remembered a quote from Edmund Burke, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
So, I guess all that I'm really saying is that we need the spirit of The Ancient Way, which we were known for, to return. It has lost its strength for some time and seems to have disappeared. I know what I will do on my end to do better. Please, the rest of you, find a way. If it means saying a quick Our Father upon logging on, I don't care, just, please, find a way to do better here.
In the mean time, for our Christian brothers and sisters in the Middle East who are suffering under the so-called "Islamic State", I'd like to share the Arabic version of "Rejoice O Unwedded Bride".
For dzheremi, our Coptic brother whose presence is always appreciated, I'd like to share the Armenian video linked in his signature:
For our Roman Catholic guests that got a bit nasty in our home, a reminder to relax with the "Sister Act" version of "Hail Holy Queen" (look on Dame Maggie Smith's face is priceless!)
For everyone else needing a reminder on how to have a religious sense of humor, Monty Python:
Thank you, have a pleasant day, and God be with you.