NationStates Jolt Archive

So, some folks and I were discussing the Pope, and I mentioned that I thought I'd seen somewhere that prior to being Pope, he was in charge of a council or group whose purpose was to define and preserve Catholic orthodoxy.

One fellow claimed this was impossible, because the Orthodox Christian Church is a different group from Catholics and preceded to give quite a bit of background on the Eastern Orthodox church, of which I was generally aware.

I acknowledged that there was such a group, but that I was using the term "orthodoxy" to refer to a stringent adherence to a codified range of beliefs and doctrines, that could occur in almost any group. I tried to apply the example of a very "orthodox programmer", who eschewed unorthodox programming methods.

He was, however, insistent that because I was using it in a religious context, I was incorrect to reference "Catholic orthodoxy", because orthodoxy must refer to the Eastern Orthodox church when the term is applied to christianity.

What say you, Nationstates? Was it linguistically meaningful for me to refer to "Catholic orthodoxy" or am I in error?

So, some folks and I were discussing the Pope, and I mentioned that I thought I'd seen somewhere that prior to being Pope, he was in charge of a council or group whose purpose was to define and preserve Catholic orthodoxy.

One fellow claimed this was impossible, because the Orthodox Christian Church is a different group from Catholics and preceded to give quite a bit of background on the Eastern Orthodox church, of which I was generally aware.

I acknowledged that there was such a group, but that I was using the term "orthodoxy" to refer to a stringent adherence to a codified range of beliefs and doctrines, that could occur in almost any group. I tried to apply the example of a very "orthodox programmer", who eschewed unorthodox programming methods.

He was, however, insistent that because I was using it in a religious context, I was incorrect to reference "Catholic orthodoxy", because orthodoxy must refer to the Eastern Orthodox church when the term is applied to christianity.

What say you, Nationstates? Was it linguistically meaningful for me to refer to "Catholic orthodoxy" or am I in error?

You are not in error. There is a big difference between Orthodox and orthodox. In fact, a Catholic with unusual thoughts could be an unorthodox Orthodox. :p

I support beating him upside the head with something large, like the Pope. Who is pretty orthodox, but not Orthodox.

I support beating him upside the head with something large, like the Pope. Who is pretty orthodox, but not Orthodox.

That would be a bit unorthodox. *nod*

You are not in error. There is a big difference between Orthodox and orthodox. In fact, a Catholic with unusual thoughts could be an unorthodox Orthodox. :p

I wish I'd thought of that example, or a Greek Orthodox who departs from from some central dogmatic theme and is an unorthodox Orthodox.

I support beating him upside the head with something large, like the Pope. Who is pretty orthodox, but not Orthodox.

Almost everything you say turns me on.

That said, I'm glad what I said makes enough sense that's its apparent to reasonable and sexy people and clowns.

Almost everything you say turns me on.

You get turned on by beating people with the Pope? Man, that's kinky even for me!

You get turned on by beating people with the Pope? Man, that's kinky even for me!

Papal Sadomasochism. :eek:

Papal Sadomasochism. :eek:

Kinky, like Papalanal.

Most likely there's some obscure church with a dozen members called Catholic Orthodoxy that's a weird fusion of catholic and orthodox beliefs.

EDIT: Totally called it (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthodox-Catholic_Church_of_America_(OCCA)).

You get turned on by beating people with the Pope? Man, that's kinky even for me!

You just let me know when you've had you fill of the Unorthodox Jew...he might be able to pahk the cah in the Hahvahd Yahd, but I can back the bus into your Ivy League.

Most likely there's some obscure church with a dozen members called Catholic Orthodoxy that's a weird fusion of catholic and orthodox beliefs.

Heh, some funky deschism, with a Popetriarch that does Mass in Esperanto.

You just let me know when you've had you fill of the Unorthodox Jew...he might be able to pahk the cah in the Hahvahd Yahd, but I can back the bus into your Ivy League.

Via phone, he points out that he cannot, in fact, pahk any cahs in Hahvahd Yahd, seeing as it's illegal. Although maybe that just makes it more fun... ;)

Via phone, he points out that he cannot, in fact, pahk any cahs in Hahvahd Yahd, seeing as it's illegal. Although maybe that just makes it more fun... ;)

He can park the car in the harvard yard, by which he means he can insert his supinely aimed tallwacker into the descending pale hind of a Yaley.

They're all like that, darling.

He can park the car in the harvard yard, by which he means he can insert his supinely aimed tallwacker into the descending pale hind of a Yaley.

They're all like that, darling.

He'd better not be impaling Yalie hinies, or his formerly-Yalie hinie will pay for it. :p

So, some folks and I were discussing the Pope, and I mentioned that I thought I'd seen somewhere that prior to being Pope, he was in charge of a council or group whose purpose was to define and preserve Catholic orthodoxy.

One fellow claimed this was impossible, because the Orthodox Christian Church is a different group from Catholics and preceded to give quite a bit of background on the Eastern Orthodox church, of which I was generally aware.

I acknowledged that there was such a group, but that I was using the term "orthodoxy" to refer to a stringent adherence to a codified range of beliefs and doctrines, that could occur in almost any group. I tried to apply the example of a very "orthodox programmer", who eschewed unorthodox programming methods.

