Observations on the new sub-forum

[Magicsilence]

I’m not sure I like the move and here is why:

1. Eastern Catholicism does not exist in a void. It has a history and a past, and is often, like it or not, tied in to the Orthodox Church(es).
2. Current Eastern Catholic practice is mixed and varied, with some Eastern Catholics defining themselves as ‘Orthodox in communion with Rome’. For Latin Catholics to even try and understand that tag requires a serious understanding of Orthodoxy. Moreover, discussion of Eastern Catholicism invariably involves the Orthodox Churches belief and practice.
3. The EC forum has recently taken a downturn in quality, but only in a seemingly direct correlation to a noticeable lack of ‘modding’ from Joe M.
4. The Non-Catholic religions forum is brawly and uncomfortable. If I want to discuss Orthodoxy, I don’t want the opinions of Muslims, Jews, or Protestants with little or no understanding on the subject.

In relation to no 4, it might well be pointed out that this is a forum for Catholics to learn about the Catholic faith. However, as I am sure many of my fellow CAF’ers will note, serious converts and reverts often find themselves examining the Catholic / Orthodox Churches in order to further their knowledge.

Studying Orthodoxy in the Eastern Christianity forum is both comfortable and relatively ‘sandboxed’. Moreover, contributions from learned Eastern Catholics (and Orthodox too) help to separate the wheat from the chaff. I cannot help but point out that for most, Orthodoxy is the last great hurdle, and to venture away from the EC forum (and CAF) can be dangerous and confusing.

1. I liked the Eastern Christianity forum culture. It was open, and allowed all Eastern Christians to gather and discuss, whereas Eastern Catholics by themselves, are relatively sparse.
2. Orthodox prosetylization (sp?) will only move to the non-catholic religions forum. You are shaking your stick at the dog instead of disciplining it, and avoiding the problem.
3. The Eastern Christianity forum had a name that better suited the kind of dialogue that arises from natural enquiry. A forum focused solely on Eastern Catholicism is slightly divorced from reality.
4. I don’t see myself using the new forum for posting, making threads, or even lurking much. Nor, can I see myself scrolling up and down the Non-Catholic religion forum to see anything of interest!

Please bring back the old forum!

All those saying ‘I’ ?

 

[mikellie]

I’m a Roman Catholic, but I did enjoy reading about Eastern Christianity and Orthodoxy. I will admit that the forum strayed from good discussion regarding Eastern Catholicism, but that’s probably because the population is so small.

I’d like to have a forum for Eastern Catholicism, where Catholics can discuss the differences without getting into a Orthodox vs. Catholic debate.

I’d also like to state that there should be a good forum for Orthodox-Catholic relations. It does not belong in the “other religions” category.

I have found the Eastern Christianity forum to be the most interesting. I would have thought the Traditional Catholicism. would be, but it really wasn’t for me. I’m seeking more reverence in the mass but don’t care if it is in Latin or Greek.

 

[mikellie]

I’d rather have the Catholic-Orthodoxy discussion on this Catholic site than anywhere else. I think it really says something that we are willing to have that dialogue open, even if it gets contentious.

If we won’t do that here, I may have to find a new home to research and discuss Church history and liturgy.

 

[wynd]

Please bring back the old forum!

All those saying ‘I’ ?

It’s not my call, but for now I agree with you. I wasn’t around before the creation of the EC forum, so I’ll have to wait and see what things are like without it.

 

[NewAbdalMaseeh]

I am, as some know, a person who is standing at the fork between Catholicism and Orthodoxy, and thus, perhaps, I am significantly more ignorant on the subject than MagicSilence and Mikellie. Nonetheless, I am in complete agreement with what both wrote.

I like the idea of having a separate forum for discussing Eastern Rite Catholicism, free of Catholic-Orthodox debates and disagreements. But I also sincerely wish there was still a forum (or subforum) dedicated to discussing the differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy. However, if the rule against ‘proselytizing’ is too strictly enforced, then it will handicap the Orthodox side, and the discussions become one-sided.

 

[SiempreFiel]

I am, as some know, a person who is standing at the fork between Catholicism and Orthodoxy

About that…

Did you see the post where I recommended that you try to go talk with Fr. George W. Rutler for any questions that you might have about the Catholic Church?

 

[mikellie]

We should be willing to have a friendly, open dialogue about the Catholic and Orthodox faiths. From the Catholic view, very little separates us. We should promote unity, even if some get heated about the topic.

Let the Orthodox come in here and make their case. Trust in the Holy Spirit and good things might happen.

 

[NewAbdalMaseeh]

About that…

Did you see the post where I recommended that you try to go talk with Fr. George W. Rutler for any questions that you might have about the Catholic Church?

Actually, no(!), some how I missed that. Thus I must thank you for being kind enough to bring that up again. Could you direct me to the post with a link, or at least here elaborate with more information?

 

[SiempreFiel]

Actually, no(!), some how I missed that. Thus I must thank you for being kind enough to bring that up again. Could you direct me to the post with a link, or at least here elaborate with more information?

No problem.

