Anonymous wrote:I explained it a bit more. I'm more interested in theological devoutness, not the social justice bit.

What exactly is "theological devoutness"?

Ha if a pisco were devout they'd be a Catholic.

This is probably a dumb suggestion but I'm having my morning coffee and thought I'd throw it out there - have you read any of Jan Karon's novels? The protagonist is an Episcopalian priest and when I think of "devout Episcopalian" I have an image him in my mind. They're very comforting books.

Born and raised Episcopalian here. It's funny to hear it decribed as "loosey goosey" or all over the place. Because there are actually "more" rules in Episcopalianism, IMO, than the evangelical churches that have become so popular.


I can't speak for all Episcopalians, but in my experience, most are devout. The way Episcopalians worship and study the Bible are very different from Evangelical denominations, though. The Episcopal church doctrine is centered on the Bible, the Catechism, the Book of Common Prayer, and the Creeds. These give a different type of framework to belief and prayer than today's Evangelical Christianity, which often has no doctrine other than the Bible.

With a longer historical framework (doctrine) surrounding the Bible, Episcopalians don't take the Bible literally. They take it "seriously." And the supporting doctrine helps define and shape the way Episcopalians worship and study. For example, the Bible is not the inerrant word of God, it is inspired by God. Episcopalians believe that there are many contradictions and complexities in the Bible, but that the Gospel is the most important part, and that we should look at life and salvation through the examples of Jesus' life and teachings. Episcopalians also believe that God gave us a brain, so use it. In spiritual life as well.

And with that, you have people within the church who may think differently about different topics. And that's OK. And they are all still devout, even if they believe a bit differently from one another.

Nowadays the Episcopalians seem have an anything goes approach to Christianity. So as pp said, the tie between devout and Episcopalian leaves a lot of wiggle room.

Anonymous wrote:I thought "devout Episcopalian" was an oxymoron?

Haha you're hilarious and so original

I thought "devout Episcopalian" was an oxymoron?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it's easier to be a believing Episcopalian when the denomination gives me freedom from mental dissonance on things I care about, like LGBT rights (I'm not gay, but even so).

The Episcopalians can be very loosey goosey. They are not fussy at all about theology. Whatever feels good.

That's an over-simplification. On the LGBT issue, for example, you can make a valid theological argument that since Jesus didn't talk about homosexuality one way or another, it's not prohibited and previous structures were cultural. Episcopalians also aren't bible literalists, so they aren't held to Old Testsment views on homosexuality (and tthey see this as being supported by Jesus stating some things about what to keep from the OT and what he saw as less important). That's not "loosely goosy," instead it's a carefully thought-out theological position. Same with the Episcopal Church allowing women priests. But yes, they do tend to be more tolerant of doubters on most theological issues.

I explained it a bit more. I'm more interested in theological devoutness, not the social justice bit.

How do you define culturally Christian? I would consider myself a devout Episcopalian. We celebrate Halloween, we drink, we favor sex ed in school, and we're all for LGBT rights. On the other hand, we are very active in our parish, we attend multiple Holy Week services, and we send out Christmas cards that actually say Merry Christmas since that's the holiday we celebrate (and are delighted to get cards celebrating other holidays).

Anonymous wrote:How do you define devout?

I remember reading a post here about communion (I think in the Catholic Church) and Episcopalians and Methodists posting that they and their church believe it's a memorial, which is not the case. So I'd saying agreeing with the church's theology, praying every day (Does anyone on DCUM pray the Daily Office? I'd be surprised but willing to be corrected), mass every week, things like that.

How do you define devout?

Anonymous wrote:I think it's easier to be a believing Episcopalian when the denomination gives me freedom from mental dissonance on things I care about, like LGBT rights (I'm not gay, but even so).

The Episcopalians can be very loosey goosey. They are not fussy at all about theology. Whatever feels good.

I think it's easier to be a believing Episcopalian when the denomination gives me freedom from mental dissonance on things I care about, like LGBT rights (I'm not gay, but even so).

It seems that on DCUM, Episcopalians are more culturally Christian than devout Christians. That's not a judgement in the least, but how I see things. I'm wonder how accurate that it? On a Christian message board that I frequent, Episcopalian posters claim the exact opposite. I find the discrepancy curious.