https://tasbeha.org/community/categories/faith-issues/p36/feed.rss Mon, 22 Jun 2026 11:35:19 +0000 Faith Issues - Tasbeha.org Community en-CA https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/9978/churches-for-the-iraqi-christian-communities-in-the-uk Wed, 10 Nov 2010 13:19:09 +0000 peterfarrington 9978@/community/discussions
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The Churches for the Iraqi Christian Communities in the UK have arranged a joint remembrance service for our dear departed
martyrs during the cowardly and barbaric attack on the innocent Sunday worshipers at Our Lady of Salvation for the Syrian Catholic Church in Baghdad on Sunday 31-Oct-2010.

The remembrance service will be take place on Friday 12-Nov-2010 at 19:00 at the Syrian Catholic Church (Holy Trinity Church)
(4 Brook Green, London, W6 7BL).

We send our condolences and deepest sympathy to all the bereaved families of our Martyrs and we remind them of the
promise made to them by our Lord Jesus Christ that they are now rejoicing in His Kingdom in Heaven with all the angels, saints and
faithfuls and in His presence.

Please remember them in your prayers.

The Christian Churches for the Iraqi Communities in the UK]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/9993/repentance-and-confession Sat, 13 Nov 2010 13:53:54 +0000 Zoxsasi 9993@/community/discussions
I found this article on an orthodox website, and I quite liked it so I thought I'd share it:

Christ established the sacrament of repentance and confession after His resurrection. Directing Himself to His disciples, He said: "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven. If you retain the sins of any, they are retained"(John 20:22-24).

The words of Christ are very clear. They leave no room for doubt. His disciples, and afterwards their successors, alone--no one else-- have the right to forgive or not to forgive the sins of man. In essence they are instruments of Christ. It is Christ Who forgives the sins of man. The contemporaries of Christ--Pharisees, Sadducees, and others--doubted that Christ could forgive sins, or that He had this authority. We see this in the healing of the paralytic. Christ said to the paralytic: "Your sins are forgiven." They doubted His authority. And replying to them, "that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins," He said to the paralytic: "I say to you, rise, take up your pallet, and go home"(Mark 2:10-11). The healing of the paralytic was used as proof to those who opposed Christ that He indeed had authority to forgive sins. Of course, this authority arises from His divinity and His sacrifice on the Cross. He gave this authority to the Apostles and to their successors, the Bishops and Priests. He did not give this authority to anyone else, not even to the angels. Let no one say, then, that he can confess to God Himself, or to a saint, or to an icon. No. It can be done only to a Bishop or to a Priest, and to no one else.

Do we need the sacrament of repentance and confession? It would not be necessary if man did not sin. Man, however, sins even after baptism, and so this sacrament is absolutely necessary for our cleansing from sin, our purification, and for the washing of our spiritual selves.
It is for this reason that it is called a second baptism.

In order to understand how the sacrament should be performed we need not look further than the meaning of the words repentance and confession. Repentance means a changing of the mind, of thoughts, attitudes, and feelings. It is a recognition of the responsibility and the guilt for committed sins, but also of man's sinful nature. This recognition must be followed by a willingness to change our ways, yet even this is not enough. This attitude needs to be accompanied by a continual will and effort not to remain in a state of sin, but to continue in the sphere of grace, to live in a state of righteousness, and to climb continually to the spiritual ladder that never ends. This is why repentance is not a momentary matter. It is a way of life. It is a progressive state. This element is totally necessary for the forgiveness of sins, cleansing, purification, justification, sanctification, and glory.

Confession means that what a man has in his heart, he reveals to the representative of Christ, the Bishop or the Priest--whatever wrong he has done, whatever evil thing he has thought--all this is a necessary element for the forgiveness of sins. How can the Priest forgive if he does not know? And how can it be true repentance without confession?

Many people say, "I am embarrassed to speak about it." Naturally, sins are shameful. But a person should be ashamed when he commits a sin, not when he is confessing. Unfortunately, when we commit our sins not only are we not ashamed but we enjoy it at the time. Later we realize that this is spiritual poison coated with honey. Sin is the spiritual poison that withers the soul and brings about spiritual death.

Repentance and confession are not a trial or a court. It is a shelter for sinners, a hospital. The one who confesses is not judged or condemned. He is surrounded with love, comfort, sincere interest; he is taken care of, healed, assisted, treated by the physician, instructed, and forgiven.

The confessor is not a judge. He is a doctor, a loving father. He is not a warden, but an angel of freedom and forgiveness.