He was, however, insistent that because I was using it in a religious context, I was incorrect to reference "Catholic orthodoxy", because orthodoxy must refer to the Eastern Orthodox church when the term is applied to christianity.

What say you, Nationstates? Was it linguistically meaningful for me to refer to "Catholic orthodoxy" or am I in error?
big O, little o eh? not unlike the use of catholic to mean the whole of christendom by protestants. little c, big C, huge difference.

He'd better not be impaling Yalie hinies, or his formerly-Yalie hinie will pay for it. :p
That doesn't sound like a disincentive. ;)

Oh, and Sarge, buy your idiot friend a dictionary for a present. You might also want to make a universal cocktail party joke of his inability to tell the difference between "orthodox" and "Orthodox." Fuck, if he's that stupid, I'll bet he doesn't even know the difference between "Catholic" and "catholic."

EDIT: BAH! *stares daggers at Ashmoria for getting to the "catholic" thing before me*

One fellow claimed this was impossible, because the Orthodox Christian Church is a different group from Catholics and preceded to give quite a bit of background on the Eastern Orthodox church, of which I was generally aware.

That fellow is either
a) ignorant
b) being blunt on purpose

Merriam-Webster:


Main Entry: or·tho·doxy
Pronunciation: \ˈȯr-thə-ˌdäk-sē\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural or·tho·dox·ies
Date: 1630
1: the quality or state of being orthodox
2: an orthodox belief or practice
3capitalized a: Eastern Orthodox Christianity b: orthodox judaism


Main Entry: 1or·tho·dox
Pronunciation: \ˈȯr-thə-ˌdäks\
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English orthodoxe, from Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French orthodoxe, from Late Latin orthodoxus, from Late Greek orthodoxos, from Greek orth- + doxa opinion — more at doxology
Date: 15th century
1 a: conforming to established doctrine especially in religion b: conventional
2capitalized : of, relating to, or constituting any of various conservative religious or political groups: as a: eastern orthodox b: of or relating to Orthodox Judaism
— or·tho·dox·ly adverb


To sum it up, anyone can be orthodox about a codified set of beliefs, ideas, rules. Wherever there can be a consensus, there's orthodoxy.

By the same standard of that pal's of yours, you can't protest unless you're a Protestant Christian.

As others have said, Orthodox is significantly different from orthodox, as is Catholic from catholic.

Papal Sadomasochism. :eek:

I support every word in this post.

So, some folks and I were discussing the Pope, and I mentioned that I thought I'd seen somewhere that prior to being Pope, he was in charge of a council or group whose purpose was to define and preserve Catholic orthodoxy.

One fellow claimed this was impossible, because the Orthodox Christian Church is a different group from Catholics and preceded to give quite a bit of background on the Eastern Orthodox church, of which I was generally aware.

I acknowledged that there was such a group, but that I was using the term "orthodoxy" to refer to a stringent adherence to a codified range of beliefs and doctrines, that could occur in almost any group. I tried to apply the example of a very "orthodox programmer", who eschewed unorthodox programming methods.

He was, however, insistent that because I was using it in a religious context, I was incorrect to reference "Catholic orthodoxy", because orthodoxy must refer to the Eastern Orthodox church when the term is applied to christianity.

What say you, Nationstates? Was it linguistically meaningful for me to refer to "Catholic orthodoxy" or am I in error?

Dude needs to screw his head back on right, he's just blowing steam out of his ears.

It shouldn't make me feel better that others agree, but I suppose it does. Language is one of our little hopes to be understood, and that what I said makes sense to NSG seriously does comfort me.

It shouldn't make me feel better that others agree, but I suppose it does. Language is one of our little hopes to be understood, and that what I said makes sense to NSG seriously does comfort me.

If you can be understood and agreed with on NSG, then you can be understood -anywhere-. *nod*

So, some folks and I were discussing the Pope, and I mentioned that I thought I'd seen somewhere that prior to being Pope, he was in charge of a council or group whose purpose was to define and preserve Catholic orthodoxy.

One fellow claimed this was impossible, because the Orthodox Christian Church is a different group from Catholics and preceded to give quite a bit of background on the Eastern Orthodox church, of which I was generally aware.

I acknowledged that there was such a group, but that I was using the term "orthodoxy" to refer to a stringent adherence to a codified range of beliefs and doctrines, that could occur in almost any group. I tried to apply the example of a very "orthodox programmer", who eschewed unorthodox programming methods.

He was, however, insistent that because I was using it in a religious context, I was incorrect to reference "Catholic orthodoxy", because orthodoxy must refer to the Eastern Orthodox church when the term is applied to christianity.

What say you, Nationstates? Was it linguistically meaningful for me to refer to "Catholic orthodoxy" or am I in error?
Is he aware of the difference between catholic and Catholic, or just an all around twit?

I think you were using a correct term. There are many people in the Catholic Church who adhere to a strict set of rules and dogma that can be considered orthodox. Orthodoxy happens in every religion, that's why you can read about Jewish orthodoxy.