I don't understand why some people are anti-Episcopalian

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This...is not a thing.

The only criticism I’ve heard is that they are so ecumenical that they basically have no beliefs. They encourage sometimes questioning God’s existence. And they basically shy away from any controversial positions other than being kind to all and believing in all. It may be laudable but I think people like a religion with a little punch to it. Maybe? Just a thought.

This sounds good to me! Where’s a nice Episcopal church in Bethesda?

For the record, I’m poster above, I attend an Episcopal church regularly and my children attend a well known Episcopal private school. I was just trying to think of what kind of criticism there could be.

And yes I’ve been to many Episcopal events where clergy openly questioned God’s existence. I get it. They may be too intellectual and welcoming to have a bite that draws people.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My priest doesn't question the existence of God, but he openly welcomes the presence of those who do. I appreciate that he is welcoming to everyone, regardless of where they are on their spiritual journey. On the big holidays, he makes a point of saying, whether you believe or not, whether you come every week or twice a year, we are glad you are here. I think there are a number of people at my Episcopal church who aren't necessarily hardcore adherents to Episcopal dogma, but who are simply people who want to be part of a group that is trying to do good in the world.

My church is like this too. I love it because my husband is from a non-Abrahamic faith tradition and when he does occasionally attend services with me he doesn’t feel excluded or unwelcomed. My in laws were initially very uncomfortable with me taking the kids to a Christian church but have really come around as they’ve learned more about our church.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This...is not a thing.

+2

+3. Except for US “Anglicans” who left the Episcopal Church over the issue of women’s ordination. There used to be a vocal Anglican on DCUM who was unhappy that the (secular) courts didn’t give his break-away church the church building that belonged to the Episcopal Church.

[Anonymous]

This is like being anti-milquetoast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This...is not a thing.

The only criticism I’ve heard is that they are so ecumenical that they basically have no beliefs. They encourage sometimes questioning God’s existence. And they basically shy away from any controversial positions other than being kind to all and believing in all. It may be laudable but I think people like a religion with a little punch to it. Maybe? Just a thought.

This sounds good to me! Where’s a nice Episcopal church in Bethesda?

For the record, I’m poster above, I attend an Episcopal church regularly and my children attend a well known Episcopal private school. I was just trying to think of what kind of criticism there could be.

And yes I’ve been to many Episcopal events where clergy openly questioned God’s existence. I get it. They may be too intellectual and welcoming to have a bite that draws people.

To add, look at Catholics (which I used to be), Muslims, and the Jewish religion. If you called some Muslims or Jews on a holy day for work, guess what? They aren’t answering. Call an Episcopalian on Easter Sunday and they’ll be in the office after they can extract from brunch.

Oh please many many reform Jews I for one would answer the phone. At least a 1/3 or more of Jews are reform, they go to synagogue like maybe twice a year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This...is not a thing.

The only criticism I’ve heard is that they are so ecumenical that they basically have no beliefs. They encourage sometimes questioning God’s existence. And they basically shy away from any controversial positions other than being kind to all and believing in all. It may be laudable but I think people like a religion with a little punch to it. Maybe? Just a thought.

This sounds good to me! Where’s a nice Episcopal church in Bethesda?

For the record, I’m poster above, I attend an Episcopal church regularly and my children attend a well known Episcopal private school. I was just trying to think of what kind of criticism there could be.

And yes I’ve been to many Episcopal events where clergy openly questioned God’s existence. I get it. They may be too intellectual and welcoming to have a bite that draws people.

To add, look at Catholics (which I used to be), Muslims, and the Jewish religion. If you called some Muslims or Jews on a holy day for work, guess what? They aren’t answering. Call an Episcopalian on Easter Sunday and they’ll be in the office after they can extract from brunch.

Oh please many many reform Jews I for one would answer the phone. At least a 1/3 or more of Jews are reform, they go to synagogue like maybe twice a year.

Lol. The reformed Jews I know always make a big deal in taking off and being unavailable during the holidays in September and October and it is always given the uncomfortable side eye because they otherwise are clearly not religious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I grew up Catholic and attended an Episcopalian church for a few years as an adult. It felt like a country club with communion thrown in once a week. I was originally drawn to it for its lack of extreme positions on anything, but it all just felt pretty bland after a while. Lots of rich old white people who live in the nicest neighborhood of a very segregated city trying by really hard to appear to care about contemporary social issues and happy to throw money at them, but ultimately just looking for opportunities to trade business cards under the guise of fellowship.

But that’s an isolated impression and obviously all Episcopalian churches are not like that.

