The Orthodox KKK?

Christians: We must take great care in our public (and private) discourse toward one another. The world is watching, and in that world are lost souls whose eternity hangs in the balance. Discuss the faith, the doctrines of the church, and any errors in orthodox understanding of the truth, but refrain from ad hominem attacks [adverb; adjective 1.(of an argument or reaction) directed against a person rather than the position they are maintaining. "vicious ad hominem attacks" ].

Saint James, the brother of our Lord, calls it slander.

"Do not speak evil [*slander] of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother [*slander] and judges [**] his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law [***a judge], you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?"

So, what is the Orthodox KKK? It is those individuals or groups that practice the three K's that Saint James points out:

* Katalaleo; from kata, against, and laleo, to speak. To insult, defame, slur, slander. The word is rather broad in meaning, taking in every sort of defamation or verbal aspersion. The fundamental notion is that of speaking about a person in a manner which is aimed at maligning and discrediting him or injuring his reputation, roughly equivalent to the modern slang "to bad mouth" (Jas 4:11; 1 Pe 2:12; 3:16)

** Krino; to discriminate between good and evil, select, choose out the good. In the NT it means to judge, form or give an opinion after separating and considering the particulars of a case. To judge, try in a solemn manner, spoken of men, of God, of Christ as the God-Man; to judge, pass sentence, or give one's opinion in a private manner; to discern, form a mental judgement or opinion; to judge, evaluate, esteem, or perhaps to merely state a preference; to judge properly, determine; to condemn; to furnish matter or occasion for condemnation.

*** Krites; from Krino, to judge. A judge.

So, you see, even if we are right in our assessment of another, to give the assessment in a katalaleo, krino, krites way is not our right to do. We have become the Orthodox KKK and such is not orthodox at all. In fact, we are commanded to not conduct ourselves in such a way. Why? Because God is the judge of the individual, not us. This does not negate our responsibility to judge what is truth and what is not, (see: Quit Repeating "Judge Not!" We Are Supposed To "Judge"!)  but the focus should be on the truth and not on the person. Many JTO articles have been prompted by what I have seen others do or say, but the posts have focused on the subject, the topic, with an exposition on the truth, and have not been about the person who said or did it. But have there been exceptions?

In the nine years since the first JTO post, I have attempted to refrain from the "KKK's"  and ad hominem methods of discourse in both the posts and comments (See The Power Of "You" In Interpersonal Communication and Judging Others). Wherein I have not been faithful in that, I ask forgiveness. In discussing Ecumenism, I have used quotes from individuals. I have posted an e-mail exchange from a "messianic prophet" who said that if I was not on his mailing list I would not enter the Kingdom of God. And I have posted an article on two individuals, that I name, whose blogs and posts are the very epitome of the KKK's and ad hominems, focused on the personal destruction of individuals. Perhaps none of this was even my right to do? 

This blog reflects my Journey To Orthodoxy. I challenge all JTO readers, as I have multiple times, to help keep me on the straight path. But, in doing so, point out where I am wrong in my words, conclusions, doctrine, and orthodox mind, refraining from the KKK's and ad hominems directed toward my character, motives, and intent. Remembering always, that it is the Holy Spirit who ultimately guides us into all truth and that I have a Bishop, who is the chief shepherd of my soul. The objective of JTO has always been that others may learn from my ups and down, my rights and wrongs, my discoveries in truth, and that my arrogant soul may be tempered and humiliated.

CHALLENGE: Select anything I have written, not what you presume I believe, but, what I have actually written, and offer a rebuttal or correction, void of personal attacks, and I will post it. Many have done this throughout the years, and you will find those beneficial discussions in the comment section below the posts. I have also had many profitable exchanges via e-mail: journeytoorthodoxy@gmail.com. A few of those beneficial exchanges have been posted as articles or prompted me to make corrections or clarifications of some posts or comments. I look forward to hearing from you... unless you are member of the Orthodox KKK.

"And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power; That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 1 Cor. 2:1-5

"By Their Fruit You Will Know Them"

Are you a good fruit or a rotten apple?

