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Tuesday, February 09, 2010
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OrthodoxNet Blog
Read our Blog for the latest articles and news items. Updated Daily!
Conservative Dating, New Website Launched
A new website dedicated exclusively to Conservative Singles and Conservative Dating has been launched. The site was created in order to serve the needs, interests, beliefs, and traditional values of the large and growing conservative community.
Have We Stopped Trying to Make Good People?
The most important question any society must answer is: How will we make good people? 12/15/2009
Junk Science Exposed In Evolutionary Theory
Natural selection is not an active force. It is a passive process in nature. Only those variations that have survival value will be “selected” or be preserved. 12/12/2009
Pulling the Plug on the Conscience Clause
Over the past fifty years, the purposes and practices of medicine have changed radically. Where medical ethics was once life-affirming, today’s treatments and medical procedures increasingly involve the legal taking of human life. 12/2009
Religious Issues
Daily Scripture Readings
The Wonder of the Incarnation
When those from whom we expect arrogance surprise us with humility, something resonates within the human soul. For Christians, one of the most breathtaking things about our savior Jesus Christ is that he willingly surrendered the privileges of his Lordship and descended from Heaven to walk among us, as one of us. 12/24/09
The Light Shineth in the Darkness
For six decades, a wooden cross of one kind or another stood until in the late 1990s in the Mojave Desert, when it was replaced with a more permanent metal one that is now obscured with plywood by court order. 12/23/09
Science and the Demands of Virtue
Contrary to the popular understanding, the natural sciences are not morally neutral. Not only do the findings of science have moral implications, the actual work of scientific research presupposes that the researcher himself is a man of virtue. 12/15/09

