https://tasbeha.org/community/categories/faith-issues/p52/feed.rss Mon, 22 Jun 2026 18:56:43 +0000 Faith Issues - Tasbeha.org Community en-CA https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/7347/appropriate-orthodox-response Sun, 16 Nov 2008 06:50:21 +0000 rpm 7347@/community/discussions         I was just wondering what would be the best approaches as lay persons to show Orthodoxy in proper light. Not everyone has the ability to debate and control theological discussions especially in the company of other Christians. I also believe that Orthodoxy has to be lived daily and is not something that appeals at a merely emotional level. In that sense, it is an acquired taste that comes with a lot of communion,patience,soul searching, introspection and one which has a lot of depth and is firmly rooted.Orthodoxy is not the news-making, publicity-seeking, hype-oriented type of faith but is one for the quiet, calm & composed types.
       
        I believe many of us would be exposed to various other Christians at the workplace / school / college / family gatherings  etc.Could some of you share your experiences regarding the following:

1. Converts to Orthodoxy seem to have more fire and vigor while the cradle types seem a bit laid back and lukewarm.I
    a have been firmly orthodox  all along but lately, my interest in Orthodoxy has increased in direct proportion to
    opposition from family & friends. Is my motive justified? Anyone in similar situations?

2. I know its in there (Scripture & Church Fathers) but how does one explain briefly the balanced / moderate view of 
  Orthodoxy (when compared to Catholicism on one side and Protestantism on the other) towards issues like veneration
  of St.Mary and the Saints, rituals, prayers to and for the departed. Asking them (other Christians) to read up is likely
  to put off many.

God bless,
Paulos]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/7314/im-having-a-hard-time Mon, 10 Nov 2008 09:37:50 +0000 bigeee 7314@/community/discussions https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/7244/there-probably-is-no-god-so-stop-worrying-and-enjoy-your-lives Tue, 21 Oct 2008 11:30:45 +0000 7244@/community/discussions
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/7681914.stm

What is one slogan a Christian can write to make others be aware that God does exist?

I'm worried as those who are mocking our faith and enticing others into "enjoyment of life" with no rules have a much louder voice.


]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/7306/god Fri, 07 Nov 2008 14:32:11 +0000 andrew8345 7306@/community/discussions https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/7281/proposition-8 Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:23:43 +0000 7281@/community/discussions
Basically, those who are proponents of gay marriage argue and say that marriage is not only a religious term, but a civil term in its own right; and that gays having the legal right to marry in no way impacts the faith term of marriage or the sacrament of marriage.

Is this true? Is marriage a civil term or a religious term?? Which is it? Did the civil society adopt this term from the religious society, or was it vice - versa? Did the religious community adopt this term from the civil?

]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/7275/intercessions-of-the-saints Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:47:18 +0000 mtfahmy123 7275@/community/discussions
I have a quick question.  I am sure many people asked this question before but excuse me for repeating it.  If someone is dying and asked for the intercession of St. Mina.  If that person lived or died, would it be because of the will of God or the prayers of the Saint?  If that person lived, people would say that it was the intercession of the saints.  If that person died, we should say that was the will of God.

Recently, I removed all links I have on my PC to websites that discuss miracles.  Any message i get about miracles of St. Kirolos or St. Mina and so on... I would delete it without reading it.  Recently I have seen people talking about miracles and some other very religious people who prayed a lot but didn't get what they asked for.  At the opposite, the good people got very bad and evil things happened to them.  I believe it was all about the will of God.    I am not asking why because we have to submit to God's will.  I just don't believe that the saints really hear us.  I used to believe in everything but I changed especially after a recent experience.  I spoke with the Father of Confession, and he never gave me a good answer more than "we should focus on the Kingdom of God".  He was right.

I am writing this post and I hope that someone proves that yes the prayers of the saints count.  Sorry, I know that no one could prove that. 

Pray for me,

I am an orthodox.]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/7272/gay-marriages Mon, 27 Oct 2008 03:14:56 +0000 7272@/community/discussions
A lot of people believe that they are born gay, and that the Church discriminates against them for living a lifestyle that they have no choice in.

How true is that? and what does the Church or our clergy have to say to someone who feels this way?


