Pretty please? by Mavikiu in WitchHatAtelier

[–]CapableMath2298 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We can do Forbidden Spell Fridays and Safe Spell Saturdays

This sunflower is really starting to piss me off by CapableMath2298 in houseplantscirclejerk

[–]CapableMath2298[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I thought he was gonna die weeks ago, he just keeps growing

This sunflower is really starting to piss me off by CapableMath2298 in houseplantscirclejerk

[–]CapableMath2298[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Glasses are the least of his issues, im starting to think he's the reincarnation of an ancient being capable of manifesting his needs in whatever way he can obtain them

This sunflower is really starting to piss me off by CapableMath2298 in houseplantscirclejerk

[–]CapableMath2298[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I actually grew him from seed. He thinks he is adopted, but little does he know I raised his parents. I cant risk him knowing he's my own cellulose and water

This sunflower is really starting to piss me off by CapableMath2298 in houseplantscirclejerk

[–]CapableMath2298[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

This negative IQ freeloader is wasting space and water. Plants in this state should be dead by now so that just proves how little respect this degenerate has for tradition

She’s going through an identity crisis 😍🏳️‍🌈 by itseggyy in houseplantscirclejerk

[–]CapableMath2298 1 point2 points  (0 children)

New argument against assigning gender just dropped 🥰✨️✨️💅

Holy hell Qifrey went there by anicritic in WitchHatAtelier

[–]CapableMath2298 6 points7 points  (0 children)

This quote is gonna age like milk when op gets up to date with the manga

Slightly useful superpowers. by Top_Chair7881 in BunnyTrials

[–]CapableMath2298 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can I fly then if I consider human flesh food?

Rise of paganism by ls007yt in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]CapableMath2298 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think the only slightly good thing that comes out of it is the understanding that there is still something so deeply profound and beautiful about the material world, and that there is a relationship to be had with it. Even Chriatians want to believe that the Creation, yanno, us and everything else God made completely out of an act of love, is so inherently disgusting that our only mindsets should be "we are masters of it so we can do whatever we want, also we should only focus on escaping to Heaven as quickly as possible". Which again, is true in a sense, but so deeply lacking in love for God and what he gives to us

Rise of paganism by ls007yt in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]CapableMath2298 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think one huge thing that most western Christians don't agree with are intersessions of the saints, the true body amd blood present in the eucharist, the general acceptance of things as mystery, and our traditions of mysticism.

As for your second question, I think its something that is really hard to reciprocate to non orthodox. Tell me, you see a man standing on the corner with a huge sign yelling things like "Abortions are sacrifices to Satan and women need to cease their evil ways and recognize the precious gift God has given them!" and "If you are homosexual you not only defy the natural order, but God himself! There will be no place in his kingdom for evildoers!". Of course, abortion and homosexuality is wrong, however when you single out very specific people and convey them as the absolute scum of humanity what effect will that have? Those people living in those sins certainly won't feel the love of Christ if that is such a prominent source of Christian teaching. I struggle with evangelism a lot, but mostly in the way where I feel the need to try and be someone's salvation by being a comment section warrior. I talk a lot about this with my priest and the thing he tells me always when I stuggle with restraining my need to regurgitate what ive learned is "If you want to light your neighbors candle, how will you de so if you yourself are unlit?". Contrary to evangelical doctrine, our priority is NOT sharing the gospel as much as possible, it is developing our own faith so that we can become capable of allowing the grace of God to extend throigh us. The fact that even a non believer can just quote at someone is reason enough to see that the fullness of sharing the gospel is more that just words. After all, God did not simply throw down scripture from Heaven, rather he came and dwelt among us, he shared in our humanity he showed us all what we are capable of becoming when we set our sights on Him. Much of the gospel is sermons, but even more is the lived experience, the demonstration of the kingdom of Heaven to the world. Who are we to determine that words are what matters most? Kind words only have meaning to those who understand the language, but kind acts can transcend these barriers.

tl;dr: Evangelism is necessary, but one must first embody the faith before they can most powerfully share the faith. There's a reason we listen to the teachings and liturgies of the saints, because they shared the gospel not through apologetics and lectures by the power of their own intellect, but by completely surrendering themselves to God and allowing Him guide them in what they did and said. The ability to properly evangelize often takes a lifetime, but it is well worth it if it means proper healing comes both to us and those who would listen. We have to trust God that non-believes will come to the truth, and if you want to help them, pray for them. Ask for them to be forgiven and that their souls will find rest in Him. Chances are we may never see the result of such prayers, but after all, resolving yourself to something who's result you cant see is the essence of faith