When there is true repentance and confession, remission is granted. The penance that the confessor gives is not a ransom for sins, but rather a pedagogical means for the learning of the one who confesses. It is the crutch of the paralytic, until his feet strengthen and he is able to continue freely. No sin is unforgivable except for the sin of unrepentance, which is, in essence, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. In other words, the one who will remain unforgiven is the one who does not believe that God can forgive and save.]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/9989/how-can-i-have-peace-and-silence-in-my-mind Fri, 12 Nov 2010 07:38:26 +0000 binC 9989@/community/discussions
I have these billions stupid, evil, sinful thoughts in my head. How can I get rid of them? ]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/9990/hardship Fri, 12 Nov 2010 10:55:58 +0000 Tzegemariam 9990@/community/discussions what should I do??????
Desperate servant

May God Bless
]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/9954/the-power-of-the-mind-is-this-the-devil-s-another-trick Thu, 04 Nov 2010 03:17:02 +0000 binC 9954@/community/discussions
They say what you think and believe comes true. How does this notion go with God? how on earth what I think will come true without God's will? the power of the mind bla bla bla ...what is this? why do we pray then? I think the devil is making us think we have the power over everything not God.

]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/9861/orthodoxy-and-evangelism Sat, 16 Oct 2010 10:36:35 +0000 kalsam 9861@/community/discussions https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/9975/lecture-in-london-25th-november Wed, 10 Nov 2010 04:54:07 +0000 peterfarrington 9975@/community/discussions hopefullly some other bishops and clergy.

The topic is very important. If we do not learn from the treatment
recieved by the Armenians then we should not be surprised to find
that Orthodox Christians, and other Christians, are still treated in a
genocidal manner today.

I commend this event to anyone in the London and South of England.

------------------------------------------------------------------

THE ANGLICAN AND EASTERN CHURCHES ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL CONSTANTINOPLE LECTURE
Thursday 25th November 2010
Lecture to be given by

Dr. Harry Hagopian

Knight of the Order of St Gregory
International Lawyer
Ecumenical Consultant & EU Middle East Political Advisor
Consultant to Campaign for Recognition of the Armenian Genocide (UK)
Author of “The Armenian Church in the Holy Land”

“The Armenian Genocide:  A Way Forward?” 

at

St Mary at Hill, Lovat Lane, London EC3R 8EE

5.30 pm   Evensong
6.00 pm   Lecture 
7.00 – 9.00 pm   Reception

(Tickets for the Reception : £15 per person)

Please apply for tickets for the Reception to:
The Secretary, Anglican & Eastern Churches Association
The Old Deanery, Dean’s Court, London EC4V 5AA
(closing dates for booking these tickets Friday 19th November)

Ticket application should be accompanied by a cheque for the appropriate sum,
payable to The Anglican & Eastern Churches Association

e-mail: janet.laws@btopenworld.com
Telephone 020 7248 6233
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Please send me ….. tickets for the Annual Constantinople Lecture Reception on
Thursday 25th November 2010 for which I enclose a cheque for £ …….. payable
to the Anglican & Eastern Churches Association.

Name ………………………………. Address………………………………..
]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/9958/what-would-you-do-if-this-happened Sat, 06 Nov 2010 11:56:17 +0000 [Deleted User] 9958@/community/discussions You can't change your answers, but you can submit another answer. Oh, and by the way, you can only see the results after you vote, so.........I would vote.

Father Peter: What would you do if this happened. I really want you to answer this because your answers have always been knowledgable in God.

]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/9900/what-does-it-mean-to-carry-your-cross Mon, 25 Oct 2010 03:02:08 +0000 Zoxsasi 9900@/community/discussions
Can someone explain this verse to me? Christ asked us to "carry our crosses ... and follow Him".
How?

Please answer the following points:

a) what exactly is your cross?
b) How exactly do you carry your cross (please give 3 examples)?
c) How do you not carry your cross (give 3 examples),
d) How do you avoid carrying your cross (2 examples)?
e) 1) I thought Christ carried our cross on our behalf (true or false?)? (please explain)
e) 2) What then is left for us to carry??
f) What are the consequences of not carrying your cross?
g) 1) How can you "lighten" the cross you are carrying?
g) 2) What are the consequences of doing so?
h) Can you carry someone else's cross?
i) Can you help someone to carry their cross??

Please keep your answers structured, clear and concise, and no more than 400 words per section.
You may use references where possible.
No long essays.

Thank you.]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/9940/long-nails-and-the-devil Mon, 01 Nov 2010 04:32:00 +0000 binC 9940@/community/discussions https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/9952/this-will-help-so-much Tue, 02 Nov 2010 18:20:40 +0000 [Deleted User] 9952@/community/discussions
Faith and Rest
We know that rest is important to God, and entering into God's rest is one of his gifts for us.

