Dimitrios Lambropoulos, theologian | November 23, 2023
Patriarch Bartholomew was in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
(November 3-6, 2023) where he delivered two talks, the first at the 16th “World
Politics Conference” with the general theme “The international
system between globalization and disintegration: Which forces will
prevail?” His talk was entitled, “Religion: Hope in a changing
world”. His second talk entitled, “The compass of conscience:
Guiding ethical action in a warming world” was given at the “COP28”
conference on the so-called climate change, which had as its general
theme, “Stream of Consciousness: Uniting Faith Leaders for Planetary
Revival”. How many times has the Patriarch traveled to a rich Arab
country to preach Christ?
Religion: The network of politics
The Patriarch stated at the outset that in the context of
the present conference, he would not be talking about faith as salvation. He
stated,
“The question asked [Which forces
will prevail?”] has a broader scope, that of the global future. It concerns the
political and geopolitical influence of religion.”
That is, religion can be a mechanism to parallel
other institutions, and offer hope:
“If the economy and politics can no
longer inspire hope, can we turn to religion?”
He not only equates religion with the secular
sphere, but also equates all religions:
“In their teachings and rituals and
in the organization of social ties, religions mobilize the wisdom that man has
accumulated for millennia.”
He also says,
“Our [diverse] faith traditions
share fundamental teachings concerning the spiritual responsibility to care for
God’s creation. Our sacred texts command us to protect our common home.”
So according to him, all religions have wisdom, love for
God’s creation (even though some believe in “deities” who oppose the
Creation) and sacred texts. “Wisdom”, the Patriarch is saying, is
human, not divine, as the Apostle says (1 Cor
2:1-16). “Rituals”
(read magic) are approved by him as the path of [acquiring] this “wisdom”!
All of these words were spoken for only one purpose: To
promote the religions as the healers of the political systems:
“Religions have, in their
traditions, the necessary elements to fill the void that has settled in souls.
[Religions] can help breathe new life into democratic societies.” (!)
as the following:
“Religious and indigenous
communities offer ancient wisdom for sustainable living today; their voices can
help transform society.”
So then, according to the Patriarch, is saving a
democratic society also a goal of theocratic Islam??
The Patriarch also says that religions have an advantage
over secular institutions as mechanisms:
“Religious institutions have the
ability to reach, through their teachings, more people than international
organizations, think tanks or NGOs.”
That is, it is easy for them to go after people because of
what they proclaim, even if it means terrorizing souls or peddling false
metaphysical expectations.
The Phanar: The perfect hook
It is easy for one to see that the patriarchal line of
reasoning gradually leads the minds of his listeners to his purpose, to
demonstrate the Patriarchate of Constantinople’s position and role in this
mechanism. The reasoning is plain to see:
“Most religious networks cross
continents and borders. Therefore, they form a spiritual structure that can
help moderate the forces of separation and division... The Ecumenical
Patriarchate of Constantinople, with its global presence, is a model example of
this. Its presence and acceptance could prove particularly beneficial.”
So we see that the universal Orthodox Church is nowhere
to be seen, having been replaced by, and only by, the Patriarchate of
Constantinople! The Phanar views itself as a multinational company called
“Patriarchate Corp.” and not as the Church of the true Faith. As for the
other autocephalous Orthodox Churches, they are written off. The reason he
wants jurisdiction over the entire Diaspora is not for the canonical reasons he
has maintained, but in order to have power which he can use as a negotiating
card for his political objectives.
The Patriarchate inserts itself into “world politics” and
touts itself as the unifying force of the world, holding in one hand the
world roadmap which penetrates the other religions, and in the other hand the
“parchments” to support him, which other religious groups involved in
inter-religious dialogue initiatives do not possess:
“The long history of coexistence,
dialogue and exchanges, not only with Judaism, but also with Islam, is a real
advantage the Christian world has.”
and also:
“We remain active participants in
the inter-religious dialogue, for the protection of the environment.”
“The new normal” according to Patriarch Bartholomew
It is evident that his dialoguing is conducted for no other
reason but to serve the priorities of the political “agenda”: now the
environment, now health measures, now the ideology about the “West”, etc. It is
not by chance that he refers to: “relations between the West and the
rest of the world”. He says, “The Russian invasion of Ukraine
and now the terrible war between Hamas and Israel have revealed a growing
spiritual divide between these two blocs”. So Russia and Hamas belong
to the same side... of “terrorism”?
However, “the big plan” suddenly comes into view with the
following revelations in the two talks:
“Leaders of the different religions
must coordinate their efforts in order to magnify the beneficial results of
their ancestral traditions. This is why interfaith dialogue is necessary.”
and
“Cooperation is the new normal! Like
never before, disparate groups are forming alliances to protect civilization
and planetary health. ... In order to sustain cooperation between different
religions and partners in science and society, we must create a lasting
mechanism... that will turn strong intentions into actualized results. Together
we are greater from the sum of our parts.”!
Who will be “responsible” for this cooperation? The Phanar
itself? “What kind of fellowship can light have with darkness?” (2 Cor
6:14) Could it be that, if international
laws had not been established and if there were no political and military
powers, that some [violent] religions would also be “peace-loving”?
The focus of his talks was “cooperation” among
religions and the creation of a “permanent mechanism” in order
to achieve this cooperation. How will this mechanism be implemented?
First, after we learn to respect or just tolerate people’s
freedom to believe even in idols, we will be led to the next step, that
of embracing other religions. How else will “cooperation” be possible?
Second, Orthodoxy will be abandoned as a witness to
[Jesus Christ who is] the truth and the “Orthodox Church” will be promoted as a
procurer of utilitarianism, since the criterion for its contribution will be
“global benefit” as defined by the politicians...
Third, who will be the “coordinator” of this mechanism? Is
anyone so naïve as to believe that a “permanent synod of religions” will be a
neutral and independent body, while “the watchmen have the knowledge” of how
all the international organizations function (UN, WHO, NATO, etc.)?
Is bowing to political agendas and promoting them part of
the episcopal mission of the Patriarch of Constantinople?
Until now, no one had even thought of such a mechanism, and
now all of a sudden Patriarch Bartholomew has this brilliant idea? What
does “together we are greater from the sum of our parts” mean? What
are the “parts” of the Patriarchate? Does togetherness with other
religions surpass the power of God in the Orthodox Church? Is
geopolitical influence the only concern of... “a man of God”?
Spokesperson of the USA?
It is dangerous, if not ecclesiastically reprehensible, to
give a theoretical foundation to something completely foreign to theology. This
reveals, therefore, that an equalizing of everything is being attempted,
and not just that, but also the promotion of a pan-religion is being taken
to the next level. Interfaith dialogue has been a preparatory stage in order to
create the necessary conditions for this “permanent mechanism” proposed by...
the “Orthodox” Patriarch! Subsequently, by submitting the religions to each
political expediency, direct control of them is given to those who are
“responsible”, who will keep their mouth closed when the state gives an order,
since the “West” is always on the “right side of history”. For them, this new
world religion is also inherently good, because it will be a creation of
Antichrist! Whoever does not go along with the para-religion will be labeled
as... a terrorist!
When the essentially non-existent hierarchy of the Phanar do
not oppose Patriarch Bartholomew’s participating in “conferences of world
politics” and his promoting views which they do not approve of, it means that
already, nothing is left anymore, whatever it had is gone, not even a reminder
that it is a Church!
Original Greek source:
English source:
https://www.orthodoxwitness.org/patriarch-of-constantinople-calls-for-apermanent-pan-religion-synod/
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