Divisiveness

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. (1 Corinthians 1:10, NIV)

Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. (Romans 12:18, NLT2)

You are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world? (1 Corinthians 3:3, NLT2)

If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. (Romans 12:18, NASB95)

If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. (Galatians 5:15, NIV)

Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:26, NASB95)

Live in harmony with one another. (Romans 12:16, NIV)

A troublemaker plants seeds of strife. (Proverbs 16:28, NLT2)

A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, But the slow to anger calms a dispute. (Proverbs 15:18, NASB95)

A quarrelsome person starts fights as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood. (Proverbs 26:21, NLT2)

An angry person starts fights; a hot–tempered person commits all kinds of sin. (Proverbs 29:22, NLT2)

Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out. (Proverbs 17:14, NLT2)

Gossip

The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts. (Proverbs 18:8, NIV)

A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much. (Proverbs 20:19, NIV)

A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence. (Proverbs 11:13, NLT2)

Gossip separates the best of friends. (Proverbs 16:28, NLT2)

Slander

Slandering others makes you a fool. (Proverbs 10:18, NLT2)

Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people. Do not stand idly by when your neighbor’s life is threatened. I am the LORD. (Leviticus 19:16, NLT2)

I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors. (Psalm 101:5, NLT2)

Thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:10, NIV)

Do not slander one another. (James 4:11, NIV)

Rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. (1 Peter 2:1, NIV)

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. (Ephesians 4:31, NLT2)

Teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers … but to teach what is good. (Titus 2:3, NIV)

Arguing

A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. (Proverbs 15:1, NLT2)

People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! (James 3:7-10, NLT2)

Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin. (Proverbs 17:19, NLT2)

When arguing with your neighbor, don’t betray another person’s secret. (Proverbs 25:9, NLT2)

What ails you that you keep on arguing? (Job 16:3, NIV)

Criticism

And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you. (Matthew 12:36-37, NLT2)

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29, NIV)

Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. (James 4:11, NLT2)

Judgmentalism

Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. (Matthew 7:1-2, NKJV)

Why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, “Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,” when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. (Matthew 7:3-5, NLT2)

Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. (Luke 6:37, NIV)

Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. (Romans 2:1, NASB95)

Why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. (Romans 14:10, NLT2)

Let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling-block or obstacle in your brother’s way. (Romans 14:13, NIV)

So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. (Romans 14:13, NLT2)

So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time–before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. (1 Corinthians 4:5, NLT2)

Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. (James 4:11, NLT2)

God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor? (James 4:12, NLT2)

My Thanks And Appeal To My Attackers -Through The Words Of Saint Symeon

SAINT SYMEON'S ATTACKER, ANOTHER ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN, DID HIM MUCH HARM OVER A PERIOD OF 7 YEARS, TELLING LIES, RUMOR-MONGERING, CAUSING EVEN HIS MOST ARDENT SUPPORTERS TO TURN ON HIM--

THIS, HE WROTE AFTER BEING PHYSICALLY BANISHED FROM HIS MONASTERY-- 

A LETTER OF THANKS AND APPEAL FOR MORE OF THE SAME...

"...from your Symeon, who is in exile and being persecuted because of you... behold what grain the fields of your efforts and your words on God's behalf have yielded! See what glory and joy they have granted me, what crowns they have caused me to win, with what happiness they have filled me! For they have led me up to the summit of knowledge and have planted the feet of my intellect on the rock, and have caused me to be clothed in this rock [Christ] itself, from which I have the living water gushing forth in me, moving and speaking and encouraging me to write to you. This fills me with every delight and renders me completely unaware of the deadly trials around me. Like the three boys whom it kept from being burned in the furnace, it has thus also hidden me in its shelter and preserves me from grief and misery. For this I thank you and will never cease from thanking you and praying for you. So if you can do anything else to increase the happiness and glory of those who love you, please do not hesitate to do it, so that your reward may be multiplied and your recompense from God, who has set out the laws concerning these things, may be more abundant. Farewell."

EVEN WITH SAINT SYMEON IN EXILE, THE ATTACKER CONTINUED WITH MORE OF THE SAME...

ANOTHER LETTER FROM SYMEON...

