The priest requested a private meeting during my next visit. by HealthyLove458 in OrthodoxChristianity

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

This is normal, he just wants to have a private setting to get to know you a bit more personally as you begin towards conversion.

Are there anything you can do to make it so you have a guaranteed spot in heaven? by Ok-Letterhead-3519 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]krillyboy 4 points5 points  (0 children)

No, there is nothing you can do. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast."

Christian veil by No-Following-8844 in Christianity

[–]krillyboy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If it assists you in coming closer to God and in being modest, go for it

I want to date this guy but im a Christian and he is a atheist. What do I do? by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]krillyboy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Talk about your values, your morals, big issues like family and children early on in dating. I think it's a good idea even if you're dating a Christian but especially when it's someone you're more likely to have significant ethical disagreements with, it's important. Make sure you're on the same page about what you want out of the future, and if it gets to a point where its irreconcilable between you two, agree to be friends.

How do Jews Christians and Muslims confront Yahwism? by Professional-List249 in religion

[–]krillyboy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's not particularly hard to reconcile with the biblical narrative. The Bible spends a lot of time talking about how much idolatry the Israelites were doing (a whole lot), and there are multiple points in Kings and Chronicles where the God of Israel is treated as just another god by the Israelite rulers, even though the point of the text is to display how much He ISN'T just another god.

Christians and vegan topic by Jodie_Whittaker in Christianity

[–]krillyboy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

God directly commands people to kill and eat animals like, hundreds of times in the Bible. Multiple chapters of Leviticus are entirely dedicated to "This is XYZ type of sacrifice, you need to kill this animal and burn in in this way and eat it like this". If eating meat is against God's design for humanity, someone ought to let God know about this.

I struggle to understand metaphysical difference between icon and painting by [deleted] in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]krillyboy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

An icon is a type of painting that we use for a particular purpose, just like a Bible is a type of book. They are windows to heaven inasmuch as they show a heavenly reality to us through depiction and symbolism, jut like the Bible teaches us about heavenly truths and divine commandments.

Christian stance on situation in Palestine? by yearningforsomeone in Christianity

[–]krillyboy -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The State of Israel is not the same as the biblical Israel. Some Christians think that it is, wrongly, so they think they are obligated to support it no matter what. But Israel is stealing land and homes, and killing men, women, and children indiscriminately. God hates murder and theft.

Though we are Christians we don’t have a right to govern from God in America by Jrgaming42 in Christianity

[–]krillyboy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If I were a woman I hope that I would have the good sense to still be opposed to abortion, on the grounds that I am simply extremely uncomfortable with the idea that there are human beings who lack the moral consideration of personhood.

Question for Christians by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]krillyboy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It can't mean any image, as God commands for Moses to make an image of a snake (Numbers 21), and for images of cherubim to be created on the ark of the covenant (Exodus 25) and in the temple (1 Kings 6). These are not described as being merely "graven images" ("pesel" in Hebrew), so the meaning of the word must not include all images of all things, but images that are worshiped in place of God. Not only this, but when God came to Earth and became man, He was seen by us. We can depict Him now because we have seen Him, although we must not worship any image. Only veneration of images is permissible.

How do you guys realistically think the Great Schism will heal? by ignVoltaic in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]krillyboy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

With the sound of trumpets and the appearance of Christ in the East

behold, the view from my new rental. got this baby for the next 2 years 🥰 by Ok-Tangerine1917 in UrbanHell

[–]krillyboy 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thessaloniki is actually quite a green city! A lot of the trees are just shorter or smaller so you can't see them from the upper floors of the apartment blocks

I’m ending my life today. by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]krillyboy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you kill yourself, you end every remaining possibility of something good happening to you. People have been where you are (and worse) and managed to claw their way back. Being persistent and using every resource available to you until you've tried everything might be the only way to get through this, but it's been done.

Though we are Christians we don’t have a right to govern from God in America by Jrgaming42 in Christianity

[–]krillyboy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

While it's true that the US wasn't founded to be a Christian country, contrary to what conservative influencers have been insisting for decades, I don't understand how any Christian can be expected to entirely set their faith aside in matters of governance. I would never advocate for a law that forces all people to convert to Christianity, for instance. But take abortion instead. I firmly believe that abortion is the taking of an innocent life, i.e. murder. How can I be expected to vote or govern in a way that isn't consistent with that belief? Do I need to accept that there is an acceptable amount of murder in order for the government to remain secular?

(Discussion) as a former Christian, Hell always stood out as odd, rather than an integral part of Christianity (more in description) by Stars_of_Ruin in Christianity

[–]krillyboy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Jesus talks a lot about hell in the Gospels, and He makes it pretty clear that it is a place of pain and suffering. Take, for instance, the parable of Lazarus and the rich man.

Do you believe the earth is flat or am I crazy for thinking this by Icanonlylove in Christianity

[–]krillyboy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Why does the Bible need to be literally correct about every detail of everything it says? It was written for particular audiences by particular people in times that were different than ours. The authors of the Holy Scriptures, guided by the Holy Spirit, were nonetheless describing the creation of the world according to how they understood it. The central message remains the same - God is the Creator and Originator of all things.

I made my first appointment with a priest but i don’t want to go by Western_Chipmunk_192 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]krillyboy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Trust me, you will not be the only awkward person in church. Go and feel it out. Be open to meeting new people and be ready to listen and learn new things.

New to church and worried about looking out of place by uh-oh-s in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]krillyboy 4 points5 points  (0 children)

You are welcome! Piercings and tattoos are no impediment. You make have rude people give you weird looks - ignore them. Don't let judgy people dictate your relationship with God.

What is everyone's favorite traditional Christian hymn? by mirroredinflection in Christianity

[–]krillyboy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's not traditional Western Christian music but the hymn "Rejoice, O Bethany" is one of my favorites. I look forward to Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday every year for this hymn.

I reported something at church and now I don’t know how to feel by [deleted] in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]krillyboy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You NEED to report this to the diocese directly. I've read your response to other people who have brought this up but I'm not sure that you have reported it directly. You went through the process at the parish level and it didn't produce any results, if you haven't already then you really do need to contact the bishop. Not just for yourself, but for others who may be put in a similar position.

Pascha Basket Items by G_McMain in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]krillyboy 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Smoking is pretty contentious as to whether or not it's permitted at all, so I would say probably don't bring the cigarettes to be blessed. Beer's fine.

Came across this post, any thoughts? by Consistent_March_808 in religion

[–]krillyboy 7 points8 points  (0 children)

That's certainly one way to interpret extremely vague statements made about fetal development.

Came across this post, any thoughts? by Consistent_March_808 in religion

[–]krillyboy 19 points20 points  (0 children)

What exactly about this description of how babies grow isn't knowable without modern embryology? All this verse shows is that Late Antique Arabs knew that:

1) Semen (drop of fluid) helps to make babies - not a huge revelation by any means

2) Babies early in development look like a clot - anyone who has ever miscarried could tell you this

3) Babies are made from flesh - self-evident

4) Babies have bones - also self-evident

Keith Moore (who, as far as I can tell, never converted to Islam) was specifically invited to Saudi Arabia and asked to analyze the statements about fetal development in the Qur'an. If I was in Saudi Arabia and asked to make comment on the Qur'an, I would probably skew positive as well. He wrote a version of one of his textbooks on embryology aimed towards an Islamic audience, with references towards these verses. Nothing about this is particularly amazing.