Thanks]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/7253/christian-apologetics-answering-tough-questions-about-the-true-faith Thu, 23 Oct 2008 17:16:27 +0000 gmankbadi 7253@/community/discussions       The ultimate aim of this particular post and all incoming inquiries is to establish reason(s) for that which we hold to be true; primarily the Christian faith. As such I have developed this topic so as to have any intellectual questions in regard to the foundational beliefs of Christianity answered, by eitheir myself or any other member who feels they can contribute to the dicussion beneficially. For those who have concluded Christianity to be wholly sound apart from any reasons (such that the work of the Holy Spirit is reason enough), I say, carry on with spirtual growth and continue to be an inspiration unto others. For all others, questions or comments are welcomed.]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/7286/please-complain Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:21:33 +0000 7286@/community/discussions -------------------------

If you live in any free democracy, please complain if you see something wrong. I just noticed something really interesting:

Two celebrities in the UK made a phone call that turned out to be a sick joke. Now, a few people complained. Not many, only a few. They thought (the celebrities) what they were doing was funny. But, because of this few people, 27,000 people also complained. This complaint worked its way up to government who insisted that moral standards should be upheld in entertainment.

One celebrity quit his job and apologised unreservedly, and the other just apologised. But, none of this would have happened if people didnt complain.

I think we see a lot of bad things, whether at school, Uni, work or even in our own communities. I think those who speak out 1st about something being wrong or offensive are not only brave, but pioneers for a better life for everyone.

(( Im sorry if this is not the right section for this comment))]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/7238/confession-death Mon, 20 Oct 2008 19:35:52 +0000 7238@/community/discussions
+mahraeel+]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/7280/christians-and-jews-under-islam Wed, 29 Oct 2008 01:15:54 +0000 Melchoir 7280@/community/discussions
Please be kind and help me out with this story. After I've read the article, I came to the conclusion that the guy can't be a Christian -- an Orthodox Christian. I have never heard or read such an exagerated sympathy towards Islam from an Orthodox Christian. Is he an Egyptian? What do you think of his version of the story?

Please follow the link:

http://www.antiochian.org/sites/antiochian.org/files/OCTOBER 2008 WORD.pdf.pdf

"CHRISTIANS AND JEWS UNDER ISLAM"
by Najib Saliba, Ph.D.

Thanks]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/7252/intercession-of-the-theotokos Wed, 22 Oct 2008 22:14:29 +0000 PopeKyrillos 7252@/community/discussions
PK]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/7152/is-it-sinful-to-preach-in-saudi-arabia Sat, 27 Sep 2008 17:53:35 +0000 7152@/community/discussions https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/7184/protestent-catholic-songs Sun, 05 Oct 2008 20:23:59 +0000 7184@/community/discussions
u can probably guess where i am going with this topic.  I want to know why abouna gets mad when we sing these songs.  An example: "Our God is an awesome God"
I dont mean during communion, but like before a meeting and stuff.  i dont think there is anything wrong with singing tehse songs as long as they dont interfere with our culture.  i Mean, if we arent to sing it y are they written in our song books!!!!

+mahraeel+]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/7214/the-trinity Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:44:52 +0000 7214@/community/discussions
Pray for me]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/7077/how-could-the-devil-be-allowed-to-enter-paradise Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:25:58 +0000 sakmak 7077@/community/discussions
I have a question on the Garden of Eden. If the Garden of Eden was Paradise, why was Satan allowed to enter it in order to tempt Adam & Eve? Did God allow him to enter Paradise, or did he "sneak in" or something? I really can't imagine that God wouldn't realize that the Devil snuck in, so there's no way that happened. So, why would God allow Satan to enter Paradise to tempt Adam & Eve?

Thanks and God bless]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/7180/the-coming-s-of-christ Sun, 05 Oct 2008 11:07:11 +0000 gregorytheSinner 7180@/community/discussions
my question is: Was it ever mentioned that the Messiaha would come twice?  once when He came,and once more at the end of time?]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/7153/very-important-spiritual-questions-please-help-if-you-can Sat, 27 Sep 2008 19:15:01 +0000 7153@/community/discussions
Also
"but of that day and hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father"
what does this mean? How can the Son not know if he is God? Please help or please give me some resources?]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/6605/contemplations-on-the-holy-bible Fri, 16 May 2008 16:43:59 +0000 6605@/community/discussions
I'd like to start a thread whereby we can share our contemplations with each other during the progress of our readings of the Holy Bible. This is also a good chance whereby any thoughts or ideas we have that are not orthodox, can be KINDLY corrected by our friends, the admin.

