Greetings to all in our Lord's Name!!!!!!
I have not had a chance to review the postings in some time and it seems as though some of the faithful are having difficult times. I for one am a convert, as is James, and I too have had an "issue" with some of the "business as usual" stemming from the "ethnic background" of our archdiocese. Our parish is pretty much "Pan Orthodox" and we all get along as brothers and sisters on a local level. However, our Antiochian background on a national level seems to forget that we are Christian first, American second, and ethnic extraction last. What I take issue with is the attitude taken by a number of our Palestinian brethren, including those specifically who write to and edit "Word" magazine.
What I am referring to are the articles and "joint statements" which are issued in the name of "Christian and Muslem Religious Leaders" with reference to the tragedy which is taking place between the Palestinians and Israelis. I find it abominable that some of our heirarchs would have "dialogue" with Muslem clergy and use ethnic ties as an excuse to condemn Israeli policies with regard to the Palestinian problem. These Islamic leaders are the very offspring of those who persecuted and slaughtered Arab Christians by the thousands over the centuries and converted much of the middle east by the sword. What in heaven's name do we as Christians have in common with these heathen people. Just because many Palestinians in this country have a common ancestry with both Christian and Muslem Palestinians, is no excuse for our Arab Christian Clergy to be "joining forces" with Islamic Clergy on anything.
I am not advocating that Israel be supported unconditionally with their "handling" of the situation, but our Orthodox Clergy and our Holy Orthodox Church would be much better served if they would issue their own statements and sever all ties with Islamic religious leaders.
