Im glad I stumbled on Father Steven. His insights to modernity seem spot on. it really makes sense to say we have false choice when the advertising ecosystem caters to our passions. I work in advertising myself and the more I explore orthodoxy the more I want out of this career which deals in illusions.
I can't imagine working in advertising... I once (ten years ago) had it in my mind to be a writer, since I did so much of it anyway during arguing and debating online, and had been asked to submit a piece to a fairly popular, but outside the mainstream, political news and commentary site. The piece was well-received, and I was even likened to Hunter Thompson (a compliment, to my mind, in those days) but was asked to adjust one thing by the site's operators and editors: Use more "high emotional impact" language. The way they spoke of it made it clear that they wished to get people wound up, to sneak in some manipulation of the passions under the readers' radars, so to speak. I was a pretty good rabble rouser already in my natural style of writing, and wrote some pretty good rants and polemics, which was what they liked. But the idea of knowingly, wilfully trying to manipulate people disgusted me. I was very well aware even then that mainstream media outlets did just that, but I expected better from these people, especially since one of them I considered a friend (at least in the online sense) and respected him greatly. Needless to say, I declined, and walked away. Of course, me walking away from a freelance hobby, more or less, and you walking away from a career are in two totally different arenas. But all that, to say this: I get it. Even trying to live authentically yet completely without Christ, in those days, the manipulation and lying were too much. Now that I've come back to Him, it's even more clear to me that engaging in such would have put me on the same level as the institutions I was working against. I will pray for you, that the Lord will guide you to where He wants you, and that He will open doors for you.
Great start to a complicated question but full answer needs to encompass analysis of Church's capitulation to current social crisis in all its dimensions.
Does Fr Steven have an opinion on Sociology, too? I think I mean putting people into groups and catering for the group ,,'Over Sixties'for example rather than allowing individual choice in life style.
Very glad to see the father bring up natural laws/natural Law.... Something far too many like to pretend doesn't exist, or else they treat it as laughable that "Man-as-god" should be subject to the forces put in place by our Father in Heaven. Looking forward to the next.
Political discourse left the realm of "what is good for our nation, within the parameters of 2000 years of Western civilizational norms, as prescribed by our foundational documents and constitution?" and moved into the realm where one side advocates deliberate destruction of all norms and boundaries, even to destroying our ability to communicate clearly (semiotic terrorism). Nor was this accidental. Intellectual (so-called) movements, especially coming from Frankfurt School academics infiltrating academia, media, and government, were deliberately put in place to deconstruct Western society for the benefit of the perpetuation of Marxism. BTW, excellent example with the different ties-- that really hit home, as it's something I've skimmed the surface of myself. It is somewhat frightening to contemplate how easily our own wills are subverted and subtly influenced, as if by osmosis, and most of it flies completely under our radars, now matter how aware we are of these things.
The trouble istm is, in our polemicized culture where two main “tribes” have been diligently nurtured and fostered by messages in media, depending on which tribe is more identified with by our audience here, each will think this comment is alluding to the other tribe as the “agitator.” 😕 At least, that is my expectation given cultural influences that seem as prevalent in churches as outside them….
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Wise man
Im glad I stumbled on Father Steven. His insights to modernity seem spot on. it really makes sense to say we have false choice when the advertising ecosystem caters to our passions. I work in advertising myself and the more I explore orthodoxy the more I want out of this career which deals in illusions.
I can't imagine working in advertising... I once (ten years ago) had it in my mind to be a writer, since I did so much of it anyway during arguing and debating online, and had been asked to submit a piece to a fairly popular, but outside the mainstream, political news and commentary site.
The piece was well-received, and I was even likened to Hunter Thompson (a compliment, to my mind, in those days) but was asked to adjust one thing by the site's operators and editors: Use more "high emotional impact" language. The way they spoke of it made it clear that they wished to get people wound up, to sneak in some manipulation of the passions under the readers' radars, so to speak.
I was a pretty good rabble rouser already in my natural style of writing, and wrote some pretty good rants and polemics, which was what they liked. But the idea of knowingly, wilfully trying to manipulate people disgusted me. I was very well aware even then that mainstream media outlets did just that, but I expected better from these people, especially since one of them I considered a friend (at least in the online sense) and respected him greatly.
Needless to say, I declined, and walked away. Of course, me walking away from a freelance hobby, more or less, and you walking away from a career are in two totally different arenas. But all that, to say this: I get it. Even trying to live authentically yet completely without Christ, in those days, the manipulation and lying were too much.
Now that I've come back to Him, it's even more clear to me that engaging in such would have put me on the same level as the institutions I was working against.
I will pray for you, that the Lord will guide you to where He wants you, and that He will open doors for you.
Outstanding ! ...
A profound and timely message. Thank you.
Love it! Really looking forward to part 2
Thanks 😊 Stay tuned!
Great start to a complicated question but full answer needs to encompass analysis of Church's capitulation to current social crisis in all its dimensions.
Thanks for posting this interview. I very much agree with Fr. Stephen's analysis. I also subscribe to his podcast on Ancient Faith Radio.
Great interview! Hopefully there will be a part 2!!
There will indeed... stay tuned!
God bless him
❤
"You think you're thinking, but you are not."
Amen!
What a great mind!
Does Fr Steven have an opinion on Sociology, too? I think I mean putting people into groups and catering for the group ,,'Over Sixties'for example rather than allowing individual choice in life style.
Very glad to see the father bring up natural laws/natural Law.... Something far too many like to pretend doesn't exist, or else they treat it as laughable that "Man-as-god" should be subject to the forces put in place by our Father in Heaven.
Looking forward to the next.
Fr. Steven offers well-considered, Orthodox answers to questions regarding our complex human culture. Too bad you had to cut off his full response.
More to come! Full uncut interview was available to patrons a couple of months ago 😉
Political discourse left the realm of "what is good for our nation, within the parameters of 2000 years of Western civilizational norms, as prescribed by our foundational documents and constitution?" and moved into the realm where one side advocates deliberate destruction of all norms and boundaries, even to destroying our ability to communicate clearly (semiotic terrorism).
Nor was this accidental. Intellectual (so-called) movements, especially coming from Frankfurt School academics infiltrating academia, media, and government, were deliberately put in place to deconstruct Western society for the benefit of the perpetuation of Marxism.
BTW, excellent example with the different ties-- that really hit home, as it's something I've skimmed the surface of myself. It is somewhat frightening to contemplate how easily our own wills are subverted and subtly influenced, as if by osmosis, and most of it flies completely under our radars, now matter how aware we are of these things.
Our culture has become so politically charged because of a certain tribe constantly agitating.
who?
@@Jonny50ist we cant talk about them here
The trouble istm is, in our polemicized culture where two main “tribes” have been diligently nurtured and fostered by messages in media, depending on which tribe is more identified with by our audience here, each will think this comment is alluding to the other tribe as the “agitator.” 😕 At least, that is my expectation given cultural influences that seem as prevalent in churches as outside them….
@@riley.p.p what does that mean
The answer is not, "someone else needs to change." The answer is, "I need to change."
Utterly irrelevant.