Funny how through out the centuries mankind has always needed someone else to blame for all its woes. The problems they faced were never as a result of their own actions but always the fault of "someone" else. Even today we do the same thing. I don't think there is one of us that has not sinned in this manner in someway, whether as an adult or as a child, whether it was blaming someone or even God for our misfortunes. The fault lies within ourselves and no where else.
Christ gave us but one commandment....to love each other as he loved us... I do not recall there being an ...except for... at the end of his commandment. Such simple words, yet seemingly the hardest in the world to fulfill.
When I was young I was told by my father confessor that it was a sin to try and justify your sin to God, there is no justification for our sins. Yet that is what we seem to be doing here.
Brendan, you claim to remember what it was like to live in a "christian" America, however that American did not really tolerate anything that was different from itself. As a young Orthodox immigrant, I suffered all kinds of discrimimation from those Christians. It was hard as a young person to understand why this was so. Many thought I worshipped at the altar of some strange, or weird sect and as such should excluded or ostracized. Faith should be a matter taught at home and not at school by people who do not necessarily believe as you do. It is because faith and Christ's love are missing at home, that it is missing in people. I know that many Orthodox people are caught up in that "being different" syndrome and as such strive to be like everyone else and as a result loosing everything that makes them Orthodox.
We should look to our own salvation, condemning others for our own lack of faith is hardly the answer. Correct yourself and you correct the world around you.
Ben