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  NewhallStation.com
Orthodox Christian hobby business we support. Very high quality products!
Current Issues, News, & Editorials
Domestic Disturbances
The Rising Polyamorous Culture Is Out to Get Your Children. 1/5/2010
The Left’s End Times
The End-Times Left is more than the sum of global warming enthusiasts, boosters, and acolytes. Broadening the secular left’s universe are those who are anti-life. 12/31/2009
A Demand for Freedom
We must demand, as well, genuine freedom for the churches: the freedom to proclaim the gospel, the freedom to persuade conversions, the freedom to make the case for Christianity by participating in public discourse, the freedom to operate charitable and educational organizations, and the freedom to decry sin wherever it is found. 12/2009
In Pursuit of Death
The hardcore leftists who fled the collapse of communism have found a home in radical environmental movements. 12/22/09
Democrats Kill Successful DC Voucher Progam
The Democrats in Congress have essentially killed Washington D.C.’s Opportunity Scholarship Program effectively throwing nearly 2,000 disadvantaged students back into one of the worst school systems in the country. 12/21/09
Watermelon Marxists
As a tool for watermelon Marxists — green on the outside and red on the inside — climate change orthodoxy represents an opportunity to achieve age-old dreams of communist wealth redistribution. 12/8/09
Kids to Meet Marx in School – Care of Hollywood and The History Channel
Zinn has spent a lifetime teaching college students about the evils of capitalism, the promise of Marxism, and his version of American history – a history that has, in his view, been kept from students. 12/7/09
Obama’s Buggery Czar, Kevin Jennings
The media is trying to keep this story in the closet, but it’s important not to wink at all the serious problems surrounding President Obama’s controversial “safe schools czar,” Kevin Jennings. 12/8/09
Left Destroys More than It Creates
Just as there is no left-wing Boy Scouts, there is no Salvation Army built and manned by people with left-wing values. 12/1/09
America Founded on the Principles of Honoring God
Critics often miss the point by trying to validate or invalidate the American Founding Fathers as Christian. According to Orthodox Tradition this doesn’t matter. 11/28/09
Global Warmists Caught Red-Handed
The fraud perpetrated by the leading AGW "scientists" exposed. 11/25/09
The Mayflower’s Pilgrim Capitalists
As Philbrick describes it, after three years in America the Pilgrims “stumbled on the power of capitalism” and in the process ensured the colony’s survival. 11/25/09
Fr. Symeon: Danger of Christian Persecution in America
We are already crossing the lines of ‘political correctness’ to speak the truth and political correctness is constantly being incorporated into law. It is an all out assault on truth in this country and Truth is a person, Jesus Christ. 11/24/2009
Manhattan Declaration – Religion Takes a Stand
Christians, when they have lived up to the highest ideals of their faith, have defended the weak and vulnerable and worked tirelessly to protect and strengthen vital institutions of civil society, beginning with the family. 11/23/2009
The Manhattan Declaration: A Call of Christian Conscience
On November 22, 2009 group of Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant leaders unveiled a document called “The Manhattan Declaration: A Call of Christian Conscience” that affirms the traditional Christian teaching concerning abortion, homosexual marriage, and religious freedom 11/22/2009
Thankful for Obama
All signs are pointing toward a monumental collapse in public support for the president and his party. 11/25/2009
Without Life, No Rights
What abortion advocates ignore is that unless we first preserve the right to life, all other rights are meaningless. Rights mean nothing to a corpse. 11/13/2009
Climategate: Alarmism Is Underpinned by Fraud
Files from the UK Climatic Research Unit were hacked. They show that data was massaged, numbers were fudged, diagrams were biased, there was destruction of data after freedom of information requests, and there was refusal to submit taxpayer-funded data for independent examination. 11/25/09
Why Obamanomics Will Not Improve the Economy
The economic programs and policies currently in place are truly astounding. I don’t think I have ever seen a more harmful economic environment for the country. 11/23/09
In the Shadow of the Grand Inquisitor
Christians will be persecuted in this world. They will take away our crosses, smash our icons and tell us that we are wasting our time. 11/17/2009
The Gulag Lives On – But Not in Our Culture
So why so many excellent films set in or around the Holocaust and so few films using any gulag, be it Soviet, Chinese, North Korean, Cuban, etc.? 11/17/09
The Silver Lining of the Left in Power
There may be a major silver lining for conservatives and for America’s future thanks to the foreign and domestic policies of President Obama and the Democrat-controlled House and Senate: For the first time in their lives, millions of Americans are coming to understand the left. 11/17/09
But What About the Poor?
The left avers that many Americans are poverty-stricken, that we need to do more to alleviate their plight, and that the primary role of government is to help them. Let us examine these claims. 11/2/09
Charity and Sacrifice in a Free Society
The Founding Founders established a Republic under a written Constitution with the clear intent of protecting individual freedom; however, the role of our government has been grossly perverted over the last century to the point where politicians now violate individual rights routinely and without batting an eye. 10/31/09
Knocking Human Beings Off the Pedestal of Exceptionalism
Society’s belief in the unique moral value and importance of human life is under unprecedented assault. 10/30/09
Articles from Previous Weeks
Dennis Prager Mentions OrthodoxNet Blog on Air
On Monday, October 19, 2009, during the second hour of his nationally syndicated radio show, noted conservative Dennis Prager, mentioned the OrthodoxNet Blog post on Anita Dunn’s praise of demonic communist dictator Mao Tse-Tung as one of her "favorite political philosophers." 10/27/09
