[alskdjreyfd]

Choosing to change religion can have far consequences for future generations. For example if an orthodox Christian would become Muslim, he would renounce the Liturgy prayers that happens in orthodox Church for almost 2000 years now, that can take souls of departed from hell and move to heaven. His next generations, while being Muslim would possibly not be the beneficiary of these prayers until God would allow his next generations to return to his Church. More than that, his next generations trapped by the new and foreign teachings may feel compel to attack the Church accusing it of idolatry and other perceived problems that actually do not exist.

[crycleascentyv]

I'm not really looking to win any arguments. I don't understand a lot of what goes on (on a Sunday morning) nor the why behind it, but I'm okay with that. I'm learning. I'm reading. I'm praying. I'm asking for guidance and direction. I appreciate the historical proofs and the proof texts, but a lot of the other conversation is a bit off base.

Neither of our sets of parents are overtly hostile to Orthodoxy nor our exploration of it. There is concern, because it's so different from the way we were raised. More than anything, I just wish I had all of the nice eloquence with our parents that I have with others who ask about or spiritual journey.

It's a strange world when epistemology changes so drastically and you don't have easy, ready proof texts to fall back on.

[jinnamys]

Caleb,

This might be odd question, but have you asked your parents/in-laws to sit down in a meeting with a Priest and discuss this one-on-one. Of course it might take several meetings. But perhaps this might help your parents better understand.

I think taking your parents to Divine Liturgy was a good thing but perhaps it might have been easier to first explain what the Divine Liturtgy is, how it is performed, and what the origins are of it.

Just some simple advice from a sinner.

-Jason

[Daruhuw]

Caleb,

Let me give you some of my own experience. My parents questioned my conversion to Orthodoxy. Being devout evangelical protestants, they could not understand why I would go so far afield. I did not argue, I did not try to prove to them I was right, I did not give them books to read, I did not have them meet with my priest. All I did was to live my life as an Orthodox Christian as best I could. Over time, they saw the fruit of that decision and not only do they accept me as an Orthodox Christian but proudly display the photos of their son the Russian Orthodox priest on the fridge. I have been called by them to counsel some of their friends who have also run into the Orthodox faith (either as relatives of those who have converted or who are themselves inquirers). I now do give them books to read and discuss issues of faith and belief (not to prove that I am right and they are wrong, but to come to a common understanding) and they visit the Church whenever I am there. I have been asked to bless their marriage with a molieben on their 50th anniversary and my siblings, inlaws, cousins, nephews and nieces, etc. refer their questions about Orthodoxy to me. Give it time - live your faith - let your life speak for your faith.

Fr David Moser

[orerviche]

Best post I have seen on this forum in over a year. Thank you Fr. David (don't ask me what the other one was) ^;^

Caleb,

Let me give you some of my own experience. My parents questioned my conversion to Orthodoxy. Being devout evangelical protestants, they could not understand why I would go so far afield. I did not argue, I did not try to prove to them I was right, I did not give them books to read, I did not have them meet with my priest. All I did was to live my life as an Orthodox Christian as best I could. Over time, they saw the fruit of that decision and not only do they accept me as an Orthodox Christian but proudly display the photos of their son the Russian Orthodox priest on the fridge. I have been called by them to counsel some of their friends who have also run into the Orthodox faith (either as relatives of those who have converted or who are themselves inquirers). I now do give them books to read and discuss issues of faith and belief (not to prove that I am right and they are wrong, but to come to a common understanding) and they visit the Church whenever I am there. I have been asked to bless their marriage with a molieben on their 50th anniversary and my siblings, inlaws, cousins, nephews and nieces, etc. refer their questions about Orthodoxy to me. Give it time - live your faith - let your life speak for your faith.

Fr David Moser

[LomodiorCon]

There are two possibilities that I am thinking at. Maybe there are more. But the two possibilities are these:

Protestant Churches are Churches indeed, ok that changed the teaching of Apostles but they are Churches. Then people attacking these Churches and naming these Churches organizations can be seen as zealots.

Protestant Churches are simply human organizations made by humans putting in a show and looking as Churches without being Churches at all. I mean in the eyes of men may be Churches because they look like Churches but actually they are simple organizations. If this is true, then naming them Churches means to spread confusion and naming them simple organization means to give a chance to people to find the Church. If this is the case, people naming them simple organizations are not zealots, they are RIGHT. If this is the case I would recommend with all love to Caleb parents to renounce these organizations and to come to Orthodox Church with all love. I'm valuing so much protestants and I liked protestantism so much at one time that I wanted to become protestant myself, however I had the inspiration to pray to God for religious truth and I renounced quickly.

So , to find out lets everyone ask God, lets do our homework.
Dear God, please force us to salvation. Dear God please show us if Protestant Churches are really Churches in your eyes, please show us the religious truth and which religion is the true religion in your eyes and help us once we understand the truth to help other people as well to understand the truth and to get saved.

[cewIdeatovace]

In the end it does not matter what I say, what people believe or what they say. It matters what God say. So this is why we need to pray to God to obtain counsel in the main decisions we make like choosing a Church.

[lYVgWWcP]

We do not need to get into what Protestant churches are or are not, that is beyond the scope of this forum.

[Pvfcadbh]

Adrian,

I think it might be better if we spent time praying to God that he might be merciful to us sinners. We do not know where the Grace of the Lord is or is not. Let us humbly seek repentance before each other and God.

[slowlexrese]

Give it time - live your faith - let your life speak for your faith.

Fr David Moser
————————————————†”————————————
Just as my spiritual father said the same