Why should I be Orthodox instead of Catholic?

[pdudgeon]

I think you should be Orthodox for the sake of your heart.

i agree with this ^^^.

If he is being called to Orthodoxy, i really can't understand why anyone here would deliberately want to stand in his way and suggest that he delay or re-think his decision.

What kind of a message does that send to others who are not already Orthodox?

I've taken off my previous post voluntarily, as i can see that my thoughts on the matter are not in accordance with the thoughts of the forum. But this one i will leave up, in the hopes that someone here will think twice during this Lenten season about the reception and support that is apparently lacking towards those who are not yet Orthodox.

and now i will bother you no more.

 

[~Anastasia~]

i agree with this ^^^.

If he is being called to Orthodoxy, i really can't understand why anyone here would deliberately want to stand in his way and suggest that he delay or re-think his decision.

What kind of a message does that send to others who are not already Orthodox?

I've taken off my previous post voluntarily, as i can see that my thoughts on the matter are not in accordance with the thoughts of the forum. But this one i will leave up, in the hopes that someone here will think twice during this Lenten season about the reception and support that is apparently lacking towards those who are not yet Orthodox.

and now i will bother you no more.

I think you may have misunderstood the situation. He has been attending catechesis in the Catholic Church, is approaching confirmation, and is NOW interested in Orthodoxy. No one is telling him to become or not become Catholic or Orthodox, but I think all the comments were basically saying not to rush into confirmation (in the Catholic Church) while he has doubts of where he belongs.

This seems to have been misunderstood, or maybe I'm missing something. But I think everyone has the young man's best interest at heart and has given sound advice in suggesting he remove doubts before committing.

For anyone who might be reading and not realize it, becoming a member of the Catholic or Orthodox Church is a deeper commitment than joining a Baptist or Methodist or similar denomination, where one may make multiple changes. Priests generally want to make sure a person is comfortable and committed before proceeding, for the person's own good. We're not just looking for numbers. Priests don't try to convert people as a rule. They only help those who are interested.

If anyone feels put off when looking into Orthodoxy because they aren't allowed to join immediately, it's really their own good the priests are looking after. It is not a thing to be done casually.

I hope my post doesn't seem offensive in any way. I'm just surprised that what I think has been thoughtful and wise advice seems to causing controversy.

Peace.

 

[prodromos]

Also. if anyone wants to see my post over at catholic answers, to see what their responses are and offer rebuttals, here is the link. I have to seperate .com, because it wont let me post links

forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=946950

FWIW, your thread over on CA seems to have vanished. Par for the course at that particular forum.

 

[yesyoushould]

You should be both or none. God is one.

 

[Leevo]

FWIW, your thread over on CA seems to have vanished. Par for the course at that particular forum.

Yea, I didn't receive any reason for it. I just went to check it tonight and it was just gone. No reason at all give...

 

[aChildOfMary]

Yea, I didn't receive any reason for it. I just went to check it tonight and it was just gone. No reason at all give...

Yup that's CAF for you right there
Well it could've been worse, they banned me.

 

[Jaelyn Liza]

I have read the thread, and my opinion is that first of all, you should trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding. Don't look for advantages or disadvantages of either of the churches, but rather, ask God for His holy will and honor Him. You are His child! He wants only the best for you. Remember, He has a plan for you, a plan to prosper you and not to harm you. Seek His heart, and may the Holy Spirit lead and guide you. You are in my prayers.

 

[aChildOfMary]

I have read the thread, and my opinion is that first of all, you should trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding. Don't look for advantages or disadvantages of either of the churches, but rather, ask God for His holy will and honor Him. You are His child! He wants only the best for you. Remember, He has a plan for you, a plan to prosper you and not to harm you. Seek His heart, and may the Holy Spirit lead and guide you. You are in my prayers.

first and foremost I'd like to stress how compassionate your post comes of and for that sentiment I'm sure the OP will be happy secondly however you seem to imply that truth is relative which if you don't know are conterary to what both Orthodox and we believe in.

While contradicting Catholicism is ok for you to do here since its not our subforum I would really like for you not to speak against Orthodoxy here.
again I'm sure that you didnt intended to come of as you did, but ultimately that how at least I read your post.

As for your suggesting prayers to God about this choice I think it's very insightful of you and that your absolutely right.

The reason why theology matters as much as we stress is because if he choose to ignore any theological issues now they WILL bounce back into the light somewhere down the road and then it will be very challenging to trouble oneself with.

As Anhelyna said previously in this thread, This is not like choosing between Baptists and Methodists this is more like deciding to get married.
This is or at least should be a once in a lifetime choice.

So one should really compare the two churches theologically and liturgically and after a lot of consideration and prayer one should choose one and stick with it.
Again you don't get married without some serious consideration Beforehand.


Pax Christi
aChildOfMary

 

[ArmyMatt]

You should be both or none. God is one.

you cannot be both. it's one or the other, or none. both those in the Roman communion and us in the Orthodox Church believe the other has some heresy to work out.

 

[Leevo]

I went ahead with the Rites the past 2 days, because I felt I should, however, I am not sure that I will actually go through with confirmation or not. I feel that I have more time now. I don't know... Any thoughts?

