So often we lack any sense of historical perspective in America. We love to use the saying about he who does not know history is doomed to repeat it. Then we promptly go out and make a mistake that could have been avoided with just a little knowledge of history. You see, the typical American […]
Orthodox blessing outline
OK, it has been a long day and a good celebration of July 4. I am tired, so let me put up a short lesson from Pithless Thoughts. Above you can see how an Orthodox priest’s hand is positioned when he makes the sign of the cross and why he holds his hand in that […]
On naming babies
The Orthodox are supposed to name their child after a saint or a godly concept (Sophia, Agapos, etc.). That saint can be an Old Testament or a New Testament saint. Obviously a New Testament saint means anyone in Church history from any culture. It may include reasonable derivations of the saint’s name into another language. […]
Christian kitsch and false spirituality
One of the saddest things that happened to much of Christianity in the USA has been the way in which spirituality has been replaced by the purchasing of Christian kitsch. We buy our thin volumes which promise us easy ways to become spiritual and easy ways to witness to others. We purchase our cheap “Jesus […]
The dangers of a convert’s blog
Well, yet again with another Pithless Thoughts comic. This one made me chuckle because of the Episcopal Assembly currently going on. I am a convert; I admit it. And, I understand the convert tendency to be looking not simply for the Church of the Apostles but also for total doctrinal agreement by all involved and […]
Thoughtful opinon on the birth control pill
Yesterday, I posted a note on the 50th anniversary of the birth control pill. A couple of posters asked me some questions, for which I was not able to give full answers. But, today I found this editorial piece by an “aging sex symbol” (her self-description) that has some thoughtful reflections on the birth control […]
The Birth Control Pill turns 50
The birth control pill turned 50 this year. Time magazine celebrated the anniversary with a 5,000-word look at the sociological history of its development and use. And I have to say that while the piece reads a bit like a love letter to 1960s feminism, author Nancy Gibbs discussed religion and values throughout the piece. […]
Bishops, absolute and hierarchical ethics
Let me finish this subject quickly and briefly, as I often have more of an interest in the details of a subject than many people do. When Christians debate ethics, they do not often think about how they look upon God’s rules. In the United States, it is quite common among many to assume that […]
Bishops and ethics
I said yesterday that the basis that the bishops use to make at least some of their moral judgments is hierarchical ethics. What does that mean? Well, actually, the terms that I used yesterday are an oversimplification. Let me show you a more complex chart. DESCRIPTION STRENGTH/WEAKNESS EXAMPLE ETHICAL RELATIVISM – No principles are universally […]
Fetal cells, child safety, and Roman Catholic bishops
Okay, but what about the second part of the bishop’s statement? (If this is your first time here, you need to dial back to the 26th of April and begin reading forwards to this day. Many in the pro-birth movement have taken the attitude that if the vaccine is made from fetal cells from an […]
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