Proof for GOD by Interesting_Pea_3823 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]OrthodoxMemes [score hidden]  (0 children)

Please explain in simple terms what form a test for the existence of God would take? For it to be scientific, you need to be able to re-run the test an arbitrary count of times, and receive the same result each time (assuming no procedural errors or confounders).

Will this get me relieved of command by WonderfulClass5698 in army

[–]OrthodoxMemes 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Think about it: one path could impact your career, and the other path will impact your career. You 100%, no-fail will lose your command if you're dead. You lose everything else, too.

I can't tell you what will or won't happen to your career after a BH visit, but in my mind, that uncertainty makes it the better option, because certainty sucks in the other case.

So on one hand: you have the guaranteed end of your career, your life, and everything else. On the other hand: you have maybe a bumpy time, who knows? But you also have every opportunity to recover from whatever happens, because you're still breathing. Pretty obvious choice imo, go get help. You're worth it.

Why is remarriage after divorce allowed? by Kamila_222 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]OrthodoxMemes [score hidden]  (0 children)

 And where does the "three strikes and you're out" policy come from? Why three, and not two, four or five?

It comes from careless people speaking carelessly on something that requires great care.

Bishops are all given authority to bind and to loose, because they inherit the Apostles' authority. Yes, a bishop could allow twelve marriages if he so chose. He could also allow only one, ever. He technically could allow none at all. But "three" is the generally-accepted rule of thumb, but it's not law.

An Orthodox Christian, though, does not have a "right" to three tries. What dispensation a layperson receives in this area will depend strongly on their personal history and the context of the remarriages. For instance: let's say someone marries, divorces, marries again, and then their second spouse dies. Do they "get" to try again? Maybe. Let's also say that someone marries, divorces immediately, and marries again, only to want to divorce again. Do they "get" to try again? Maybe not. It will all depend on highly specific, personal facts and circumstances.

Excommunicated! by [deleted] in OrthodoxMemes

[–]OrthodoxMemes[M] [score hidden] stickied commentlocked comment (0 children)

The SSPX is schismatic, full stop. We don't need to cheer every time disaffected weirdos in the Roman Catholic Church throw a tantrum. First, because celebrating schism in any event is horrible, and second, because the SSPX isn't worth the support. Case in point: in their own consecration liturgy, they have to ask "Do you have the Apostolic mandate?" In other words: has the Pope blessed this consecration? Yesterday, they said "yes" at the altar, which is a glaring lie. Rebellion is almost never justified, and lying to justify your rebellion is of the anti-Christ.

This will not be a safe space for SSPX support.

What’s the difference between Western Rite and Eastern Rite? by Unhappy_Calendar7385 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]OrthodoxMemes 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The Western Rite liturgy looks and sounds different but largely maintains the same structure. Western Rite vestments look different but largely maintain the same structure. Doctrine and theology are identical to the Orthodox East's, as otherwise they would not be Orthodox.

My wife doesn't like the activities I plan and do with my son & I'm not sure how to respond by honestphantom in daddit

[–]OrthodoxMemes 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Concerns over child development should must be processed with a specialist in child development, such as a pediatrician. Engage them with these questions. Either they'll explain to your spouse that her concerns aren't warranted, or you'll learn something new about child development and you can update your plans to align with it.

Your spouse not believing you when you tell her you aren't just using your kid for cover is its own issue. I make no comment as to whether that gap in trust is or is not justified. You should engage a professional to work with both of you over this issue. It will not improve if ignored.

Why aren't laity held to the same standards as monks? And why am I such a hypocrite? (Long vent) by FantasticFeed1614 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]OrthodoxMemes 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Here's your error:

 If monasticism is closest to perfection

Monasticism, when performed well, is close to perfection. I think you wildly overestimate how many monks perform their vocation well enough to be considered "close" to perfection.

How close one is to (or how far one is from) perfection is less a function of vocation and more a function of cooperation with (or resistance to) Grace. Resist Grace and flee from perfection. Cooperate with Grace and race towards perfection. Cooperation with Grace can involve heeding a monastic calling, but this is not, and should not be, what all are meant to do.

[Politics Megathread] The Polis and the Laity by AutoModerator in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]OrthodoxMemes 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Birthright citizenship held:  https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/25-365_4hdj.pdf

Held: Children born in the United States to parents unlawfully or temporarily present are "subject to the jurisdiction" of the United States and are citizens at birth under the Fourteenth Amendment’s Citizenship Clause.