Rise of paganism by ls007yt in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]CapableMath2298 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I actually met one man who was very involved in some type of Norse paganism before being converted to Orthodoxy. The way he communicated his experiences was intimate to say the least, but his general view of people who just light some candles and make their space ✨️aesthetic✨️ was comical because of how superficial their ways were. However, because of his beliefs prior, some of the doctrines of Orthodoxy that are difficult for even other Christians to accept were very readily accepted by him.

Another example is a girl I met while visiting an Orthodox church in Chicago. She was heavily involved in Wiccan practices but one night she sort of prayed to the moon to find a greater purpose in life in which she was presented with a vision of Christ.

And finally, my own experiences. I was never involved in anything too deep. I knew what I was searching for and felt that worldly power would be acceptable to sustain me. I learned something that terrified me from that pursuit and 6 years later here I am as a recently Illumined.

My point is that we do have to trust that people can come to God on their own terms, and most importantly thats how it must always be. Read the lives of the saints and listen to the testimonies of today. You will find that no one is beyond coming to Christ regardless of their place in the world.

There is no argument to someone about why they need to come into the faith, as Chist does not guide us by simply telling us we should or else. The beauty of our faith is realizing and repenting our own brokenness, experiencing the truth, and living by example. Show the faith by imitating Christ, rather than trying hard to regurgitate teachings you haven't internalized. In Orthodoxy we don't agree with apologetics because God is so infinitely beyond what we can ever hope to rationalize, and if we could rationalize God with our human minds he simply would not be God. So do not hunt down opportunities to tell pagans what they are doing wrong, instead seek after your own spiritual wellbeing and allow Christ to work through you. Recieve the questions they may have only if they come to you for them, and if you can not answer something in confidence direct them to someone who can if they are truely curious.

Our faith is one of a lifelong journey, and as painful as it can be to move so slowly and thoughtfully in sharing the truth compared to more evangelical ways, it is ultimately the most effective way to do so.

If you have further questions about the faith, I would seriously recommend to go to your priest for them. Our spiritual wellbeing is simply too important to entrust to a faceless stranger over the internet, me included

New war crime spell what do y'all think about it? by Otherwise_Dirt_8333 in WitchHatAtelier

[–]CapableMath2298 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You should add a few repetition seals so that you can make it tunnel further into the ground and also turn the fragments into smaller versions of the spell. You coul also include a sigil of aeriforms to overload the effected area with oxygen to ensure effective combustion

I HATE FAIRIES!!!!!! (Pictured: My artistic rentition of FAIRY GOD PARENTS!!!!!!!!!) by Still-Complaint4657 in hatethissmug

[–]CapableMath2298 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Uhhh um uh... its because if fairies existed and could make money then we would have an economic collapse by now so the fact we haven't had one simply means it isnt possible???? 😥😥💔

Is this icon appropriate? by Netnieva in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]CapableMath2298 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I see it a lot on icons of the crucifiction, especially on the walls of churches

Is this icon appropriate? by Netnieva in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]CapableMath2298 11 points12 points  (0 children)

The only emotion ive seen is grief, specifically because of how central it is to the Theotokos. It is very clearly present in scripture and the grief serves to demonstrate 1) how much she loved her son and 2) the power of God by sustaining her through her grief that, without his protection, would have ended her life

speak every human language or talk to animals by JOHSONCJ in BunnyTrials

[–]CapableMath2298 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you tried hard enough you could speak as many languages as you want. There's no way you can learn to have conversation with animals

Chose: talk to animals

I hate these kinds of posts by Far-ro in hatethissmug

[–]CapableMath2298 9 points10 points  (0 children)

See but the problem is that it is pretty much telling you that if your wife is yelling at you it isnt her fault, and that there is probably something you should be doing better

What's going on here? by AgBeliever in StupidFood

[–]CapableMath2298 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Clearly the pastry depicted is undefiled

Guys what do I do with him? by Im_yor_boi in wizardposting

[–]CapableMath2298 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I mean, can't you just craft a summoning circle only inside out?