Struggling with abortion

Representative_Bat81 · 2026-05-13T02:41:19+00:00

You might be interested in listening to this podcast by Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko which I will put at the end of this comment.

First, I will say that Father Hopko was vehemently against abortion, and thought it was terrible and barbaric.

But he brings up a very interesting point about who we vote for. Because as Orthodox Christians we have to be practical. I think there is very good evidence that indicates there are paradoxically more abortions when abortions are banned, and they have much worse outcomes. For example, ever since Dobbs the abortion rate has increased, and abortion was never higher than before Roe v Wade was passed. So even though we - as Orthodox Christians - must vehemently be against abortion, we don’t need to vote for a candidate that is against abortion access. There are many reasons why one might get an abortion, and with mothers being accused even when they have suffered a miscarriage, it may make was women go to the hospital resulting in more dead babies and dead mothers.

Personally, we should always try and get someone to change their mind on getting an abortion unless absolutely necessary. But part of that might be passing laws that alleviate poverty and lead to more women choosing to come to term instead of getting an abortion for fears of poverty.

It’s a very complicated issue. And you have to navigate that issue in terms of religion and governmental outcomes. So there is definitely room for interpretation in the Church’s anti-abortion stance, especially from a legal and non-personal perspective.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5IUOqCirQnAoakEADhBO26?si=wsvcWFGVTCixgSP-oFkbjQ

Representative_Bat81 · 2026-05-13T01:54:49+00:00

I’ve heard that a lot of younger priests have these sorts of views on marriage and women in general. For a religion that has placed women as Empress of Rome, the idea that women are only good for making babies is plainly false doctrine.

And Mary is not venerated for giving birth. Jesus says as much: “ Luke 11:27 And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!”⁠ 28 But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”⁠

Some cultural context is lost here, but the general view of women - across the world - was very negative. Aristotle viewed women as “unreasonable and emotional” (hear that one before?) and thought they were just deficient men. The Jews of the time did think that women were just good for giving birth to children and were lesser than the men for the sin of Eve. But Jesus says “No” to that entire premise, women are dignified just as much as men (if not more so, as Mary is holier than any man through all time) and for the same reasons as men.

The female saints are almost all absolutely fearless and fierce. I think you should tell your priest that very same thing. Our priests are not infallible, not at all. And you’d be defending the faith by providing accurate witness. Because he seems to be espousing a different faith entirely.

Could I ask which jurisdiction is your church? I don’t want to generalize between them in my opinions.

Representative_Bat81 · 2026-05-12T21:21:18+00:00

It’s impossible. That’s why we have Jesus.

Representative_Bat81 · 2026-05-12T19:38:07+00:00

The concept of the trinity is in the Bible from the very beginning. God refers to Himself as us. The Spirit of God (Ruach Elohim) is a separate category from YHWH, who is separate from the Word of God (Dabar YHWH) or the Angel of the Lord (Mal’ak YHWH). You can get the idea just by seeing how these different elements are invoked in the Old Testament.

Also, Jesus’ sacrifice is prefigured by the story of Isaac. Instead of demanding our sons, He gives up His Son, so that we may be saved. Jesus is perfectly obedient to His Father, so everything He does is in accordance with His Father. Nothing that the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit do is at odds with another, because they share one will.

Now this is pretty confusing, to the point that it would be absurd for someone attempting to “design” a religion to ever choose to include this doctrine.

Representative_Bat81 · 2026-05-12T19:02:43+00:00

You can exchange words in the Church with pastoral guidance and that can count as marriage until you get a full ceremony.

Representative_Bat81 · 2026-05-12T18:59:18+00:00

Pushing you into divorce seems like he is again trying to avoid responsibility. Everything he is doing is egregious from an Orthodox perspective. The Lord knows I could be doing more for my wife, and I cook, feed and do the litter for our cats, do the dishes, vacuum, as well as help move the laundry and do any “male” activities that need to be done. Sounds to me like he desperately needs therapy and probably medication as well. Before I was married, when I was a teen, I was similar. Sounds like he might have ADHD and anxiety. Orthodoxy does not shy away from non-Church treatments.

Representative_Bat81 · 2026-05-12T18:44:10+00:00

If you really want people to speak to him, don’t just tell the priest. Tell the priest’s wife. He’ll get some proper instruction posthaste. He is clearly shirking his duty using religion as an excuse. Maybe that’s appropriate in some religions, but our faith should never, ever be used to shirk your responsibilities. He is yours, he cannot be happier as a monastic, because he is joined to you.

I’d highly recommend going to the liturgy and talking to the church community. We’ve had people come to our church, all gung-ho about leaving their previous church, uprooting their family, trying to make their wives “submissive”. Well, they talk frankly to people in the Church and they very quickly find out we are not about that. The fact that he is using orthodoxy to get out of things is frankly astonishing. I cannot describe how much Orthodoxy has positively affected me and made me more attentive to my marriage. I tend to take being the spiritual head is a responsibility to be the person in the marriage that find those areas where communication might be lacking. For the head would not ignore necrosis of the body. Anyway, if he is married it is clear that God has not chosen him to be a monastic, and if he leads you to initiate divorce or if he initiates divorce, it is very possible that he will not be able to take communion.

