World Council of Churches

[Rick of Wessex]

Hello everyone.

What do you think of the Orthodox Church membership on the World Council of Churches?

I personally do not like it. While I feel real ecumenism is important, I do not think a council that takes moral and theological stands inconsistent with the historic morality of the Orthodox Chuch is a place for our voices to be heard.

I know we cannot be sectarians or isolationists, but why are we on a council that seems to be dominated by liberal Protestants?

In XC,
Rick

[MariaRegina]

Hello everyone.

What do you think of the Orthodox Church membership on the World Council of Churches?

I personally do not like it. While I feel real ecumenism is important, I do not think a council that takes moral and theological stands inconsistent with the historic morality of the Orthodox Chuch is a place for our voices to be heard.

I know we cannot be sectarians or isolationists, but why are we on a council that seems to be dominated by liberal Protestants?

In XC,
Rick

I agree. I think it can do more harm than good as it can cause confusion on the part of many laity and inquirers to the Orthodox Church. They see Orthodox Priests involved in ecumenical prayer meetings and either wonder why they cannot do likewise or recoil in horror. I have met some Orthodox Christians who feel that they can receive (without permission) communion in Catholic and Protestant Churches. Therefore, involvement with the ecumenical movement can be a downward slippery slope. It definitely can lead to a dangerous relativism in the matters of our Holy Faith.

Notice the Latin Catholics are not members. Neither are conservative protestant groups.

A concerned Orthodox Christian

Elizabeth

[MariaRegina]

Not all Orthodox Churches are members of the WCC.

[Rick of Wessex]

Hi, Elizabeth.

Not all Orthodox Churches are members of the WCC.

You're right. The Patriarchates of Serbia and Jerusalem are not members, and I believe the Bulgarians left the WCC in 2002.

In XC,
Rick

[Orthodox Andrew]

I'm 100% against the Orthodox Church being a member of the WCC.

[MariaRegina]

What a bad choice - WC in England means something derogatory. The name that shall not be named! :D

[Suzannah]

water closet???
LOL

I am against it. I have never appreciated the WCC ....even when I was a Protestant. I think it is haven for people who want to be Christians without really having to be Christians.

[MariaRegina]

water closet???
LOL
:D

I am against it. I have never appreciated the WCC ....even when I was a Protestant. I think it is haven for people who want to be Christians without really having to be Christians.

nominal Christian haven -- Can't non-Christians be members also? Are Buddhists allowed?

[MariaRegina]

Who founded WCC?

What is its purpose?

Doesn't membership imply that one reverts to the lowest level of beliefs so as not to offend the majority? Isn't this a relativist position? Isn't this why the Latin Catholics oppose it?

[Reader Nilus]

I see no problem with the Orthodox being involved with the World Council of Churches.
Jeff the Finn

[MariaRegina]

I see no problem with the Orthodox being involved with the World Council of Churches.
Jeff the Finn

Are you feeling better today, Jeff?

[Alfred M]

I think denominations and the people within them tend to create organizations such as the WCC because they somehow feel that if they can just be a part of "everything" they will have all of their religious bases covered. It is almost as if they do not have the faith they claim to have... so they pool everyone together for a "sharing" of faiths..yet none of them attain the fulfillment they seek.

I see little good to come from participation in the WCC. But again, this is only my opinion.

In the love of our Saviour,
Alfred, the lowliest of sinners