The key to receiving rest is faith.  By faith we leave behind the anxiety and activity of living for ourselves.  We enter a prayerful, annointed life of forgiveness, worship, wonder, fidelity and purpose.  God created us for such a life.

Now faith is not the ability to convince ourselves that white is black, that we are well when we are sick, or that pain and suffering are okay.  It is the childlike assurance, belief and loyalty that we have toward our loving father.  This is the faith that releases God's blessings into our own lives and into other people's lives through us.

The words of God in the Bible are like a scalpel, exposing and excising cancerous thoughts and attitudes that eat away at faith.  By meditating on God's words day and night they become part of us.  They are alive and active, like a divine surgeon, operating on our flesh and our spirit, transforming them back to his likeness.

Internalize verses from scripture, increase in faith as his words do their work on faith-destroying thoughts and attitudes picked up from Godless parts of our culture, and enter his rest as he leads and guides us, sharing the highs and lows of our lives, working together to establish his promises in the hearts and minds of the people he has put around us.

Have a blessed day in God!!  ;)

]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/9951/the-gospel-of-thomas Tue, 02 Nov 2010 15:12:41 +0000 mattia813 9951@/community/discussions
If you can answer this with references, that would be great.

God Bless.]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/9907/how-to-deny-yourself Mon, 25 Oct 2010 22:32:06 +0000 egyboy 9907@/community/discussions
I am hoping someone can direct me to something that can help answer the question which is:

How can one deny him/herself within the Coptic Orthodox Church? as Jesus said “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."

please pray for me and my weakness]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/9933/what-does-the-bible-say-about-ghosts Sat, 30 Oct 2010 18:02:59 +0000 [Deleted User] 9933@/community/discussions I am suscribed to a site called gotquestons.org which talks about the questions that we have that are answered in the bible. I get this weekly and so I thought that this would be beneficial to some people. I am not sure if this is a good idea or not, so please tell me if I should not do this again or continue to do this. Also, I am not sure if this is the right answers so Father Peter, if this is right information, please let me know....hope you enjoy!!!!



Question: "What does the Bible say about ghosts / hauntings?"

Answer: Is there such a thing as ghosts? The answer to this question depends on what precisely is meant by the term “ghosts.” If the term means “spirit beings,” the answer is a qualified “yes.” If the term means “spirits of people who have died,” the answer is “no.” The Bible makes it abundantly clear that there are spirit beings, both good and evil. But the Bible negates the idea that the spirits of deceased human beings can remain on earth and “haunt” the living.

Hebrews 9:27 declares, “Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” That is what happens to a person’s soul-spirit after death—judgment. The result of this judgment is heaven for the believer (2 Corinthians 5:6-8; Philippians 1:23) and hell for the unbeliever (Matthew 25:46; Luke 16:22-24). There is no in-between. There is no possibility of remaining on earth in spirit form as a “ghost.” If there are such things as ghosts, according to the Bible, they absolutely cannot be the disembodied spirits of deceased human beings.

The Bible teaches very clearly that there are indeed spirit beings who can connect with and appear in our physical world. The Bible identifies these beings as angels and demons. Angels are spirit beings who are faithful in serving God. Angels are righteous, good, and holy. Demons are fallen angels, angels who rebelled against God. Demons are evil, deceptive, and destructive. According to 2 Corinthians 11:14-15, demons masquerade as “angels of light” and as “servants of righteousness.” Appearing as a “ghost” and impersonating a deceased human being definitely seem to be within the power and abilities that demons possess.

The closest biblical example of a “haunting” is found in Mark 5:1-20. A legion of demons possessed a man and used the man to haunt a graveyard. There were no ghosts involved. It was a case of a normal person being controlled by demons to terrorize the people of that area. Demons only seek to “kill, steal, and destroy” (John 10:10). They will do anything within their power to deceive people, to lead people away from God. This is very likely the explanation of “ghostly” activity today. Whether it is called a ghost, a ghoul, or a poltergeist, if there is genuine evil spiritual activity occurring, it is the work of demons.

What about instances in which “ghosts” act in “positive” ways? What about psychics who claim to summon the deceased and gain true and useful information from them? Again, it is crucial to remember that the goal of demons is to deceive. If the result is that people trust in a psychic instead of God, a demon will be more than willing to reveal true information. Even good and true information, if from a source with evil motives, can be used to mislead, corrupt, and destroy.