"My good master...[you have] once again added more noble crowns of victory that I already have. How can I repay you for all that you, in your goodness, have done for me, your humble servant, for all that you continue to do, and that I know you will do again? For you have been my benefactor everyday for seven years already. How can I make amends to you when you are so zealous in these matters and know how to endow your friends so munificently with your sweet remedies? But, I beg you, do not halt your plans, do not give up your work! Add to them, if you will, things that, by their intensity, will make my sufferings even sweeter. For you have increased for me the light, the joy, the sweetness, everything that gushes forth in me in such a marvelous way in peace of my thoughts through the ineffable gladness of the Spirit. Please go on increasing these by all means, and, continuing to do what you do, unite me more swiftly with my beloved God, on whose behalf I willing bear everything and because of whom, as you see, I am enveloped by you in the chains of exile. Farewell. ...[Y]our Symeon, who, because of you, is in exile, stripped of all my possessions."

Can Bishops, Priests, And Deacons Be Gossips?

GOSSIP: a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others. 

"My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed,we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh." James 3: 1-12 

To God's beloved Bishops, Priests, and Deacons: The sacrament you have received does not dismiss you from the obligation to tame your mouth. You do not have license, because of your ordination, to say what you will to another, be it clergy or layman, under the guise of "concern" or another's "spiritual welfare". Speaking to another about a third person's "personal or sensational facts" is as sinful for you as it is the Layman. Whether it be in word or letter, in private, or in a public forum, it is sin.

Advice For People Who Lie

“People think that a liar gains a victory over his victim. What I’ve learned is that a lie is an act of self-abdication, because one surrenders one’s reality to the person to whom one lies, making that person one’s master, condemning oneself from then on to faking the sort of reality that person’s view requires to be faked…The man who lies to the world, is the world’s slave from then on…There are no white lies, there is only the blackest of destruction, and a white lie is the blackest of all.” 
― Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged

“I always say the truth is best even when we find it unpleasant. Any rat in a sewer can lie. It's how rats are. It's what makes them rats. But a human doesn't run and hide in dark places, because he's something more. Lying is the most personal act of cowardice there is.” 
― Nancy Farmer, The House of the Scorpion

“There is beauty in truth, even if it's painful. Those who lie, twist life so that it looks tasty to the lazy, brilliant to the ignorant, and powerful to the weak. But lies only strengthen our defects. They don't teach anything, help anything, fix anything or cure anything. Nor do they develop one's character, one's mind, one's heart or one's soul.” 
― José N. Harris

“Hard truths can be dealt with, triumphed over, but lies will destroy your soul.” 
― Patricia Briggs, Moon Called

“Declare your jihad on thirteen enemies you cannot see -egoism, arrogance, conceit, selfishness, greed, lust, intolerance, anger, lying, cheating, gossiping and slandering. If you can master and destroy them, then you will be ready to fight the enemy you can see.” 
― Al-Ghazali

"Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow...You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor."
- God, The Bible

A Prophetic Word To Orthodox Bloggers...From Father Seraphim Rose?!

Do not trust your mind too much; thinking must be refined by suffering, or it will not stand the test of these cruel times.

Of course, one can always act wrong even on a clear conscience! But even that is not a fatal mistake as long as ones mind and heart remain open and one keeps first things first.

How much our American Orthodoxy needs more heart and not so much mind! I dont know any answer for it, except more prayer and basic education in Orthodox sources.

Orthodox Christians, surrounded by and already swimming in a sea of humanist-worldly philosophy and practice, must do everything possible to create their own islands, in that sea, of other-worldly, God-oriented thought and practice.

Above all, may we all grow in spiritual understanding, not rational understanding—which I fear is the constant plague of all us poor converts!

The two sides quote canons back and forth, when what is needed is love and understanding—and that statement, I realize, could have come straight from the lips of some ecumenist, which only shows how difficult the path of true Orthodoxy has become in our days.

Good heavens! What is happening to people? How easily one gets dragged off the path of serving God into all kinds of factions and jealousies and attempts at revenge.

How much hope there is for those who do not trust in themselves too much and are not overly-critical of others! And how little hope for those whose orientation is the opposite!

Letters from Father Seraphim, Nikodemos Orthodox Publication Society, Richfield Springs, NY, 2001.