 

[ArmyMatt]

I went ahead with the Rites the past 2 days, because I felt I should, however, I am not sure that I will actually go through with confirmation or not. I feel that I have more time now. I don't know... Any thoughts?

ask your local priest, he will help you with something like this.

 

[gzt]

You say you don't know. There's no hurry about any of this.

 

[pdudgeon]

I think you may have misunderstood the situation. He has been attending catechesis in the Catholic Church, is approaching confirmation, and is NOW interested in Orthodoxy. No one is telling him to become or not become Catholic or Orthodox, but I think all the comments were basically saying not to rush into confirmation (in the Catholic Church) while he has doubts of where he belongs.

This seems to have been misunderstood, or maybe I'm missing something. But I think everyone has the young man's best interest at heart and has given sound advice in suggesting he remove doubts before committing.

For anyone who might be reading and not realize it, becoming a member of the Catholic or Orthodox Church is a deeper commitment than joining a Baptist or Methodist or similar denomination, where one may make multiple changes. Priests generally want to make sure a person is comfortable and committed before proceeding, for the person's own good. We're not just looking for numbers. Priests don't try to convert people as a rule. They only help those who are interested.

If anyone feels put off when looking into Orthodoxy because they aren't allowed to join immediately, it's really their own good the priests are looking after. It is not a thing to be done casually.

I hope my post doesn't seem offensive in any way. I'm just surprised that what I think has been thoughtful and wise advice seems to causing controversy.

Peace.

no, what struck me was the seeming lack of an Orthodox welcome for the OP.

as for the rest of your post, it is easily understood and forgiven once one understands that people aren't the only ones who move--churches do too.
And when that happens, it is the previously committed people who are often the ones left behind. Such is life.

Thankfully for them it is possible to 'backtrack' as it were to an earlier time, and to a church whose foundations are stronger; one that doesn't shift with the sands of time or opinion, but stands rooted firmly in the bedrock.

and now hopefully i will leave you in peace.

 

[GregConstantine]

"You should be both or none. God is one."

Armymatt is right, you cannot be both.

You are right that God is one, so is His Church.

 

[~Anastasia~]

no, what struck me was the seeming lack of an Orthodox welcome for the OP.

as for the rest of your post, it is easily understood and forgiven once one understands that people aren't the only ones who move--churches do too.
And when that happens, it is the previously committed people who are often the ones left behind. Such is life.

Thankfully for them it is possible to 'backtrack' as it were to an earlier time, and to a church whose foundations are stronger; one that doesn't shift with the sands of time or opinion, but stands rooted firmly in the bedrock.

and now hopefully i will leave you in peace.

Hmmmmmm.

Well, I do hope the OP felt welcomed enough. It's true that many jumped into addressing his concerns, but he did get some welcomes as well.

I'm afraid I don't have the context for the rest of your post.

(I actually had a much-beloved seminary and church pick up and move locations and I was unable to follow, but I don't think that's what you mean. )

Or perhaps I DO know what you mean, since when I returned to this area, all of the churches I had previously loved had turned into something else, leaving me to search not only for a new church, but a new kind of church.

Thankfully the Orthodox Church was there for me, and thankfully God led me there.

But otherwise I am not sure how your post might relate. I just hope the air is clear and there are no hard feelings or misunderstandings. Let me know if I can help, or please forgive me if I've offended.

God bless you!

 

[pdudgeon]

Hmmmmmm.

Well, I do hope the OP felt welcomed enough. It's true that many jumped into addressing his concerns, but he did get some welcomes as well.

I'm afraid I don't have the context for the rest of your post.

(I actually had a much-beloved seminary and church pick up and move locations and I was unable to follow, but I don't think that's what you mean. )

Or perhaps I DO know what you mean, since when I returned to this area, all of the churches I had previously loved had turned into something else, leaving me to search not only for a new church, but a new kind of church.

Thankfully the Orthodox Church was there for me, and thankfully God led me there.

But otherwise I am not sure how your post might relate. I just hope the air is clear and there are no hard feelings or misunderstandings. Let me know if I can help, or please forgive me if I've offended.

God bless you!

no problem. by a church moving i was more referring to a change in theology, such as what the Episcopal and Methodist churches have recently gone through.

Case in point, i was raised from the cradle as a Methodist, but when the church shifted towards ordaining women and welcoming openly gay members, I then "backtracked" to the roots of Methodism--and joined the Episcopal church.

Years later when the Episcopal Church followed suit by also ordaining women priests and welcoming gay parishioners, I was once again 'left behind" theologically.

And so, once again I am "backtracking" and will be taking RCIA in the Fall to join the Catholic church.

(how all this ^^ relates)
what i saw in the OP was some of the same feelings; that of recognizing and being drawn to the 'bedrock' of the Orthodox church.

that's all.
and thanks for your forbearance.

 

[~Anastasia~]

Thanks for clearing that up.

I think the Orthodox Church has more than a few converts due to just that kind of situation. The young man who went through at the same time as I did was there for similar reasons as you cite.

God bless you!

 

[ArmyMatt]

"You should be both or none. God is one."

Armymatt is right, you cannot be both.

You are right that God is one, so is His Church.

yep, the Bible says that One God has only one Body and one Bride.