OFFLINE

i was curious if any of you were familiar with eastern orthodoxy christianity, or any of its tenants? if not, and that kind of thing interests you, you should wiki it, and read up a little on it. eastern orthodoxy was kind of a protestant movement, before there was a protestant movement. you can look up "the great schism," or, "the east-west schism," to learn more about the split from roman catholicism.

there are some interesting aspects, such as their concept of drawing closer to god, and becoming more christ like throughout your christian life, and the connection to constantine is interesting as well. i also like how the orthodox church is a loose affiliation of churches, rather than the top-heavy, administrative approach of the catholic church. now, as a baptist, they're obviously more catholic-like than what i'm accustomed to, but i think they make some valid points. their bible also has 10 books that ours doesn't have.

OFFLINE

I had never really reseached Eastern Orthodoxy before.  I too a look and there are some interesting ideas presented.   I think the closer we can get to the 1st Christian church ha was developed by Peter and the Apostles, based on the teachings of Jesus Christ, the better of we are.  And from what I read, that's what the Eastern Orthodox claims to be.

Seems it goes back to the Byzantine era, and is closely related to Russian Orthadoxy.  Not knowig eough about t, I'm in no position to criticize the church.  But one thing did stand out to me.

Isaiah 1 says   To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD. I
am full of the burnt-offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts, and I delight not in the
blood of bullocks or of lambs or of the goats....

When ye come to apper before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?

Bring no more vain oblations: incense is an abomination unto me.... When ye
spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you; yea, when ye make many
prayers, I will not hear; your hands are full of blood.

Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of our doings from before mine
eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do well: seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge
the fatherless, plead for the widow.

That's not word-for word, but its close.  The reason I( mention thisis that incense and ritual are used heavily (from what I have read) in many Christian faiths...includind Eastern Orthodoxy.  And Maybe even my own denomination...S. Baptist.

It would probably be worth doing away with all ritual like this, seek out a closer relationship with the Lord and living our lives the way He probably would want us to.

OFFLINE

the catholics use incense as well, and idolatry, too, seems to be a big part of their (orthodox and catholics) playbook. but you could also say that putting too much of an emphasis on church building, has taken the place of idolatry in protestant faiths. too much of the idea that a church's prominence is reflected in its physical structure, rather the within parishioners themselves. i think this kind of mindset has plagued christianity since its going mainstream around the time of constantine.  

OFFLINE

Yep.  Well... I think the important thing is to be followers of Christ.  All that other stuff may or may not be bad.  I dunno.