Also, and i feel that this of a personal issue for me, that I have some pretty cool contemplations, and then I find out that someone else has already thought of them. (Like my discovery of the parallel between Joseph and Our Lord Jesus Christ. Both had 12 brothers/disciples. THeir disciples/brothers sold them/betrayed them, both suffered for being righteous, and both gave food to the world to save them from death: sin vs famine.) That's a summary of my 1st contemplation at the age of 17.

Now I have another contemplation:

Contemplation 2: Did you notice that we fell from grace when we ate the fruit of the tree, and yet we attain it again when we eat the Holy Body and Blood of Our Lord.

Contemplation 3: Did you notice that right near the beginning of the 10 Commandments, God asks us to not use His Name in vain? And yet, at the VERY beginning of Our Lord's Prayer, Christ taught us to say :"Hallowed be Thy Name".

Contemplation 4: Did you notice that it was due to a tree that we lost paradise, and its also due to the cross (which is described as a "tree" in the New Testament) that we gain paradise.

Contemplation 5: The prodigal Son:

* The prodigal son asked for his father's  inheritance WHEN the father was still alive. We usually acquire inheritance when the parent(s) die. Therefore, this is an insult to the father. Its literally saying :"I want to live my life, but without You".
Its very insulting.

* The son found himself eating pods (in fact, if i'm not mistaken, he wished to eat the pods of the pigs!!). Pods contain no or very little calorific value. They fill you up, but you are always hungry afterwards. This is what the son wished to eat. Things that fill him up, yet leave him empty. This can be seen as 2 things: Either the love the world has for us (no matter what we attain, we are still left empty and wanting more), or our need to be filled with something that quenches our thirst and hunger: Like the bread and water of Life. Or, it is our need to be in the Likeness of God. - I haven't made my mind up yet... but - i thought of this contemplation. WHen I make my mind up, i'll let u know.
Given that he wanted to eat the pods of the pigs, this shows that this food wasn't for him, yet that was his desire.

Contemplation 6: No one noticed this: BUT IT WAS BRILLIANT:
Saint Paul gets thrown into jail for curing a girl who was possessed with demons or evil spirits. Her managers (from what I remember) didnt like her being cured because she was profitable to them being possessed. Anyway, long story short, they throw Paul in Jail. When they realise that he's a roman etc, they released him secretly from jail. So, Paul is released from jail.. right? Rather than going along his merry way, he tells them: "No! U publicly threw me in jail, and you secretly let me go!! " and so he demanded an apology from them. (perhaps i missed some stuff) - but i thought it was really wise to do that. I just found that really cool.

Sorry.. its not much of a contemplation, but - perhaps someone wants to contemplate on that???

* I read the books from His Emminence Metropolitan Bishoy. I'll be honest with you, i'm contemplating on his contemplations. They were so good!!  ]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/7176/views-on-prayer Sat, 04 Oct 2008 15:42:27 +0000 7176@/community/discussions if you ever confess and ask abouna for advice, his first word is prayer. Right? he says pray and everything will be okay.  but we already know we should pray.  we want more advice.  not just prayer.    we dont want  an answer that is there... we want more...why is that?

also, what is the right method to pray? how? and i dont mean bless our parents, priests, and help those in need... but i mean in depth of spirituality.  what is the right prayer that satisfies our soul and Jesus himself?
>>sry if i confused any1=)

+mahraeel+]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/7149/why-do-girls-have-to-cover-their-hair-in-the-altar Sat, 27 Sep 2008 02:17:53 +0000 MeeMz 7149@/community/discussions https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/7148/when-did-judas-betray-jesus Sat, 27 Sep 2008 02:16:40 +0000 MeeMz 7148@/community/discussions When did Judas Betray Jesus? Was it on the Wednesday of Holy week?]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/7115/what-should-i-do-when-i-hear-about-heretics-muslims-etc Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:12:14 +0000 7115@/community/discussions
It says in the old testament, that when the jews were about to go to war, they cried and moaned to God and God answered them (eg. Samuel, Judith, Judges).