Interest in the paranormal is becoming increasingly common. There are individuals and businesses that claim to be “ghost-hunters,” who for a price will rid your home of ghosts. Psychics, séances, tarot cards, and mediums are increasingly considered normal. Human beings are innately aware of the spiritual world. Sadly, instead of seeking the truth about the spirit world by communing with God and studying His Word, many people allow themselves to be led astray by the spirit world. The demons surely laugh at the spiritual mass-deception that exists in the world today.

]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/9941/salvation-for-others Mon, 01 Nov 2010 08:37:39 +0000 gregorytheSinner 9941@/community/discussions
As most people know thanks to the internet, HH has been under attack lately because of many issues.  One of those issues was HE Abba Bishoy's televised statement that there is no salvation outside of Orthodoxy.  I was reading this article about a Catholic priest named Fr. Leonard Feeney who excommunicated back in the 50's over the same idea that there is no salvation outside of Catholicism. 

To be honest, I still don't know what is our Church's view on this subject [I've heard numerous, sometimes contridicting views.]  What I would like to know however is, does the Church support HE Abba Bishoy's statement, or has it distanced itself from it?

I was talking to a Protestant fellow, who was going of the deep end about such a remark.

]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/9931/i-think-this-topic-might-be-poisonous Sat, 30 Oct 2010 04:33:19 +0000 mikeforjesus 9931@/community/discussions https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/9932/heeellppp-pplleeassseeee Sat, 30 Oct 2010 07:05:00 +0000 Copticdeacon 9932@/community/discussions
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6



to live as if we were to trust in the unseen (faith) is to live blindly, with humanistic hope. all we have is an idea of an idea [G-d], and for some that is enough to "trust" in but it isn't for most of the world.
Do you think it would be better be to a Christ-like non-christian, or a Non-Christ like Christian?
Should we live to trust in all the unseen? Or just what we think/want/believe? Isn't that dependent on us and therefore not truly or necessarily there?
Faith is an idea, a hope, a trust, a desire, mixed with a man vs self relationship. If there are divine wonders invovled, then so be it lol no one will ever "know".
that quote is impossible to live by, because we aren't then living by faith, but by expectation, manipulation or obligation... i mean we can trust in our ideas of god, and christ, and every other "god" out there, but does that change anything? Wouldn't it be the same thing as trusting in a higher version of self, a self-actualized state of being?? I find it actually more enlightening to picture a perfect me, and aim for that even though it's intangible. The aim for perfection is enough for the world, and if we all did that God wouldn't have a purpose. I mean we always give OUR lives purpose (protestantism) but do we give God purpose?
What is your purpose for him? Is he independent of us or are we dependent on him? Either way we're in no place to trust anything that leaves us in either place.

We try to humanize God, and I get that, you're a Christian, and that's cool I think it's a great thing for the world, but in every part of that quote you can just apply it to yourself. (trust in yourself and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge life, love, beauty, and your path will be as straight as it should be if there were or weren't a god." Straight paths are boring anyways. I like a challenge, and I like to challenge people.

There is much we don't know, and its being comfortable with the unknown, trusting in that, (with accepting the possibility that god might not be "real", or the way we think)
that allows for courage, strength, and hope. I don't see where choosing God over anything benefits the mind. Do you? (I'm speaking from a philosophical perspective and not a religious one here so please don't respond with an over-spiritual defense lol I'm really looking for your humble honesty)

One of the biggest things in this world I wish I could change were the amount of fear (in certain things) and the amount of humble love (in all things) and I think having ONE faith narrows your reach, and creates a barrier between humanity. If God is truly the highest unintelligible form of perfection, then we won't have any idea of it. (at least a sustainably accurate one) And thinking one faith is more right than another, or true, is a preposterous way of addressing the hate in this world. It's having ONE faith, in what is not known or ever to be known, outside of religions, that allows for true loving freedom and respect. Or at least that seems to be a more ideal world. (And if you're not living for this world but the one you believe is after, then again youre trusting in an unknown you've already decided is there, and living for that while disregarding the only true known life we have is convincingly regrettable. ]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/9908/matanias Tue, 26 Oct 2010 06:48:39 +0000 abrahamf 9908@/community/discussions https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/9891/why-do-we-need-god Fri, 22 Oct 2010 18:03:36 +0000 abrahamf 9891@/community/discussions
PFM]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/9888/i-don-t-know-what-to-choose-please-help Fri, 22 Oct 2010 02:27:40 +0000 9888@/community/discussions https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/9889/difference-between-god-and-angel Fri, 22 Oct 2010 06:26:08 +0000 abrahamf 9889@/community/discussions He later gave me a very convincing answer, which i think is correct.

I just want to see what people think? Ofcourse he is the creator and they are the created, he is the Almighty, infinite, the one with out beginning God. But i think the answer is a bit deeper.

