christian fundamentalism

[Dhavlos]

[Bananiot]

Probably one of the most fundamentalist priests we have is the Bishop of Limassol, Athanasios (by the way, they address themselves as "saints", these Bishops). Apart from his zero tolerance to other religions or sects within the Christian faith, he is renown for leading many young people to monasteries where they abandon secular life and devote themselves to the monastic life. As far as I can tell, the Bishop of Morphou is not like that and as Ferdi Soyer once said, I am not a practicing faithful, but I would have no problem in praying in his church, meaning that one can see an ecumenical approach and respect for the difference in Neophytos's stance.

Some more simple practices for the benefit of Kifeas who does not seem to see the need for the separation of the roles of state and church.

1. There are religious symbols (orthodox of course) in every single classroom of every single school in Cyprus. This rule has no exemption.
2. In every form that parents fill for registration purposes or other, the question about faith ranks among the first.
3. Three times a year and sometimes more, pupils are taken to a church and are given no option to miss this "important" activity. This is done at the expense of lessons.
4. Churches are erected at an alarming rate in every neighbourhood. Huge monsters that cost millions of pounds. A good example is the one almost opposite "Cyneplex" in Strovolos, Nicosia. This one, apparently, is going to be an exact replica of Agia Sophia.

Some comments on Kifeas's points:

* Daily prayers are a must, at all levels of education, be they elementary or higher.
* Our society has no tolerance for children that are not baptised. In fact, quite simply I do not know of any.
* Christians of other denominations who challenge the wisdom of orthodoxy are ridiculed and marginalised.
* Even Vasiliou had to abide by the practice of getting a green light from the church before appointing the Education Minister.

[erolz]

Are you allowed to have such discussion on a Sunday?

[Kifeas]

[Bananiot]

There is no need for me to answer erol's question because I still have the necessary sense of humour to understand a good joke.

I never claimed that homeinism prevails in Cyprus. All I am saying is that the church should stick to its spiritual role. However, I have strong doubts as to the ability of the high priests to play this role, if I judge them on their antics, as they jockey for positions in the face of archbishopric elections which should have taken place a long time ago in view of Chrisostomos's worsening Alzheimer's disease.

[Bananiot]

Cannedmoose wrote

[cannedmoose]

[Crash Test Dummy]

Quite sad that people pay thousands of pounds on Churches so they have a 'real wedding' even though they never go to church.

[cannedmoose]

[Alexandros Lordos]

[Alexandros Lordos]

[Bananiot]

Yes you have Alexandros!

You, quite conveniently gave a cost analysis, only! (LOL). Would you now care to give an analysis of earnings? Just to get a "spherical" prospective of the business part of weddings. of course this has nothing to do with the point you wanted to make. Yes, the church should ask for more for services rendered but I am sure it does not escape your attention that the church, the biggest business on the island, pays no taxes for its possessions or indeed the millions of pounds that it manages every year in (shady) deals.

Would you like to hear a funny one? I am sure you would, here you go.

A colleague of mine went to pay his monthly due to the Bishopric of Kikkou from where he bought a plot of land. He was sitting in the hall with some other people, some of them were beggars who went to ask Nikiphoros for money. The secretary (a priest) came out in a while with a bunch of notes and started handing out 20 pounds to each. My friend of course, said to him, look, I did not come to beg for money. I came to pay money. Nikiphoros heard the argument and stepped in: Did they befriend you with a coffee? He asked.

[Alexandros Lordos]

I believe it is appropriate for the church to have earnings, so that from these earnings it pays for its own running costs and also has money left over for charitable deeds. A prerequisite however, is that there should be sound financial management, unlike the sorry state of nepotism and corruption we witnessed in recent years.

As for whether the church's earnings should be tax-free or not, this doesn't concern me nearly as much as what the church does with her earnings.

As for Nikiphoros, I don't like his style. He is too much of a politician and a businessman to be a true priest, in my opinion. He is too concerned about getting elected as Archbishop, and too loose with giving away the church's property if it will buy him votes.

"Giving handouts" is not IMO the way the church's money should be primarily spent. It is better if they are invested in long-term charitable projects, such as orphanages, medical centres, etc. etc., with appropriate endowment so that these establishments will continue to help people long after the priest who founded them has passed away.

[Dhavlos]

Or maybe the church could help fund some bi-communal projects!!!!!!

[cannedmoose]