10-19-2007, 11:07 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-dhu+Oct 19 2007, 12:46 AM-->QUOTE(dhu @ Oct 19 2007, 12:46 AM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->He refers to Deschner who has not been translated.
<!--QuoteBegin--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->© He claims that the Orthodox Churches, because they represent
'Eastern Christianity', are tolerant. One could interpret his claims
in a charitable way and assume that he is saying the following:
somehow, 'Eastern Christianity' is more prone to being more tolerant
in civic life than 'Western Christianity'. I disagree with this claim
on historical grounds. The history of 'Eastern Christianity' is every
bit as violent as the history of the 'Western Christianity'. [For
those who know German, I would suggest the following work of Karlheinz
Deschner. He has so far written 6 volumes of the history of
Christianity, called, Kriminalgeschichte des Christentums. The title
translates as "The Criminal History of Christianities" and the first
six volumes are about 'Eastern Christianity'.]<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
[right][snapback]74400[/snapback][/right]
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Revealing the mistery behinde the 'tolerance' of orthodox christians.
First of all ,persecutions against pagans and heretics was not uncommon in the orthodox world(persecution of paulicians,russian inquisition to name a few) .
So were these 'tolerance' came from?
1-there was alwais a curent in christian world that have more positive aproach to pagans and heretics and for the rigth free will in choosing religion.These curent didnt impose as the rule,was more like the exception.
2-starting whit 14 century(even earlier in some cases),in bysantine world we witness the birth of a movement equivalent to western humanism.However these curent didnt become seculare(was more like a divino-humanism) and didnt have the power of western humanism.STil it has a role in some monahal reforms and hysichast movement).
3-this tolerant curent become a force only in the last 200 years.Orthodox(priest or simple belivers) today like to see them selfs as tolerant, victims of agresive catholics(or muslims),working on the inside self in contrast whit material external catholic view.
But these make orthodox tolerant? while still claim-the pagans/heretics are siners for their wrong views.
Unlike their predecesors,orthodox today put the accent on the devensive intolerance-do not talk whit heretics,do not read heretic books(yes this is a sin,one of the 9 church comands),do not pray whit a heretic/pagan,do not even wash next to a heretic/pagan.And orthodox indeed see the heathens as deluded by satan.
While western christians in some denominations put the accent on ofensive intolerance-convert the heretic/pagan by any means(force,coruption etc),destroy the heathen.
Also,if you read the military doctrine of the bysantine empire,you gona observ the defensive spirit there in contrast whit ofensive spirit of catholic and muslim war doctrines.
Orthodox intolerance is mingled today especialy whit nationalism .In Russia others religions are not welcomed if they are not part of the 5 NATIONAL russian religions(orthodox,islam,buddhism,judaism etc).
In Greece orthodoxy is part of national identity(even atheist greek claim to be orthodox) and non-greek orthodox are not welcomed as well.
<!--QuoteBegin--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->© He claims that the Orthodox Churches, because they represent
'Eastern Christianity', are tolerant. One could interpret his claims
in a charitable way and assume that he is saying the following:
somehow, 'Eastern Christianity' is more prone to being more tolerant
in civic life than 'Western Christianity'. I disagree with this claim
on historical grounds. The history of 'Eastern Christianity' is every
bit as violent as the history of the 'Western Christianity'. [For
those who know German, I would suggest the following work of Karlheinz
Deschner. He has so far written 6 volumes of the history of
Christianity, called, Kriminalgeschichte des Christentums. The title
translates as "The Criminal History of Christianities" and the first
six volumes are about 'Eastern Christianity'.]<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
[right][snapback]74400[/snapback][/right]
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Revealing the mistery behinde the 'tolerance' of orthodox christians.
First of all ,persecutions against pagans and heretics was not uncommon in the orthodox world(persecution of paulicians,russian inquisition to name a few) .
So were these 'tolerance' came from?
1-there was alwais a curent in christian world that have more positive aproach to pagans and heretics and for the rigth free will in choosing religion.These curent didnt impose as the rule,was more like the exception.
2-starting whit 14 century(even earlier in some cases),in bysantine world we witness the birth of a movement equivalent to western humanism.However these curent didnt become seculare(was more like a divino-humanism) and didnt have the power of western humanism.STil it has a role in some monahal reforms and hysichast movement).
3-this tolerant curent become a force only in the last 200 years.Orthodox(priest or simple belivers) today like to see them selfs as tolerant, victims of agresive catholics(or muslims),working on the inside self in contrast whit material external catholic view.
But these make orthodox tolerant? while still claim-the pagans/heretics are siners for their wrong views.
Unlike their predecesors,orthodox today put the accent on the devensive intolerance-do not talk whit heretics,do not read heretic books(yes this is a sin,one of the 9 church comands),do not pray whit a heretic/pagan,do not even wash next to a heretic/pagan.And orthodox indeed see the heathens as deluded by satan.
While western christians in some denominations put the accent on ofensive intolerance-convert the heretic/pagan by any means(force,coruption etc),destroy the heathen.
Also,if you read the military doctrine of the bysantine empire,you gona observ the defensive spirit there in contrast whit ofensive spirit of catholic and muslim war doctrines.
Orthodox intolerance is mingled today especialy whit nationalism .In Russia others religions are not welcomed if they are not part of the 5 NATIONAL russian religions(orthodox,islam,buddhism,judaism etc).
In Greece orthodoxy is part of national identity(even atheist greek claim to be orthodox) and non-greek orthodox are not welcomed as well.