Pray for my weak self  ]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/9884/i-need-help-i-think-i-lost-faith Thu, 21 Oct 2010 11:05:03 +0000 Ioannes 9884@/community/discussions
I guess this is a cry for help because nobody in my church seems to care.]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/9851/evolution-fact-or-fiction Mon, 11 Oct 2010 21:27:50 +0000 coptic boy777 9851@/community/discussions
this is his thought:

big bang
primordial soup
evolution into every organism on this earth

To what degree does the orthodox church agree on evolution if it even does?
How can I counter this scientific theory?]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/9875/tasbeha-org-broken Mon, 18 Oct 2010 20:49:18 +0000 deaconmark123 9875@/community/discussions https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/9872/blind-man-healed-on-tv Mon, 18 Oct 2010 13:10:09 +0000 Zoxsasi 9872@/community/discussions
I just wanted to tell everyone about this remarkable miracle that happened last week in Egypt:

My cousin in Egypt just told us that Fr. Makari Younan healed a blind muslim man in Church last week.

The video of it is on YouTube, you can hear his mother screaming in the Church when her son starts to see again. Its quite touching actually.

Im glad that our Church is helping out muslims, healing them, praying for them, and blessing them, but I was just wondering if any of this will help them stop hating us for being Christian??

Glory be to our Lord!

]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/9859/help-me Thu, 14 Oct 2010 21:09:49 +0000 deaconmark123 9859@/community/discussions https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/9864/thinking-of-going-to-an-ethiopian-church Sat, 16 Oct 2010 21:08:35 +0000 Ioannes 9864@/community/discussions
I am kind of at a loss as it has become abundantly clear that some feel that I am a liar and would choose to just put on a show as to actually take action. A complete loss of words, I mean should I just stop caring and worry more about being a doctor, pharmacist, or engineer so that I can make alot of money?

I have found a church in Michigan and one of the priests is american and the nice thing is we understand one another! I feel much more comfortable with him because I feel that some of the people in the Coptic church have a hard time understanding me, not because they are dumb or anything but because of the cultural differences and what not. Problem is the Ethiopian church is like 45 min away, but I am so sick the culture, absolutely disgusted at times.

I dont know why I am sharing this, I guess what are your thoughts?]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/9853/should-santa-claus-be-banned Tue, 12 Oct 2010 07:22:27 +0000 Zoxsasi 9853@/community/discussions
I would like to present to you a few dangers that arise with stories like Santa Claus, and leave you to answer the question:

Should we, as Christians, be associating ourselves with Santa Claus? Is this edifying?

Why I am asking is as follows:

The only Christian teaching most Christians have in the west is of Santa Claus, 3 wise men, Christmas trees, presents etc..

There's nothing inherently wrong with any of that, in my opinion, but far-fetched stories, like a man who rides on a raindeer driven slate, and comes down chimineys to give presents to little kids, although the character is genuinely more admirable than Batman, or Superman, it is not true.

The character "Santa Claus" may have evolved from the life of a real saint (I think it would be saint Nicholas), but when we start to add lies, or exaggerate the truth about the life of a saint, we fall in a huge pit: Their lives are examples for us. We end up glorifying the saint MORE than God. This is not right.

He is not the reason why we celebrate Christmas.

But more importantly, my concern is this:

The sole Christian education most people receive IS from stories of Santa Claus. If this story has become so far-fetched that 80% is now fiction, and the Church seems to support it, then what else are supporting that isn't true??

You wonder why Christians in the west are losing faith and becoming atheists, and I really believe that this is the ultimate reason. They can easily come to the conclusion that if such characters are not true, nor the events in their lives are not true, and we have endorsed them, then why should anything else be true??


What do you think??]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/9855/prophecy Wed, 13 Oct 2010 16:43:18 +0000 copticuser20 9855@/community/discussions
‎"When you go to war in your land against the enemy who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the LORD your God, and you will be saved from your enemies." Numbers 10:9]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/9191/jesus-or-mohammad-talkshow Mon, 03 May 2010 07:40:37 +0000 kefleyohannes 9191@/community/discussions
it shows on abnsat.com and it is hosted by Sam Shamoun a Syrian Orthodox Brother and David Wood a converted Atheist to Christianity..

They are both Christian Apologists, meaning the clarify Christianity to muslims mainly, they host a show where they show us the fallacies of islam and mohammad and then allow muslims worldwide to phone in and have their say and debate if they want..

watch it!!!

abnsat.com .....the schedule for the show is announced before hand on davids blog answeringmuslims.com ]]>