Wait . . . did I write this? Seriously, I totally get what you're saying PP. The Frozen Chosen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up Catholic and attended an Episcopalian church for a few years as an adult. It felt like a country club with communion thrown in once a week. I was originally drawn to it for its lack of extreme positions on anything, but it all just felt pretty bland after a while. Lots of rich old white people who live in the nicest neighborhood of a very segregated city trying by really hard to appear to care about contemporary social issues and happy to throw money at them, but ultimately just looking for opportunities to trade business cards under the guise of fellowship.

But that’s an isolated impression and obviously all Episcopalian churches are not like that.

Wait . . . did I write this? Seriously, I totally get what you're saying PP. The Frozen Chosen.

I could have so written this. I was active with an Episcopalian group though kid activities a long time ago but got tired of the forced snobbishness and forced exclusivity. I don't think those people can help themselves. It's way too entrenched in their culture. The Episcopalian church can be wonderful (Truro in Fairfax City, but haven't gone in eons). It can also be hidebound and at its worst it is nothing less than an extension of a country club social circle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up Catholic and attended an Episcopalian church for a few years as an adult. It felt like a country club with communion thrown in once a week. I was originally drawn to it for its lack of extreme positions on anything, but it all just felt pretty bland after a while. Lots of rich old white people who live in the nicest neighborhood of a very segregated city trying by really hard to appear to care about contemporary social issues and happy to throw money at them, but ultimately just looking for opportunities to trade business cards under the guise of fellowship.

But that’s an isolated impression and obviously all Episcopalian churches are not like that.

Wait . . . did I write this? Seriously, I totally get what you're saying PP. The Frozen Chosen.

I could have so written this. I was active with an Episcopalian group though kid activities a long time ago but got tired of the forced snobbishness and forced exclusivity. I don't think those people can help themselves. It's way too entrenched in their culture. The Episcopalian church can be wonderful (Truro in Fairfax City, but haven't gone in eons). It can also be hidebound and at its worst it is nothing less than an extension of a country club social circle.

For many years we were active participants in a liberal Episcopal parish where many members pride themselves on being "cradle Episcopalians" -- effectively claiming white and class privilege over other church members. These are well-meaning people who talk about loving our neighbors and I think they mean it, but they come from a pretty narrow perspective.

[Anonymous]

This thread explains why I don't belong to a church!

All of the stereotypes are SPOT ON.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This...is not a thing.

The only criticism I’ve heard is that they are so ecumenical that they basically have no beliefs. They encourage sometimes questioning God’s existence. And they basically shy away from any controversial positions other than being kind to all and believing in all. It may be laudable but I think people like a religion with a little punch to it. Maybe? Just a thought.

Grew up Episcopalian. Episcopalians believe in two things: a free market economy and cocktail hour.

[Anonymous]

I second the person who said it was like a country club. Husband is Catholic and I’m Christian so we attend one which is a happy medium. But it’s very wealthy people who are not truly following the word, or they seem scared to tell the congregation what it says. My opinion of our local church.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I second the person who said it was like a country club. Husband is Catholic and I’m Christian so we attend one which is a happy medium. But it’s very wealthy people who are not truly following the word, or they seem scared to tell the congregation what it says. My opinion of our local church.

Maybe they are scared to share their sophisticated, educated understanding of "the word" for fear the church would lose congregants.

Maybe their faith is not based on "the word" and instead based on on a modern understanding of goodness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up Catholic and attended an Episcopalian church for a few years as an adult. It felt like a country club with communion thrown in once a week. I was originally drawn to it for its lack of extreme positions on anything, but it all just felt pretty bland after a while. Lots of rich old white people who live in the nicest neighborhood of a very segregated city trying by really hard to appear to care about contemporary social issues and happy to throw money at them, but ultimately just looking for opportunities to trade business cards under the guise of fellowship.

But that’s an isolated impression and obviously all Episcopalian churches are not like that.

Yes, I agree. A lot of phoning it in. Going to church for the social aspect, and the sake of going, but nothing too deep.

I decided I didn't need a social gathering and stopped organized religion altogether. I still believe in God, grew up Catholic (13 years Catholic school), then tried many other religions before scrapping church altogether.

As far as school goes, some people send their kids simply for the education, with a big emphasis on ignoring the religious aspect of education. Parochial schools are more affordable private schools.

You are right PP, but it’s pretty rude to send your child to a religious school and then insult their religion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This...is not a thing.

Ha! Totally agree! I am half-hour Catholic + half-hour Jewish. People hate both. Episcopalians are the ruling class O.P.