Are Catholics afraid of Eastern Orthodox?

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Peter_J

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This is just an idea that occurred to me, so I apologize that if it isn’t entirely thought-out.

It seems pretty clear that a lot of Latin Catholics go to Eastern Catholics with questions about the Orthodox, right? (I won’t list threads, but there are definitely a lot of threads here that start out with a question about Orthodoxy.) And I think it is also clear that at least *part *of the reason for this phenomenon is that many ECs know quite a lot about Orthodoxy (I know that’s certainly true of a number of ECs that I know). But I’m wondering if there’s also another reason: namely, are we Catholics “afraid” to talk with Eastern Orthodox? Do they have some kind of aura that we Catholics find intimidating?
 
I’m Eastern Catholic and I’m often afraid to talk with the Orthodox . . .

Alex
 
You are terrifying, Cavaradossi. I remember that pic of you in fighting stance or whatever that was all about… 😃

Some recent threads on this board and OC.net have made me wonder if RCs might also be afraid of Eastern Catholics, too. You know, like they might be double agents or otherwise not playing for the right team. It is sad to live this way, so I hope I’m wrong.

Once again, OO come out on top because nobody remembers we’re out here. :cool:
 
dzheremi said:
You are terrifying, Cavaradossi. I remember that pic of you in fighting stance or whatever that was all about… 😃

Some recent threads on this board and OC.net have made me wonder if RCs might also be afraid of Eastern Catholics, too. You know, like they might be double agents or otherwise not playing for the right team. It is sad to live this way, so I hope I’m wrong.

Once again, OO come out on top because nobody remembers we’re out here. :cool:
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One of my friends took that picture of me several years ago. I’m more of average height and a bit fatter than that picture makes me look. 😃
 
dzheremi said:
Once again, OO come out on top because nobody remembers we’re out here. :cool:
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The who now? 😃

I think many Catholics find Eastern Christianity daunting. Dip their toes in the water with fellow Catholics, so to speak.
 
Peter_J said:
This is just an idea that occurred to me, so I apologize that if it isn’t entirely thought-out.

It seems pretty clear that a lot of Latin Catholics go to Eastern Catholics with questions about the Orthodox, right? (I won’t list threads, but there are definitely a lot of threads here that start out with a question about Orthodoxy.) And I think it is also clear that at least *part *of the reason for this phenomenon is that many ECs know quite a lot about Orthodoxy (I know that’s certainly true of a number of ECs that I know). But I’m wondering if there’s also another reason: namely, are we Catholics “afraid” to talk with Eastern Orthodox? Do they have some kind of aura that we Catholics find intimidating?
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It seems that they are. I know a lot of people who are RCs who would dismiss anything Orthodox (people, clergy, teachings, etc.) for the simple reason that they are not in communion with Rome (or the teaching is from someone who is not in communion with Rome).
 
Peter_J said:
This is just an idea that occurred to me, so I apologize that if it isn’t entirely thought-out.

It seems pretty clear that a lot of Latin Catholics go to Eastern Catholics with questions about the Orthodox, right? (I won’t list threads, but there are definitely a lot of threads here that start out with a question about Orthodoxy.) And I think it is also clear that at least *part *of the reason for this phenomenon is that many ECs know quite a lot about Orthodoxy (I know that’s certainly true of a number of ECs that I know). But I’m wondering if there’s also another reason: namely, are we Catholics “afraid” to talk with Eastern Orthodox? Do they have some kind of aura that we Catholics find intimidating?
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That very well could be the reason. I’ve met persons of all sort of religions (or none at all) that frankly terrify me.

However, look at another angle. Could this be a possible step forward for Eastern Catholics? That is to say, more and more Roman Catholics are realizing, “Hey aren’t these Eastern Catholics pretty much Orthodox, except in communion with Rome? Maybe they know a thing or two about the Eastern praxis.”

My guess is that it is a combination of both.
 
Peter_J said:
But I’m wondering if there’s also another reason: namely, are we Catholics “afraid” to talk with Eastern Orthodox? Do they have some kind of aura that we Catholics find intimidating?
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No. 🙂
 
ThatOneGuy92 said:
That very well could be the reason. I’ve met persons of all sort of religions (or none at all) that frankly terrify me.

However, look at another angle. Could this be a possible step forward for Eastern Catholics? That is to say, more and more Roman Catholics are realizing, “Hey aren’t these Eastern Catholics pretty much Orthodox, except in communion with Rome? Maybe they know a thing or two about the Eastern praxis.”

My guess is that it is a combination of both.
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In my experience, most think I’m not even Catholic anymore. 😦
 
Peter_J said:
This is just an idea that occurred to me, so I apologize that if it isn’t entirely thought-out.

It seems pretty clear that a lot of Latin Catholics go to Eastern Catholics with questions about the Orthodox, right? (I won’t list threads, but there are definitely a lot of threads here that start out with a question about Orthodoxy.) And I think it is also clear that at least *part *of the reason for this phenomenon is that many ECs know quite a lot about Orthodoxy (I know that’s certainly true of a number of ECs that I know). But I’m wondering if there’s also another reason: namely, are we Catholics “afraid” to talk with Eastern Orthodox? Do they have some kind of aura that we Catholics find intimidating?
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No
 
I actually enjoy speaking to Orthodox more than I enjoy speaking to EC’s. I feel that I am getting the pure, unadulterated Orthodox facts from them.

With EC’s it gets a little complicated for me, because by now some of you know that I think that the same rules that apply to Roman Catholics in terms of dogma should apply to Eastern Catholics, so that sort of gets in my way.

Also, I feel that some ECs are constantly attempting to reconcile Catholicism with Orthodoxy.

With the Orthodox, it is what it is, and I just enjoy learning.
 
TrueLight said:
I actually enjoy speaking to Orthodox more than I enjoy speaking to EC’s. I feel that I am getting the pure, unadulterated Orthodox facts from them.
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Yes, all we have is the Latinized version, unfortunately.
TrueLight said:
With EC’s it gets a little complicated for me, because by now some of you know that I think that the same rules that apply to Roman Catholics in terms of dogma should apply to Eastern Catholics, so that sort of gets in my way.

With the Orthodox, it is what it is, and I just enjoy learning.
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I get your drift here. Should ECs just return to their mother Orthodox Churches?
 
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