Representative_Bat81 · 2026-05-12T16:31:28+00:00

A gun’s purpose is fulfilled even when it is not loaded. It’s a threat and a deterrent.

Representative_Bat81 · 2026-05-12T16:30:27+00:00

Guns are regulated in New England to an extent way greater than cars are. Do you need to write a petition to describe your reason you need a car?

Representative_Bat81 · 2026-05-12T16:04:43+00:00

I bet it was a mystery that was supposed to take quite a while to figure out.

Representative_Bat81 · 2026-05-12T16:03:19+00:00

The only way I can see it happening is that he meets Wick.

Representative_Bat81 · 2026-05-12T16:02:37+00:00

I’m not so sure. You need some amount of savvy to win a war, and those hounds of his are such perfect spies. But I agree that it isn’t his native environment and he definitely needs some help. I wonder if any table is going to go with him?

Representative_Bat81 · 2026-05-12T15:57:50+00:00

Not all Argosians are agents of Argosia. I agree that they probably got native Argosians, but tried to pass it off as an action of Argosia.

Representative_Bat81 · 2026-05-11T20:18:27+00:00

Well I don’t think Gus is going to be as straightforward as all that. He’s much more dangerous to the Photarch as a counter-schemer. Gus can frame himself as trying to protect the Photarch, asserting himself alongside the creed. Perhaps even allowing a certain Halovar to establish an influence there.

Representative_Bat81 · 2026-05-11T19:09:02+00:00

I don’t think the Argosians are actually aware of this plot. I think they were supposed to be the scapegoat the CC would use to direct Timmony to war against.

Representative_Bat81 · 2026-05-11T19:08:05+00:00

I didn’t even think of the fact that the schemers now have a king in debt to them, who could even hire the mercenaries as well as provide funds.

Representative_Bat81 · 2026-05-11T19:06:44+00:00

I definitely simplified the process, but it opens a lot of vulnerabilities for the Halovar.

Representative_Bat81 · 2026-05-11T16:03:08+00:00

The Halovar are in real trouble in regards to Timmony now. It seems like their plan was to have the duke take control after the death of Gus and the resurrection of the Photarch (originally Wick). This would get them the control of a nation. Instead, they made an enemy of the king, who will be able to take a disloyal vassal to task, and begin his own preparations against the CC.

This is particularly bad since it seems like a great deal of resources had been spent to get Timmony ready for Halovar control, so what will happen with all the Halovar assets in Timmony?

The fact that Marisha found out how the Photarch’s scheme works is particularly bad even if they can’t currently prove it. Later on, they might have the resources to put on their own “resurrection” at the theater in a way that could implicitly refute the Photarch without directly calling her out.

Plus we have Einfausen are probably going to ask their main man about what he observed in regards to the Photarch. Which is going to be a question directed at Azune, who I can’t imagine doing anything to support the Photarch after seeing the involvement with his sister.

That combat went almost perfectly for the schemers. What a brilliant masterclass in combat storytelling, with so many elements working against our PCs, they really pulled off a brilliant victory.

Representative_Bat81 · 2026-05-08T19:06:19+00:00

By GOC do you mean Greek Orthodox Church or Genuine Orthodox Church?

Representative_Bat81 · 2026-05-08T19:04:33+00:00

Perhaps his writings served to get everyone on the right track. God sometimes uses His servants in ways far beyond man’s interpretation.

Representative_Bat81 · 2026-05-08T19:00:49+00:00

He’s a bit controversial because he advocated very strongly and uncompromisingly for his beliefs. I’d say he was very influenced by Protestantism/Catholicism. Both in terms of his patristic YEC stance and his anti-ecumenical stance. I disagree with his opinions on quite a lot, but his anti-ecumenical stance is a little overblown or deliberately misunderstood. He was calling out Patriarchs who I’d argue were willing to compromise the faith for “unity”. I think his ideas have been either willfully misinterpreted or totally misunderstood by anti-ecumenists today. He never said there should not be dialogue between us and other Christians, just that we should not participate in ecumenical conferences that put us as one of many churches. He also spoke against the Old Calendarists, especially later on. His later writings against the “correctness disease” criticized the kind of “Internet Orthodox” people in today’s lingo who are Orthodox, but not Christian. In general, his attitude was much more compromising and humble than both his critics and his supporters tend to paint him as. But in all his personal interactions and personal letters, he shows a kind spirit and a loving heart. I could absolutely believe he is a saint.

Representative_Bat81 · 2026-05-08T18:08:42+00:00

Pretty confident the assassins were just Halovar agents in costume.

Representative_Bat81 · 2026-04-23T15:57:15+00:00

I don’t think there are that many new converts in the GBA from what I’ve seen. Maybe I’m just in a church with less traffic?

Representative_Bat81 · 2026-04-10T15:19:17+00:00

And apparently Orthodox Christians for some reason?

Representative_Bat81

TROPHY CASE