Joasia:
Utopia is an unattainable dream here on earth. It is something only found in heaven. Mankind is to sinful, too (please excuse the expression) stupid, too fallible and too prone to allow evil into his heart to ever attain a"utopia" here on earth.
Personally I would not try arguing with Mr. Paul....he's too smug in his righteousness and will only try to incite you. He should be avoided like the plague!
Milla
Liudmilla
"smug in his righteousness" "He sould be avoided like the plague". This sounds suspiciously like a "judgement." Do I detect "hate and roncor"? Will anyone correct her as they did me?
He who has honest conviction in his faith must appear as "smug".
If you want a serious conversation invoke the authority of the scriptures and Fathers with the Orthodox understanding of them; and not your personal feelings or opinions. He who resorts to name calling has already run out of arguments.
Mr. Paul
Paul wrote:
He who has honest conviction in his faith must appear as "smug".
You are wrong Paul, an Orthodox person who truly lives and believes the Orthodox life does not need smugness to have his faith and convictions shine forth! Truth would shine forth and nothing could hold it back. If you are smug then you lack compassion, love and prayer for yout fellow man, rather you stand as the Pharisse in the temple. A true Orthodox person would model himself on the tax collector and not the Pharissee.
Katya
P.S. You say that you detect rancor and hate from Milla, I think that more acurately what you see is caution and fear. Your ways do not bring peace and love, they bring nothing but discord and hate. A big enough reason for me to avoid you "like the plague". A wise thing all around.
As to engaging in a discussion and citing sources.....I think Milla is wise NOT to engage with you. It is something that I will not do either.
As to "name calling" ...I don't see that either. But then the perception is in the reader.....
Katya
PAul:
Be careful of that "smugness" ...you can hurt your soul with it. Years and years ago when I was in my arogant twenties, I exhibited that "smugness" that you tke pride in ....I too felt that I was right in my "righteousness"....It's been more than twenty years since that day but to this day I still feel the sting of the guilty conscience that God sent my way. If I could do that day over again, I would, but instead I must live with my error and hope that I never repeat it again..... it's simply not worth it!
Katya
Oops! I voted! 
I saw the poll as asking which patriarchate has been most involved in ecumenism and thus did not really think of myself as passing judgment on anyone.
Of course, there is that word "guilty" in the poll question . . .
Perhaps if the question were rephrased the poll would be suitable.
It could have been worded something like this: Which patriarchate is most involved in the modern ecumenical movement?
Since some people see the ecumenical movement as a positive thing (huh?), such a phrasing would not be prejudicial and thus not involve judgmental condemnations, etc.
Just my two kopeks.