Shedding Some Light on the Judgement
A wise man keeps his attention on the day his death before the days of his life. Before you make plans for tomorrow, remember the hour of your death! 10/27/2009
Democrats’ Policies Based on Dogma, Hopes, Dreams, not Reality
How is one to rationally explain the Democrats’ belief that the government taking over another one-sixth of the American economy is a good thing? The answer is religion. 10/27/09
Russian Research Forecasts Global Cooling
In a sharp rebuke to climate alarmists who believe human-generated carbon dioxide is responsible for causing catastrophic global warming, a Russian scientist has issued what amounts to a news flash announcing, "Sun Heats Earth!" 10/27/09
Climate Chains, Environmental Alarmists Threaten Our Freedoms
An epic debate is underway in our country. Proposed climate legislation would have a far-reaching impact on our standard of living and give government a portal into every aspect of our lives. 10/26/09
The End Game of the Left
By enflaming hatred of the wealthy (and by extension, capitalism), the left can brandish social justice as a weapon to seize complete control of government and essentially enslave the populace. 10/25/09
Welcome to the World of Newspeak
In George Orwell’s novel, “1984,” Newspeak refers to language designed by a totalitarian regime to control thought and make subversive speech impossible. 10/23/09
Multiculturalism and Marxism
No successful society shows a spontaneous tendency towards multiculturalism or multiracialism. 10/23/09
Green Patriarch Bartholomew Embraces Leftist Environmental Agenda
Far-left environmental activism is blind to the economic and social dimensions of environment care. Alarmism, in other words, should have no place in our deliberations about the environment because it makes no account of the economic and social ramifications that environmental policy will have on real people. 10/22/09
Welcome to the School of Social Engineering
With each passing day, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the change the American people voted for is not the “change” President Obama envisions for our country. 10/19/09
Queering Our Schools
Advocating the indoctrination of kindergarten children based on anecdotal evidence or flawed science isn’t Mr. Jennings’ worst offense. 10/16/09
Four Characteristics of Good Orthodox Preaching
Orthodox preaching needs to be good preaching. To be good, Orthodox preaching must not only deliver good content, but it must strive to make the hearers good. Therefore, good Orthodox preaching is the Gospel (good news) proclaimed and lived. 10/2009
Idol Worship, Counterfeit Gods
Anything and everything we turn to in order to satisfy our deepest needs and longings can become idols. Even good things such as family, love, and morality become idols when they take the place of God. As Keller writes, "If anything becomes more fundamental than God to your happiness, meaning in life, and identity, then it is an idol." 10/27/2009
That The Bishops Be Blameless
One who was not given the gift of teaching and preaching is not worthy to be thought of for the position of priest or bishop. 10/17/09
Anita Dunn Favorite Philosopher Mao Tse-Tung
Anita Dunn, the White House Communications Director, admitted that one of favorite political Philosophers, one that she “turns to the most”, is Mao Tse-Tung, the demonic communist dictator responsible for the starvation, torture, and murder of 70 million Chinese. 10/16/09
Without God We are Nothing
It is more reasonable to believe in God than to reject the hypothesis of God by appealing to chance; more reasonable also to believe than to escape into agnosticism. 10/4/09
Nation of Men, Not of Laws
It is a dark day when the rule of law is disregarded because it conflicts with the left’s amoral world view. 10/1/2009
Should Christians Speak Against Clergy Sexual Misconduct?
Should Christians unconditionally obey our church leaders? Should Christians remain silent when church leaders lead us astray? Should Christians judge others? Should a sex offender remain a bishop? 9/24/09
The Appearance of Design
DNA is like a computer program but far, far more advanced than any software ever created. 9/23/09
Education Normal
A suitable education must do more, therefore, than simply teach facts, even moral facts. Education must seek to cultivate the moral imagination of the child, for reducing moral education to a list of rules is bound to fail. 9/2009
Signature in the Cell
In his book, Signature in the Cell, Stephen Meyer methodically challenges the central doctrine of today’s scientific establishment that life arose from purely undirected materialistic and naturalistic forces in the absence of intelligence. 9/23/09
Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto
In Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto, Mark Levin identifies and analyzes two divergent, mutually exclusive philosophies of governance. 9/2009
Intelligent Design - Unlocking The Mysteries Of Life
A thoughtful and well presented argument for a turn away from the dry/rationalist argument that the miracle of life is a "nothing but" - scientifically explained foregone conclusion. Their is "intelligence" behind the design. 9/8/09
Getting to Know An Unknown God
Who is this unknown God that has touched all of world history? Who is this being for whom so much ink has been spilled trying to understand? 10/2009
God and Science Do Mix
If God kept arbitrarily interfering in nature as Haldane and Krauss imagine, we could never distinguish His message, the signal, from the noise of nature’s irregularities. To reveal Himself to humans—to communicate—He must break into nature sometimes, but He must do so rarely. 8/21/09
Quotes
"It is maintained that anything so small as the Earth must, in any event, be too unimportant to merit the love of the Creator, we reply that no Christian ever supposed we did merit it. Christ did not die for men because they were intrinsically worth dying for, but because He is instrinsically love, and therefore loves infinetly."

