Tlangs;1123673; said:
It isn't considered bad, however, you are supposed to abstain during the various fasts (210 days of the year for Coptic Orthodox) and before you receive communion. Fasting is basically an exercise in self-denial and Christian obedience that tries to rid the believer of his or her passions (what most modern people would call "addictions") to bring them closer to God. ie food, television or other entertainments, sex, or any kind of self-absorbed pleasure-seeking are seen as some of the most significant obstacles for man seeking closeness to God.
I understand this POV. There are some things that can be gleaned from the Christian Scriptures and from denominations that would tend to show sexual intercourse as a "necessary evil" of sorts.
The negative connotations, IMO, come from the root cause of the Original Sin supposedly being transferred from generation to generation.
This needn't be a topic that goes on and on. I was just sharing why I asked.
Tlangs said:
......oh and you are supposed to married as well.
Of course.
Tlangs;1124004; said:
I have never really been part of a discussion on how the Copts view the crucifixion compared to other religions. I will definitely seek some information on this. It would definitely be an interesting discussion. I have always beleived it to be vicarious as you described above...but of course I was brought up a Protestant. Maybe i need to figure out what the heck I converted to
LOL! I, too, was raised in a Protestant household, and held the same belief regarding the cross. I've not delved too much into Coptic Orthodoxy. I'm sure there are some differences between it and EO/GO; thus, I apologize for lumping them together.
Tlangs said:
Although, what I have found when asking these sorts of question in the past is that people that have been lifelong Copts, don't really have the in depth knowledge of how other religions view things. They were raised as Coptic Orthodox from birth in Egypt and then immigrated to the US without much exposure to anything else.
I've definitely not found the Copts to be the predominant portion of Orthodox; therefore, I would imagine that it's more inwardly familial.
Tlangs said:
I am by no means an Orthodox expert. I converted because it was the only way i would be able to marry my current wife. At the time I was 20 and I figured..."heck what's the difference between Orthodox and Protestant". I attended services with her family and met one on one with the Priest on many occasions over a two year period. i can honestly say that i didn't take it as seriously back then as I needed to.
Yes. The ways of our youth can sometimes spur consternation at a later date.
I would imagine that this conversion has worked out for the best in your life though.
Tlangs said:
Only within the last few years have a taken a deeper interst in learning more about orthodoxy. I go to church on Sunday's with my family as much as possible. I serve as a deacon. I listen to the sermons and try my best to mold my life by them. I attend several Church functions a month (outside of Liturgies) and generally try keep my family involved. If I told you that I fasted 210 days out of the year i would be lying. I can tell you that I give an effort and that is what is important. When it comes down to the in depth knowledge, that is something that I can definitely improve on.
I must state openly that my questions/interaction with you are by no means meant to be an interrogation/judgment/anything of a negative connotation. I simply asked because I recall a difference between Orthodox and RCC/Protestant Christianity.
I applaud you in your dedication to your belief system.
As an interest for later, I wanted to pose an inquiry for you to look into IF you have the interest regarding the Pasha and capital punishment. Have you ever looked into the Jewish regulations regarding capital punishments and high holy days?
