Theological saturation

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Theological saturation Christanon 04/29/19 (Mon) 05:10:51 cda5b7 No.802113

Wouldn't a layman's general religious tendencies just be absorbed into the nearest popular religious outlet? Surely the ability to choose religions is fraught with heretical overtones such as:

>a layman lacks the theological nuance to determine true religion from false or misguided ones

>easy access to information increases exposure to heretical psuedo-truths that could easily misguide a layman

>the act of selecting a religion to suit oneself - like online shopping - has to be based on convenience and earthly factors

>Increasing one's theological knowledge can only be done through biased sources

The searching layman obviously has to be 100% earnest and truthful in these matters, however most religions will instruct you that human reason will only get you so far. Which is where a layman might be persuaded to give up the fight for truth.

Christanon 04/29/19 (Mon) 08:25:34 02c86e No.802134

>>802113

Not sure what you're trying to say.

Christanon 04/29/19 (Mon) 12:26:34 9d795c No.802148

>>802134

I'm reading it as a version on 'you only belong/subscribe to x religion because you were born in y place at z time' argument, (altho it sounds like OP is more concerned and less forming an argument for or against anything and, like I always tell people that trot this out as an argument, it's not actually an argument against and has no bearing on the validity or truth claims of any particular religion at all, i.e in the context the point is often raised, it's irrelevant altho nd is merely a hypothesis regarding ones propensity to be open to considering the truth claims of one faith or religion over another, which is the only context in which it would be appropriate to bring that point up)

Christanon 04/29/19 (Mon) 12:34:56 91b1b2 No.802150

Yes, many people are stuck with false doctrines out of invincible ignorance.

Christanon 04/29/19 (Mon) 15:23:44 7e456e No.802176

>>802148

I don’t see OPs point. He’s saying man is just social conditioning. No, we have choices. Look at the growth of Orthodox in America.

Christanon 04/29/19 (Mon) 18:34:38 586b4a No.802230

>>802176

I've yet to see any real evidence that Orthodoxy in America is growing, certainly proportion-wise to the total population (I can accept that it would be growing in absolute numbers, but pretty much everything is growing in absolute numbers).

Literally the only hard numbers I can find are church figures showing things are kinda stagnant, or your typical internet Orthodox who insists his parish is getting 5 converts a month or something.

Is it the hot thing on the internet for the moment? Sure. But IRL? I see no proof either way really.

Christanon 04/29/19 (Mon) 18:48:51 19c726 No.802235

>>802134

Me either.

But don't knock "laymen". Our Lord said "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

Shall not. Never. Zilch.

And as for your capabilities to discern the truth, so says St. Paul:

"For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, 'He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.' And again, 'The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain' Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours."

Again, Jesus: "When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth".

Pray and ask for wisdom and discernment and to be guided. We don't need a doctorate to understand Christ. That's tantamount to blasphemy actually, but it's actually standard thinking in the modern world. And look at the results: degeneracy and skepticism everywhere, even within church walls. A curse be on all of it.

Christanon 04/29/19 (Mon) 19:01:27 ffd350 No.802239

File: 4b28a6bfcd3be6b⋯.webm (732.35 KB, 270x714, 45:119, 4b28a6bfcd3be6bf28c680182….webm)

>>802113

I feel that if we tried our best to be rolemodels and strived towards the ideal, it would bleed out into others and affect them. Most people are busy and don't always have the time of day to be digging into the larger faculties of life, which is what we're here for: to be an example for what we ought to be, human but nonetheless willing.

Christanon 04/29/19 (Mon) 19:06:35 756ac0 No.802240

>>802113

True, but don't downplay divine agency. A layman isn't so bad off when you consider that God will provide, as it is written.

Christanon 04/29/19 (Mon) 19:30:41 9d795c No.802246

>>802235

>>802239

>>802240

This sure turned into a comfy thread

Christanon 04/30/19 (Tue) 00:29:14 f3745c No.802326

>>802113

This is my problem with deciding between Catholicism and Orthodoxy. Like you say, the sources you read on the topic are biased and there's so much out there a layman with a family would take ages to get through it all. You can read enough to convince yourself either way, and just going with whatever Church feels right to you is the wrong way to go about it as well since your earthly desires would influence that.

Christanon 04/30/19 (Tue) 00:34:05 f1ed4c No.802329

>>802326

I just go to the closest legitimate church, for me, that's Catholic, Novus Ordo. If I lived somewhere else, I'd go to a different church. It's not my responsibility to make sure the authorities God placed over me are anything beyond duly ordained.