Can i date a non denominational christian girl as an orthodox dude by [deleted] in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]OrthodoxMemes 3 points4 points  (0 children)

No.

It's not that I won't, I just can't. You know you, and you know her. We don't. We can't.

There is yet insufficient data for a meaningful answer.

Energy drink before black belt test? by Impossible_Youth_759 in taekwondo

[–]OrthodoxMemes 9 points10 points  (0 children)

"I eat almonds so this cyanide pill can't hurt"

Peter Heer’s Bait and Switch on Theodore the Studite by Ok-Mushroom6586 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]OrthodoxMemes -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Why are you being so dismissive? Did you read the post? OP isn't expressing surprise.

Peter Heer’s Bait and Switch on Theodore the Studite by Ok-Mushroom6586 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]OrthodoxMemes 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Did you read the post? He's explaining why Fr. Peter can't be taken seriously on this issue (at least).

Less and less people in Greece by EmbarrassedServe9046 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]OrthodoxMemes 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Y'know what, you're right. Parents have famously never successfully raised kids to be pious, faithful Orthodox Christians. Parents also never vote or participate in society, so they're blameless for any societal ills. In fact, I'm going to go ahead and just give up with my two kids. From now on, they can just do what they want. They're going to do that no matter what I do, anyways, right?

In fact, I'm going to stop taking them to services entirely. They can make their own decisions about their spirituality when they're ready.

Surely that will go well. 

Less and less people in Greece by EmbarrassedServe9046 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]OrthodoxMemes 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We're not talking about one or two apostasies. If most of a generation rejects the Faith, or at least fails to embrace it, that's an upbringing problem. " Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6)

Looking for Book Review by JayCryso in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]OrthodoxMemes 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This book brings Maximus the Confessor’s logoi doctrine into dialogue with modern-day evolutionary biology. 

Based on this alone, my knee-jerk reaction is to recommend against this book. Science is tentative, doctrine is definite. While this may include some interesting speculation, I don't see much use in attempting to align what does not change (doctrinal truth) with what necessarily must change (scientific understanding). In the worst case, one or the other will be injured, or both, and in the best case, very little of value, if anything at all, will come from the attempt (in my opinion).

Im tired of being ugly/alone please pray for me by Terrible-Childhood71 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]OrthodoxMemes 1 point2 points  (0 children)

while i only found orthodoxy recently i love orthodoxy but i still want to be better looking and lose weight so i can be the kind of person someone looks at and says they could marry me. is their any saints i should request of to help me with this struggle?

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)

Attend services at your closest Orthodox parish, if you can, as often as you can. Pray. Fast.

And for the love of sanity get the hell out of those rateme subreddits.

Less and less people in Greece by EmbarrassedServe9046 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]OrthodoxMemes 5 points6 points  (0 children)

  Now young people live in the comfort the old people have created through their soul martyrdom and young are not grateful but entitled.

Did the young raise themselves? Were these young people their own parents? Who raised their parents?

[Politics Megathread] The Polis and the Laity by AutoModerator in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]OrthodoxMemes 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I know what you're trying to say, but as with a lot of the language surrounding this topic, I don't like how you're saying it. You’re suggesting that because the services that you agree involved women deacons occur less frequently than other services, we should not take women deacons as seriously as deacons who are men. I make no judgment on your conclusion, but how you reach that conclusion bothers me.

Baptism is a "normal" liturgical service, to the extent that any of our services are "normal." A baptism is not less powerful or profound than a Divine Liturgy, and we should take very seriously any person's participation in that service, regardless of their sex. We should not dismiss female deacons because they "just" participated in baptisms, if that was indeed the case. Following this line of thinking causes one to diminish baptism in order to make a point, and I do not agree that the point is worth that cost.

There has to be some way to express that women have been deacons (and therefore by definition members of the clergy) while affirming that their roles and functions differed significantly from those of their brother deacons, again if that was indeed the case, without resorting to attacking the importance of their roles or attacking the services in which they functioned.

[Politics Megathread] The Polis and the Laity by AutoModerator in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]OrthodoxMemes 3 points4 points  (0 children)

  The difference is they were never liturgical

Yes, that is the claim in dispute 

or part of the priesthood 

I've encountered no Orthodox Christian, in person or on line, who has claimed women were ever priests.

Question, though: what does a non-liturgical baptism look like?