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Christians and sweat shops overseas

Father Orthoduck is aware that Christians from every political persuasion have condemned the sweat shops and forced child labor used in several of the countries that provide our clothing, toys, etc. There is no religious support for children being exploited by adult owners in order to save wages and benefits in order to make better profits and be able to undercut the competition. Ah, but, never worry,... [Read more]

Does God like democracy? — part 04

So, if a human monarchy does not appear to be what God wishes as his most preferred government then what type of governmental system does God prefer? Well, I could go governmental style by governmental style, but let me cut to the chase. The Scriptures do not give support for any one type of governmental system. As I pointed out, a human monarchy type of system does not appear to be God’s preferred... [Read more]

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Pope Benedict’s reply to Teddy Kennedy

As has been widely reported, the late Senator Edward (Teddy) Kennedy sent a letter to Pope Benedict XVI shortly before his death. Excerpts from the letter and the pontiff’s reply were read at Sen. Kennedy’s private burial service. I will only quote part of the reported reply from the pontiff. “His Holiness prays that in the days ahead, you may be sustained in faith and hope, and granted... [Read more]

Does God like democracy? – part 03

Now yesterday it might have seemed that I was supporting a monarchy, but that would not be true. I was pointing out some of the arguments that can be made pro-monarchy. But, there are arguments that can be made against a human monarchy. One version of that argument is found in the Book of Samuel. Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, and said to him, “Look,... [Read more]

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Does God like democracy? – part 02

It would be easy at this point to give one of the standard answers and say that God does not care what type of government is ruling in a particular area. And, there is quite some truth to that. A quite good case can be made that God is more interested in the behavior of the government than in the structure of the government. Even Plato, who lived several centuries before Christ, argued that a truly... [Read more]

Does God like democracy? – part 01

One of our major cultural assumptions is that we are destined to spread democracy throughout the world. Now, when I say “destined,” I mean destined in the full sense of the 19th century idea of Manifest Destiny. As you listen to recordings of presidents from both Democrat and Republican ranks, you can hear the drumbeat of the idea that our particular calling in the world is that of spreading... [Read more]

When to use incense

After watching this video Father Orthoduck found himself thinking two things. One, Father Orthoduck is very very glad that he is Orthodox. Two, may I suggest that this is a situation in which even the most die-hard Evangelical may wish to use lots of incense? termsSHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "When to use incense", url: "http://www.orthocuban.com/2009/08/when-to-use-incense/" }); Read More →

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Israel was neither a democracy nor a constitutional monarchy

This is a small caveat to all our discussions in which we look at Old Testament Israel to try to apply some of what was done back then to today’s economic and political situations and this caveat applies whether we are conservative or liberal. Israel was not a representative democracy. Israel was not a constitutional monarchy. Israel was not a parliamentary democracy. Israel was not a laissez... [Read more]

On false accusations

Father Orthoduck is not a fan of Rush Limbaugh. I agree with those who say that he has gone beyond being the entertainer he claims to be to being a person that is dangerous to the well-being of the USA. Nevertheless, that is no excuse for passing on false information about him. So, here is your quiz for today. How many of the statements above did Rush Limbaugh actually make? Father Orthoduck will... [Read more]

John 6 was not just offensive to Jews

Huw, another blogger, comments on the Gospel of John, chapter 6. St. John 6 is the chapter that has Jesus’ teaching on eating his Body and drinking his Blood. The Gospel is offensive. It was so to some early Jewish followers and also to some Gentiles who heard it. So it is to many of us. But if you’ve heard it wrong, I suggest the problem is with what you heard: not with the Bible, not with... [Read more]