Recent Posts

Pages: 1 ... 4 5 [6] 7 8 ... 10
51
Other Topics / Re: Jury Duty
« Last post by marc hanna on November 11, 2014, 08:54:24 am »
Quote from: stanley123 on November 03, 2014, 11:44:37 pm
Quote from: marc hanna on November 03, 2014, 03:49:20 pm
I have an issue with jury duty too, but as a juror you are not asked to judge a person's heart, only if the evidence is reasonable enough to prove that the defendant perpetrated the act for which he or she is accused.
The question to the jurors is whether or not the accused had violated a law. As the lawyers say, ignorance of the law is no excuse.
Yes, but there is also the element of intent that they are often required to judge on.  Examples:  the intent to commit a murder in advance can turn 2nd degree and even manslaughter into premeditated murder.  The intent to do harm (where no harm actually occurred) is the difference between no crime and assault with a weapon.  Conspiracy is an intent that is criminal even when no crime has been committed.

But I digress, this is way off topic.
52
Convert & Faith Issues / Re: Separation from the world
« Last post by marc hanna on November 11, 2014, 08:43:28 am »
Quote from: stanley123 on November 06, 2014, 02:01:57 pm
The Amish are pretty much separated from the world, although there have been some unwelcome intrusions into their communities.
Because they are different and isolate themselves from the rest of the world, I think that people get paranoid.  They have certainly been painted with the image that their communities are rampant with abuse and oppression.  The problem however, is that we only ever hear of the negative aspects.  One only has to look at the news reports of our own society to wonder why we're being so critical of them.  The have rules that their people must abide by, just like we do.  What makes their rules wrong and ours right?  It is just because we disagree with them.  Many anti-christian scientists believe that raising a child in a religious environment is akin to brainwashing and psychological abuse, does that give them the right to insist that my children be taken away from me?  Of course not.  The problem is that society seeks conformity by all people, yet our Christian faith teaches us to "be not conformed to this world."
53
Convert & Faith Issues / Re: The Sign of the Cross: History and different ways of signing
« Last post by marc hanna on November 11, 2014, 07:57:40 am »
as do I.
54
Convert & Faith Issues / Re: The Sign of the Cross: History and different ways of signing
« Last post by Kaleab on November 11, 2014, 04:34:31 am »
I cross from left to right.
55
Convert & Faith Issues / Re: The Sign of the Cross: History and different ways of signing
« Last post by marc hanna on November 10, 2014, 10:03:27 pm »
I'm not sure if it is improper to post a link to another forum, but here a good discussion on the topic with several posts from Fr Peter Farington from the British Orthodox church:
http://www.orthodoxchristianity.net/forum/index.php/topic,3671.0.html
56
Prayer Forum / Re: For Handmaiden50's Spiritual Journey
« Last post by FaithfulDespiteDoubt on November 10, 2014, 05:20:18 pm »

Hail Mary, full of grace,
The Lord is with thee,
Blessed art thou amongst women
and Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, mother of God,
Pray for us sinners now and
At the hour of our death.
Amen

57
Convert & Faith Issues / Re: Venerating the Holy Gospels/Prostrations
« Last post by marc hanna on November 10, 2014, 05:00:58 pm »
This is a sacrifice in itself.  For various reasons some people are not able to take part in all the spiritual traditions, such as prostrating, fasting, or processions.  We shouldn't worry about how we are seen by others for it is God that judges our hearts.
58
Convert & Faith Issues / The Sign of the Cross: History and different ways of signing
« Last post by Maria on November 10, 2014, 04:57:22 pm »
Quote from: marc hanna on November 10, 2014, 04:43:44 pm

BTW, the Oriental Orthodox cross themselves in the same manner as the Roman Catholics.  It's not wrong, just a different tradition.

Interesting about the Sign of the Cross.

If you have any information, perhaps we can discuss the origin and why different churches make it differently. For example, the Old Believers in Russia use two fingers instead of three, don't they?
59
Convert & Faith Issues / Re: Venerating the Holy Gospels/Prostrations
« Last post by Maria on November 10, 2014, 04:53:55 pm »
Quote from: marc hanna on November 10, 2014, 04:43:44 pm
Sometimes people get discouraged when they see 90-year-old ladies prostrating to the ground; but remember, they've being doing this their entire lives and are used to it.

At the end of the Great Friday service, in the Coptic church we prostrate to the ground 400 times: 100 times in each direction N, E, S, and W.  My knees can't handle it, so I just keep my head bowed and cross myself each time instead.

Regarding not kneeling on Sundays, I'll pull up the cannon if I can find it.

BTW, the Oriental Orthodox cross themselves in the same manner as the Roman Catholics.  It's not wrong, just a different tradition.

Actually, making prostrations is good for us both spiritually and physically.

I have difficulty arising from prostrations as I get dizzy and have fallen down, so I have been advised against making them.
In spirit, I wish I could. Lord have mercy.

p.s. I have started a new thread on the Sign of the Cross and its history.
http://orthodoxtalk.createaforum.com/convert-faith-issues/the-sign-of-the-cross-history-and-different-ways-of-signing/
60
Convert & Faith Issues / Re: Venerating the Holy Gospels/Prostrations
« Last post by marc hanna on November 10, 2014, 04:50:41 pm »
Canon 20 from the Acts of Nicea:

Forasmuch as there are certain persons who kneel on the Lord’s Day and in the days of Pentecost, therefore, to the intent that all things may be uniformly observed everywhere (in every parish), it seems good to the holy Synod that prayer be made to God standing.
Pages: 1 ... 4 5 [6] 7 8 ... 10