Venerating icons is optional (?)

[handmaiden64]

By the way ... except for some trusted ones, I pretty much steer clear of Orthodox blogs. Though now if I'm looking for something I've found helpful articles - but if I had an actual question, I'd say a blog isn't a safe source, because it's basically what one person says, and what one person allows as far as comments. There is no guarantee or expectation of correction or oversight.

As for social media, I know I've said before that I have over the years built up a great group of trustworthy friends on FB (as well as a few I know to be skeptical of, but I don't unfriend them). But that took years of effort. Wading into "Facebook Orthodoxy" in general, or another Orthodox forum I used to post on, can put you in touch with people who speak as though they are greatly authoritative on the subject, but then I find later they are only catechumens, and sometimes under questionable teaching. You have to be VERY CAREFUL what you accept.

I've long turned to forums for advice on repairing appliances, diagnosing sick farm animals, identifying flora and fauna, legal issues, and all kinds of questions, because AS LONG AS you know the forum includes a wide basis of knowledgeable people, who might not even have the same philosophies, you can just about bet that errors posted by one will be corrected by another. I've found TAW to generally keep that safeguard (though now as an ambassador I greatly appreciate kindness and tact in the one correcting!) ... but generally speaking you have to be VERY careful where you get advice regarding Orthodoxy online.



And by the way, I should have said right up front, I'm discussing things from kind of a theoretical point of view, but if there is some actual problem, your priest would be the one to ask. Forgive me please for not saying that first, since it was the most important thing I possibly could have said.

(And if I had more space in my sig, I would add the warning that whatever I say is open to correction too ... and if needed, I hope and trust someone more knowledgeable will offer it )

My priest has cautioned us about not getting into "internet Orthodoxy" too much. Online, I try to stick with reading blogs by various priests, but there are times when I'm researching a topic and that is when I come across videos on YouTube, Facebook chats or other sites claiming to be teaching Orthodoxy and they do seem "out there" or convincing in the points they are trying to make, which the leaves me confused. Then I go to my priest with questions to try to sort out things. Thank you for cautioning me as well

 

[~Anastasia~]

Thank you for the welcome. I have looked around the forums a fair bit and to be honest there are not many other places I want to go. One question though. Is there an area within TAW that is set up for introduction threads, or is this the place.

I'm glad you feel comfortable here.

We don't have a separate area for TAW intros. There is an "Introduce yourself" area over all CF.

TAW is the Eastern Orthodox subforum, as I'm sure you've figured out. Each area in CF does tend to have its own flavor, because different rules apply and different posters are allowed. I'm actually very thankful for the folks we have here in TAW. We may not always see eye to eye on the non-essentials (though we DO have a higher degree of unity than just about anyplace else), but people are usually good about dealing with issues. Thankfully the Church teaches us this. And while it is technically an "EO Only" area, and I'm told a few congregational forums don't even permit visitors, we are happy to welcome visitors of any sort, including non-Christians (which is not really supposed to happen per CF). We have a separate debate area, but if people are honestly seeking we tend to permit a certain degree of back and forth. We just try to keep the peace if someone seems determined to argue.

You might also like Traditional Theology as well. The rules there are that all discussion must be respectful, and while different Traditional views are allowed, we aim for discussion there and not arguing.

By contrast, some of the theology areas can get a bit rough. Some areas allow almost any sort of doctrine at all. Some forums have a very sarcastic and argumentative tone. And so on. Most people choose one or a few areas that suit them and may stay mostly or completely in these areas. We also have non-theology areas that are centered around various interests, and most are much more fellowship oriented. I guess it takes all kinds, since most of the areas see some level of activity.

But I'm very thankful for TAW myself.

 

[~Anastasia~]

My priest has cautioned us about not getting into "internet Orthodoxy" too much. Online, I try to stick with reading blogs by various priests, but there are times when I'm researching a topic and that is when I come across videos on YouTube, Facebook chats or other sites claiming to be teaching Orthodoxy and they do seem "out there" or convincing in the points they are trying to make, which the leaves me confused. Then I go to my priest with questions to try to sort out things. Thank you for cautioning me as well

That's good.

I have a few priests' blogs I'm happy to visit as well. The rest ... yes can be confusing. I do have some good channels on YouTube that offer really good videoes, but again those are generally centered on a particular parish or priest. I don't really watch anything else on YouTube, and rarely participate in FB groups (though I think I've been added to just about all of them lol).

TAW has been very helpful, and thankfully our priest is truly a gifted teacher. And whenever I have been able, I keep going through catechesis classes in our parish, since we don't use a curriculum and they are a little different each time (Father usually prepares some topics but mostly does Q&A). And I have good books to read, but since I tend to read slowly and keep re-reading them, it feels like slow going lol. But I'm extremely blessed.

And I'm glad your priest has warned you as well, and that you have easy access to bring confusing questions to him.

 

[buzuxi02]

It's virtually impossible not to venerate icons in the Church. As they play a liturgical role. Tapestries of Christ in the tomb for Good Friday and the Dormition of the Theotokos on Aug 15. Then you have processions with icons and crosses for certain services etc.

In the home maybe different of course.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Thank you for the welcome. I have looked around the forums a fair bit and to be honest there are not many other places I want to go. One question though. Is there an area within TAW that is set up for introduction threads, or is this the place.

glad to have you. I think if you look above the threads of the general forum, there are some spots that have introductionary stuff.

but, as always, feel free to ask away

 

[~Anastasia~]

glad to have you. I think if you look above the threads of the general forum, there are some spots that have introductionary stuff.

but, as always, feel free to ask away

Do you mean the Militants of TAW thread? Maybe I took it the wrong way - I always felt I was too much a latecomer to be part of that.

If I should be sending folks there, I apologize for not doing so.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Do you mean the Militants of TAW thread? Maybe I took it the wrong way - I always felt I was too much a latecomer to be part of that.

If I should be sending folks there, I apologize for not doing so.

I think so, at least up around them parts

 

[~Anastasia~]

Thank you for the welcome. I have looked around the forums a fair bit and to be honest there are not many other places I want to go. One question though. Is there an area within TAW that is set up for introduction threads, or is this the place.

glad to have you. I think if you look above the threads of the general forum, there are some spots that have introductionary stuff.

but, as always, feel free to ask away

I stand corrected. The Greeting thread has disappeared, but a good place to post an intro might be Militants of TAW starting January 2006 (Introduction Thread) - it's use has changed over the years.

I hope that's the best place.