"And what, after all, does the size of a world or a creature tell us about its "importance" or value?" [It's like saying a man only 5 ft tall is less important then one who's 6 ft tall. That's illogical.]
-- C.S. Lewis - Miracles

Book Corner
Coming Home : Why Protestant Clergy Are Becoming Orthodox
by Peter E. Gillquist
An excellent collection of the accounts of a number of clergy converts who have returned to the Holy Orthodox Church. A good starting point for people to learn about the history of the Apostolic Church. In the far West it is ironic that we accept the Bible that emerged from the Apostolic Church yet reject that church itself.

  Books on Orthodox Christianity
Extensive selection of books on the Orthodox Faith and beliefs.
A Jealous God
Book Review - Award-winning journalist Pamela R. Winnick exposes some of the more unsavory and dangerous characteristics of the scientific establishment that have contributed to the erosion of human dignity and led to the abuse of individuals for the sake of science.
Mere Christianity (C.S. Lewis)
Book Review - Mere Christianity is full of memorable and powerful revelations that elucidate the foundations of Christian theology, our relationship to God, and the meaning of life. Only C.S. Lewis could summarize such broad concepts so eloquently without coming across as overly-religious or preachy.

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Wisdom
  American Orthodox Institute
A New Voice for Orthodox Christianity in America
  OrthodoxyToday.org
Articles and commentary on Social and Moral issues of the day.
  Spiritual Nourishment
Articles and essays on a variety of Orthodox Christian topics and issues.

Bacterial Flagellum – A Sheer Wonder Of Intelligent Design
The unimaginable complexity of the Baterial Flagellum, the world’s most efficient organic motor.
Warning Signs of Power Corruption in Organizations
Here is the risk inherent in leadership: The greater the leader’s power, wealth, authority, and influence, the more likely the leader could succumb to ethical lapses and moral failings. 9/3/09 ( more by Chris Banescu)
Haeckel’s Embryos Drawings - Evolutionary Fraud
It has long been known that one of the most effective popularizers of evolution, Ernst Haeckel, fudged some drawings, but only now has the breathtaking extent of his deceit been revealed. 8/30/09
Duty to Share the Truth
St. Ambrose's exhortation to all Christians. 7/20/09
Watch Your Thoughts, They Become Words
Watch your thoughts, they become words. Watch your words, they become actions. 6/13/09
Orthodox Christianity and Capitalism Revisited
The previous podcast on this subject with Chris Banescu stimulated comments about whether we covered the bases on this issue fully or dispassionately enough. In this podcast Fr John Whiteford, an Orthodox priest and frequent conservative commentator and blogger, and Dr. Amir Azarvan, layman, political science lecturer, and avowed socialist revisit some of the issues. 6/26/09
Orthodox Christianity And Capitalism: Are They Compatible?
Interview (Podcast) that discusses the economic, moral and spiritual issues surrounding the “capitalist” economic model and whether it serves the best interests of Christians living the life of the Beatitudes. 4/19/09
A Primer on Capitalism
In today’s turbulent financial times and difficult economic conditions, a lot of unjustified criticism and unwarranted accusations have been laid at the doorstep of capitalism. 1/22/09 ( more by Chris Banescu)
The Task of Orthodox Theology in America Today
Fr. Alexander Schmemann - For the eternal task of theology is to refer the life of the Church to the absolute Truth of the Church's own tradition, to keep alive and operative a criterion by which the Church judges herself. Immersed in human history, the Church is always full of temptations and sins and, what is even more serious, of compromises and accommodations to the spirit of "this world."


Worship
  Calendar of Feasts
Orthodox Calendar of Main Church Feasts from 2004 through 2012.
  The Divine Liturgy
The word liturgy means common work or common action. The Divine Liturgy is the common work of the Orthodox Church. It is the official action of the Church formally gathered together as the chosen People of God.
  Various Private Prayers
Fr. John Whiteford has graciously compiled on his site a large list of various prayers.
  The Seven Sacraments
Fr. John Matusiak and Fr. Thomas Hopko answer questions about the Seven Sacraments of the Orthodox Faith.
  In Spirit and In Truth
Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, by His Holy Glorious Resurrection, gave man inner spiritual life, taught us to worship Him, and to serve God ‘in spirit and in truth’.


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