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Die Untermensche's avatar

Several months ago my wife and I traveled through Greece and Macedonia and we visited many Byzantine, Orthodox churches. I was heartened for the future to see so many worshipers in them including many young people. They embodied long-standing heart-felt faith and tradition and I came away with a sense that the Orthodox have not sold their faith to the whims of modernity, as the pope has the Catholics or the Archbishop of Cantebury has the Anglicans. I came away with hope, which is all one can ask for in religion.

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Karl Sanchez's avatar

I know what I'd like to see, but agree with your point too. There's a positivity that's actually progressive within Orthodox Humanistic Conservatism. The stress on the communal, familial and that interconnection with village/town/city/state/nation ties society together making it stronger even when there's great diversity. What I'd like to see is a correction to the Bible so it actually relates what Jesus said is what the prayer says--forgive them their debts--not sins. Jesus didn't die for humanity's "sins;" he was juridically murdered for tying to free humanity from debt bondage. The true story is too radical to be known but it needs to be so.

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Sean's avatar

"Jesus was murdered 2000 years ago for trying to free humanity from debt bondage?"

You should start the 'Holy Church of Debtology' Karl. :-)

Thanks for the translations, excellent, ties some things together. Happy Xmas!

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Karl Sanchez's avatar

Dr. Hudson's the one who ought to the initiator, but he's too caught up with his research, writing and its dissemination to really do so. But you have the right idea as if there's going to be a church it ought to be called the Genuine Jesus Church. First thing I might do if I were to go activist on that idea is to have a billboard sign saying Jesus died trying to rid of debt bondage, not for our sins, since they're hundreds if not thousands such signs spreading what's a false gospel.

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Johannes S. Herbst's avatar

Thank you for informing us in a steady flow about Russian politics and economics. The more I read the more I am fascinated from this great land. I am starting to think about to visit it and maybe even to so some work there.

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Karl Sanchez's avatar

More power to you! Lots of jobs available there. Just visit the Russian consulate or embassy nearest you.

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Andrew's avatar

Really appreciate your contribution, Karl. Great to review all these original sources.

I am getting such an overwhelming sense of forward motion happening in Russia. Their industriousness, their ready access to raw materials, their supreme products reveal that a new and highly competent world is emerging. Think of the increase in the volume of trade and exchange happening in the future!

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Karl Sanchez's avatar

Yes, I'd buy Russian bonds. When you see what's happening, it's very positive; Russia just needs more people to really boom like China did. Because of the development's high humanistic nature, it will attract mimickers. The other Central Asian Stans have other arrangements and still fit in. I see the rearrangement becoming far more productive than anything attained during the Soviet Era. IMO, the leaders of the other Stans have learned that their best prospects is to remain in the Central Asian orbit with Russia and China and reject Western overtures.

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richardstevenhack's avatar

"our troops are able to reach a wider operational space. This is, of course, a matter for local commanders, specialists of the General Staff and the Ministry of Defense, but it is a separate issue. But, in any case, such an opportunity appears on this site."

Indeed Russia will definitely enter a "wider operational space" - right up to the Polish and Romanian borders.

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Diana van Eyk's avatar

Hi Karl,

The title of this article makes me curious about what people do in Russia for a mid-winter celebration. Best wishes to you and yours for whatever you celebrate.

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Karl Sanchez's avatar

I celebrate life every day when I wake up alive. This site has reams of info that's a nice surf when you have the time. This page's story, " Russia’s main New Year’s tree: From the forest to the Kremlin,' from 2020, https://www.rbth.com/lifestyle/333164-kremlin-new-year-tree

And here's another that's closer to your question, Why the hell do Russians have 11 DAYS off in January? https://www.rbth.com/lifestyle/333269-long-january-holidays-russia

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Diana van Eyk's avatar

Eleven days off in January?! Sounds wonderful!

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MistyAnn's avatar

Thank you, Karl, and Merry Christmas to you and yours.

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Karl Sanchez's avatar

Yes, thanks for your support and happy Holidays!

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