Is this what we should do? OR...................should we be unaffected by these kind of stories. Meaning, should a person be unaffected because of his unbreakable faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not that he does care about those christians who are suffering, etc. But rather, he has full confidence in the success of the church and so he does not get scared of anything.

But, if its right not to get scared, were thos Jews in the old testament of weak faith? Didn't God hear their prayers?

So whcih is right:
1.) Cry to God in anguish (see story of Judith)
2.) Pay no attention in it because "the gates of Hades shall not prevail"]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/7114/ezekiel-3 Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:04:10 +0000 mikeforjesus 7114@/community/discussions http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ezekiel 3&version=50

Ezekiel Is a Watchman
 
16 Now it came to pass at the end of seven days that the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: 18 When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. 19 Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.
20 “Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die; because you did not give him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand. 21 Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man that the righteous should not sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live because he took warning; also you will have delivered your soul.”
22 Then the hand of the LORD was upon me there, and He said to me, “Arise, go out into the plain, and there I shall talk with you.”
23 So I arose and went out into the plain, and behold, the glory of the LORD stood there, like the glory which I saw by the River Chebar; and I fell on my face. 24 Then the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet, and spoke with me and said to me: “Go, shut yourself inside your house. 25 And you, O son of man, surely they will put ropes on you and bind you with them, so that you cannot go out among them. 26 I will make your tongue cling to the roof of your mouth, so that you shall be mute and not be one to rebuke them, for they are a rebellious house. 27 But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD.’ He who hears, let him hear; and he who refuses, let him refuse; for they are a rebellious house.





What does it mean the prophet will have to give account? will his soul perish forever? or will he just die a physical death? how does this apply to us? aren't we told not to judge and concentrate on our own sins? then what is the point of servants? if they have nothing to minister to others... proverbs says "do not rebuke a scoffer for he will hate you" "rebuke a wise man and he will love you"
More I want to ask is there no chance for repentance for this righteous man who committed iniquity? David the prophet commited sin and he was forgiven and restored. I know the bible says a righteous man falls seven times and rises up again. So why does there seem to be a contradiction?  Does this falling seven times.. is that only acceptable to beginners?



 



]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/7111/will-he-really-find-faith Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:50:44 +0000 7111@/community/discussions https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/7080/sin-without-satan Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:12:38 +0000 godislove260 7080@/community/discussions
Because Lucifer sinned without anyone tempting him, in fact, his own ego is what made him sin..

So could it be that Adam and Eve would have sinned because of their ego, even if God had created them good???
And generally, for us, is the fact that we've got the fallen nature the only reason why we are so vulnerable to Satan's wars on us???

Thanks in advance

Please pray for me
God Bless]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/7103/agbeya Tue, 09 Sep 2008 03:57:32 +0000 7103@/community/discussions I ran into a verse in the Bible that made me wonder: doesn't this apply to the agbeya? It's Matt.6:7
I know all the reasons for praying from the agbeya but still...
Anyone who knows more about this????
???]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/7063/euphemisms Sat, 23 Aug 2008 05:15:52 +0000 mikeforjesus 7063@/community/discussions
example : darn for damn, gosh for God.

why would even damn be sinful? unless I am damning someone. If I say damn it because I cannot overcome something and am mad instead of cursing God is that sinful?

and saying gosh when shocked - is that sinful?




]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/7076/revelations-18 Thu, 28 Aug 2008 03:16:26 +0000 PopeKyrillos 7076@/community/discussions
PK]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/7075/help-needed-with-interpretation Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:24:50 +0000 godislove260 7075@/community/discussions
But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, (1 Corinthians 12:24)

The members of the Body of Christ being all humans... Could it be that what's meant is because Eve was first to sin, women have sometimes been unrightfully looked at as inferior in society (thus 'lacking' in honour), which is why God chose a woman, St. Mary to be given greater honour than any human ????

Thanks in advance

God bless
Please pray for me]]>