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I got to experience an interesting thing this morning

(17 posts)

Started 3 months ago by lifeisamazing
Latest reply from iPlod

lifeisamazing

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The 20 something year old tenant that recently moved into my house is an Orthodox Christian. I'd never even heard of Orthodox Christianity. When she mentioned it after she moved in I was a bit surprised (I don't know - the name seemed to imply that she should be walking around in some sort of hassock praying all the time= not looking like a "normal" person. Assumptions crack me up sometimes)

I wondered how she would do living with me since my belief system is a bit, well, unorthodox. No problem.

Anyway, they have a tradition of blessing houses yearly and so she asked if I would mind if her priest came to the house to bless it. It was really interesting and a very touching ceremony involving holy water, a candle and beautiful prayers. My dog loved it, she followed us all over the house listening

I found it lovely that the priest had no problem blessing my office where my altar is.

He had a sense of humor and after he blessed my tenant at the end of the ceremony he asked if my other tenant and I wanted a "sprinkle". I said I'll take all the blessing I can get"

I love experiences where you get to see other peoples worlds.

Posted 3 months ago #
LandsOnTwoFeet

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I love that. I don't understand how people become "offended" by other peoples' beliefs. If it's not their belief, why get so hung up? As long as it's not hurting anybody, I think it's best to honor their goodwill and good intentions. Way to go lifeisamazing!

Posted 3 months ago #
Pokerguy

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It's nice to hear about religious leaders being tolerant of someone elses beliefs. We need more of that in the world.

Posted 3 months ago #
Edog

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I thought this was more common in places like Russia, Greece, Macedonia and so forth no?

Posted 3 months ago #
LY

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Don't forget Serbia.

And, yay, Pokerguy.

Posted 3 months ago #
Nora Bell

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Love that story, LIA! I agree with Pokerguy, the more of that the better. Religious tolerance still exists. So long as the person isn't trying to convert me, I say to each their own. I have a friend who is an Atheist and another that is a Christian. I am neither. And they get along just fine when together, btw.

Posted 3 months ago #
lifeisamazing

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I agree with all of you.
Dog -It is more common there as I understand it but there are Orthodox churches here as well.
You should have seen my dog listening to the prayers being sung. The priests wife laughed when it was over and said "I've never seen a dog follow us all over the house like that!"

Posted 3 months ago #
JerseyGirl

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Nice story! Thanks for posting.

Posted 3 months ago #
onederfullone

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"I love experiences where you get to see other peoples worlds."

And no criticism. +1

Posted 3 months ago #
allisonw

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There's really nothing more uncomfortable than having a "helpful" Christian try to help out a poor shiftless Atheist like myself.

I'm always tempted to do the same thing back to them so they could see how insulting it comes across.

Posted 3 months ago #
lifeisamazing

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HAHAHAHAHA!

Note to self - check the dictionary before hitting send post! Now I've got this picture in my head of her walking around in a foot cushion with a big hole in the middle around her neck! Where is the edit button!

cassock (ˈkæsək)
— n
Christianity an ankle-length garment, usually black, worn by priests and choristers

NOT

has·sock [has-uhk]
noun
a thick, firm cushion used as a footstool or for kneeling.

Posted 3 months ago #
teigyr

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I don't mind helpful as long as as long as the dialog goes both ways. Religious helpful doesn't bother me as much as political helpful - though there are definite similarities. My side is right, your side is wrong, you must join us or you're evil. I figure if a religious person wants to pray for me or wishes good things that are filtered by their belief system, that's great. Seriously, there are times I need all the good thoughts I can get. Actually there are tons of things I can think of (union, various activist groups, even exercise and diet) where people go overboard in their helpfulness and it's really ironic when people who are really overly helpful in some ways get upset when other groups are helpful in their own way.

Yup, not enough sleep last night :)

Posted 3 months ago #
Edog

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I don't care if you bless my house, but if you close the basement portal that belongs to the demon who lives in the attic, you are dealing with him not me.

Posted 3 months ago #
Corvus

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My dad, a preacher with a sense of humor, used to say "don't should on me" or "don't should on him / her".

Posted 3 months ago #
onederfullone

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"but if you close the basement portal that belongs to the demon who lives in the attic, you are dealing with him"

Amen. but I would say "her" for the record. ;-)

[edit] I've found I get along really well w/ preacher's kids.
wut is yer problem?

Posted 3 months ago #
Corvus

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Perhaps the problem isn't mine?

But seriously, I would like to sit down and hammer a few things out with you some day. It seems you have a decent heart you just can't seem to let it beat.

Posted 3 months ago #
iPlod

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A MyBallard Kumbayah moment. snnffl

Posted 3 months ago #