Antiochian
Rationalist
Is it possible to be a faithful Orthodox yet not totally agree with all church teaching?
I don't mean on the big stuff, such as Christology, ecclesiology, or soteriology... but say, being an Orthodox while not agreeing with an exclusively male priesthood, or not agreeing with official positions on ecumenism (depending on your jurisdiction), or disagreeing with priests who say you should never pray with non-Orthodox.
Kind of like how many faithful RC's disagree with teaching on birth control as a matter of conscience... So, to return to the example: if I were an Orthodox who believed in the truth of this faith, in Christ as the way to salvation, and in trying to live a holy life as far as possible, but in conscience couldn't agree with the male-only priesthood. Am I really Orthodox? Am I jeopardizing my soul?
I realize that faithfulness to tradition and authority are important, but are Orthodox also encouraged to think for themselves? Because I don't believe Christ was asking for blind obedience.
I don't mean on the big stuff, such as Christology, ecclesiology, or soteriology... but say, being an Orthodox while not agreeing with an exclusively male priesthood, or not agreeing with official positions on ecumenism (depending on your jurisdiction), or disagreeing with priests who say you should never pray with non-Orthodox.
Kind of like how many faithful RC's disagree with teaching on birth control as a matter of conscience... So, to return to the example: if I were an Orthodox who believed in the truth of this faith, in Christ as the way to salvation, and in trying to live a holy life as far as possible, but in conscience couldn't agree with the male-only priesthood. Am I really Orthodox? Am I jeopardizing my soul?
I realize that faithfulness to tradition and authority are important, but are Orthodox also encouraged to think for themselves? Because I don't believe Christ was asking for blind obedience.