In all fairness I have to say that I have been hugely impressed with the response of the Greek Orthodox Church over here during the financial meltdown and crisis that has plagued Greece over the last 4 years. They are spearheading a huge effort to get food and vital supplies to people who now have no incomes at all. They are working with supermarkets, common people, businesses and any other organisation that wants to, to feed thousands of people every day from children to pensioners.
About a year ago I met a priest at a barbecue who was very high up in the organisation and responsible for the relief efforts for Athens and suburbs. Have you ever met a priest with 3 mobile phones? I have. In the 3 hours he was with us I guess he took 30 calls, liaising with haulage companies, food distribution centres, food distribution networks (volunteers) and God knows who else.
Christianity, of the Church can "do good." Of that I am in no doubt.
My problem is simply that on balance it may not be worse than any other organisation but it certainly doesn't appear to be better. One would expect an organisation endorsed by God to be better than any other - and frankly, it isn't, for al the reasons in this thread and all the reasons we talk about the Catholic Church and all the reasons throughout history.....
About a year ago I met a priest at a barbecue who was very high up in the organisation and responsible for the relief efforts for Athens and suburbs. Have you ever met a priest with 3 mobile phones? I have. In the 3 hours he was with us I guess he took 30 calls, liaising with haulage companies, food distribution centres, food distribution networks (volunteers) and God knows who else.
Christianity, of the Church can "do good." Of that I am in no doubt.
My problem is simply that on balance it may not be worse than any other organisation but it certainly doesn't appear to be better. One would expect an organisation endorsed by God to be better than any other - and frankly, it isn't, for al the reasons in this thread and all the reasons we talk about the Catholic Church and all the reasons throughout history.....
Kuusi palaa, ja on viimeinen kerta kun annan vaimoni laittaa jouluvalot!
