OCA Archbishop's 2nd Brazen Defence of Transgenderism

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joasia
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Re: OCA Archbishop's 2nd Brazen Defence of Transgenderism

Post by joasia »

Symeon,

I apologize for my harsh reaction. But, I just don't understand why you would post this subject. It provides no spiritual benefits. It just opens a door to outside browsers to come and argue against it. I believe that this is one subject that doesn't need discussion. We know what's what, point finale. If people want to discuss it, privately, fine.

Point being that someone always has to bring up Fr. Seraphim, memory eternal. He's always stigmatized with this. It's as if Orthodox people, who know of him, will always think of him, in this way. I don't believe it for one minute. And it further convinces me that this subject matter should be forbidden.

To the members: Please don't reply about my comment about Fr. Seraphim. I needed to make a point clear, but it is not up for discussion either.

Joanna

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. (Ps. 50)

Anastasios
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Re: OCA Archbishop's 2nd Brazen Defence of Transgenderism

Post by Anastasios »

Dear Joanna,

I think that sweeping whole topics under the rug and consigning them to "private only" discussion is a problematic position to take. Discourse about homosexuality and transgenderism is rampant on television, in schools, on the streets, in social media, and in newspapers. It is not reasonable to imagine that someone, especially teenagers, will avoid seeing this topic addressed. Those struggling with the particular passion will also naturally seek to find answers. Not seeing an Orthodox response, they may conclude that there is none, or that we cannot address these issues, or that we are just "behind the times." No one starts off with an understanding of Orthodox phronema, following the Fathers, obedience to a spiritual father, etc; these things must be learned, and unfortunately, one's parish priest or family members may not be the best source of information...it's a sad fact in these days.

I do believe that overfocusing on these types of issues is problematic and as with any sin, it's not a good idea to dwell on it, but I don't really think that a total avoidance of a topic is a good idea.

In regards to specifics, such as whether specific individuals were afflicted with a sin or passionate disposition, I think you are actually quite right that this should not be discussed at all, or at the very least, a question about it should be addressed in private to someone trusted.

Just my two cents on the topic.

Fr. Anastasios

Matthew
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Re: OCA Archbishop's 2nd Brazen Defence of Transgenderism

Post by Matthew »

Well, thank you both Fr. Anastasios and Joasia for your kind words. I heartily agree with both of you that suspicions about the private struggles with shameful passions of certain persons should not be discussed. In the case of someone like St Mary of Egypt, however, which does go into something more than vague allusions regarding her sins in the world, but rather gives a fairly detailed account of her sins which are exclusively sexual for the most part, the details of her struggle - as far as it goes, cannot be called tasteless or unnecessary. It is meant to be, and indeed provides the encouragement and hope to the struggling among us who have not kept a clean record after baptism, as indeed St Mary also fell after baptism since there is no record of baptism in her life recounting to St. Zosima following her repentance and departure into the desert until Holy Communion and unto her death. I do not know if there is any proof that Seraphim Rose had the issues that I have sometimes heard claimed by people. If that is something he admitted to in his public writings, then we could say that that was done to encourage people who come to Orthodoxy with that struggle in their background and perhaps have some lingering struggles against being drawn backwards and can draw strength and hope from his successful struggle on that front. I don't see how that particular case would be inappropriate since we have the aforementioned example of St Mary of Egypt which is well within the celebrated Orthodox Tradition of one of the great Trophies of Repentance. If this claim about Seraphim Rose is not something he admitted to publicly and is an unconfirmed surmising, then, agreed, it should not be discussed.

As for why I wrote this article about Puhalo, I think it is important that when the truth is publicly attacked by a so-called Archbishop of Orthodoxy, or by anyone for that matter, it behooves us to sound a clear alarm to oppose the victory of evil over good, of lies over the Truth. Especially when someone slippery like Puhalo tries to badger the broader worldwide audience into believing that we are sinning if we do not adopt his point of view. What is shocking most of all is that there has been, to my knowledge, NO disciplinary response of ANY kind to his two public statements. I did hold my peace the first time he went public on this matter, but when he went and confirmed it with a followup video that was actually even more adamant and even angry in tone against people like us, I felt I ought not to hold my peace any more. So, I did not bring this up to offend anyone, as Puhalo had already done plenty on that score, but because I felt that something had to be done to expose his cheap methods of disarming and confusing younger people or those of less stable faith, because Puhalo is quite good at what he does, namely disarming people and intimidating them in public debate.

Above all, please accept my request for forgiveness if I have said anything wrong at any time. I thought I was being helpful to the cause of our True Orthodox Faith and maintaining the honor of all that constitutes a pure and holy Orthodox confession, which Puhalo was denigrating. If I should not say anything in future about this or any other matter, be it because of my own unworthiness or simply that the subject is questionable for public discussion, then I pray God will illumine me in my darkness.

unworthy Symeon

jgress
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Re: OCA Archbishop's 2nd Brazen Defence of Transgenderism

Post by jgress »

The moderators have agreed to allow the edit. Since Symeon already posted the revised version of his essay, I simply deleted the first post.

Jonathan

Matthew
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Re: OCA Archbishop's 2nd Brazen Defence of Transgenderism

Post by Matthew »

UPDATE on the PUHALO PRO-TRANNY SAGA

I somehow never saw this until now, some 8 months later.

Hieroheretic "Archbishop" Lazar Puhalo (whose real name is Ron Haler) on Bruce/Caitlyn Jenner's "Courage".
Posted on his Facebook account in May or June 2015.

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Lord Have Mercy! What a heretic.
Lord Have Mercy! What a heretic.
Puhalo on Bruce-Caitlyn Jenner's 'Courage'.jpg (95.58 KiB) Viewed 2030 times
Justice
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Re: OCA Archbishop's 2nd Brazen Defence of Transgenderism

Post by Justice »

This is horrible, how can anybody claim to be Orthodox while supporting genital mutilation?

Last edited by Justice on Mon 11 December 2017 12:43 am, edited 1 time in total.
Justice
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Re: OCA Archbishop's 2nd Brazen Defence of Transgenderism

Post by Justice »

Have any in the OCA come out in favor of Lazar's viewpoint?

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