Dan,
You make some very good points. I went to my first Orthodox service yesterday, and while I enjoyed the experience, I'm not ready to convert. There is much in Orthodoxy that is commendable, and I find the sacremental view on things intriguing. However, there are things I'm not ready to accept or practice: infant baptism, veneration to saints/Mary/icons, to name a few. Also, although I believe that Scripture should be interpreted in the Church in the context of Tradition, I'm not convinced Orthodoxy has the last word on the relationship between Scripture-Church-Tradition. Plus, I'm more than a little concerned that Tradition doesn't seem to be very well defined by the Orthodox (or Catholics). Evidence abounds in the Church Fathers of conflicting beliefs purporting to have originated from the Apostles. For example, I believe Irenaeus taught that it was a "tradition" handed down that Christ was 50 years old when he was crucified. (Other fathers dispute that.) My point is that there needs to be a better way of distinguishing Apostolic Tradition from the traditions of men which may CLAIM apostolic origins.
In short, I have more praying and investigating to do, but right now I see no reason to leave where I am.