Here is the information:

The Church of Our Saviour
59 Park Avenue at 38th Street
New York, N.Y. 10016

Phone: (212) 679-8166

Website: oursaviournyc.org/

Pastor: Father George W. Rutler

 

[NewAbdalMaseeh]

Here is the information:

The Church of Our Saviour
59 Park Avenue at 38th Street
New York, N.Y. 10016

Phone: (212) 679-8166

Website: oursaviournyc.org/

Pastor: Father George W. Rutler

Thank you, I’m lookg at the website now. But could you be more specific as to the relevance? I mean, did you recommend this particular Father because he is particularly valuable to those confused about the divide between Orthodoxy and Catholicism?

 

[obadiah]

Thank you, I’m lookg at the website now. But could you be more specific as to the relevance? I mean, did you recommend this particular Father because he is particularly valuable to those confused about the divide between Orthodoxy and Catholicism?

After being off the forums since October, I am dissapointed that CAF has relegated the Orthodox Church to the netherworld of cyberspace. I always knew the Roman Church is afraid of the truth. Our arguments were just too strong.

 

[mikellie]

OK - that’s the kind of BS that keeps you off the forum!

I’m Catholic and all for the dialogue. I want the original forum.

But I will say that it appears Catholics are much more open and charitable to the Orthodox than the reverse.

(I’m glad you are here, my friend!)

 

[obadiah]

OK - that’s the kind of BS that keeps you off the forum!

I’m Catholic and all for the dialogue. I want the original forum.

But I will say that it appears Catholics are much more open and charitable to the Orthodox than the reverse.

(I’m glad you are here, my friend!)

First, I was never taken off the forums, it was voluntary on my part, all the proud boastful roman catholics refused to see that the Orthodox Church IS THE ORIGINAL CHURCH AND ALL THE UNIATE BETRAYERS SUCCUMMED TO THE ROMAN CATHOLIC HERESY. BAN ME AND TAKE ME OFF YOUR MAILING LIST. THE POPE IS THE ANTICHRIST.

 

[HailMary]

After being off the forums since October, I am dissapointed that CAF has relegated the Orthodox Church to the netherworld of cyberspace. I always knew the Roman Church is afraid of the truth. Our arguments were just too strong.

What arguments?

catholic.com/library/Authority_of_the_Pope_Part_1.asp
catholic.com/library/Authority_of_the_Pope_Part_2.asp
catholic.com/library/Origins_of_Peter_as_Pope.asp
catholic.com/library/Papal_Infallibility.asp
catholic.com/library/Peter_and_the_Papacy.asp
catholic.com/library/Peter_the_Rock.asp
catholic.com/library/Peter_Primacy.asp

catholic.com/library/Filioque.asp

catholic.com/library/Can_Dogma_Develop.asp

catholic.com/library/Immaculate_Conception_and_Assum.asp

 

[HailMary]

First, I was never taken off the forums, it was voluntary on my part, all the proud boastful roman catholics refused to see that the Orthodox Church IS THE ORIGINAL CHURCH AND ALL THE UNIATE BETRAYERS SUCCUMMED TO THE ROMAN CATHOLIC HERESY. BAN ME AND TAKE ME OFF YOUR MAILING LIST. THE POPE IS THE ANTICHRIST.

Wow, interesting take on things. Does your Church teach you this? If no, where do you get your knowledge from?

 

[mikellie]

Wow! I didn’t expect that response. I was kidding around about the EC forum.

What a sad development, but he showed his real colors. I pray that he will return and listen with an open heart.

We can have disagreements, but I expect more charity from my Orthodox brethren.

 

[angelheart]

Hello,

I really think he was just shocked about the change…we all are…i think he didn’t mean it that way. We all say bad things when we are upset.

God bless!
Stefania

 

[mikellie]

It’s just sad. I take his statement at face value. I’m just bothered by the view many Orthodox appear hold regarding Catholicism. I had always hoped they held Catholic in the same regard that we see them.

I’m starting to see that this is sadly not the case. Catholics are much more open to reconciliation that the Orthodox appear to be.

Please show me where I am wrong. I hope that I am.

 

[Mannyfit75]

Wow! I didn’t expect that response. I was kidding around about the EC forum.

What a sad development, but he showed his real colors. I pray that he will return and listen with an open heart.

We can have disagreements, but I expect more charity from my Orthodox brethren.

I couldn’t blame obadiah for his action. I’m sure many EO Christians were shock at the change. I have brought up EO topic in NCR lately.

 

[yeshua]

I’m starting to see that this is sadly not the case. Catholics are much more open to reconciliation that the Orthodox appear to be.

Please show me where I am wrong. I hope that I am.

You are wrong by judging all Orthodox from experiences of a handful of individuals participating on a Roman Catholic Apologetics website.

In reality, I, as an Oriental Catholic am often better received by Eastern Orthodox who not only are NOT apart of my church communion but also NOT apart of my spiritual and liturgical tradition. Sad that I find solace amongst those people who don’t even prescribe to my “flavor” of Christianity than members within my own church.

The point is, an online forum is not an accurate gauge of our mutual pursuit of reconciliation.

Peace and God Bless!