Anonymous wrote:This is not meant to be snarky at all. Just an honest question that seems well-suited to an anonymous forum.

The Episcopal Church is the American branch of the Anglican church, right? And the Anglican Church was begun by King Henry VIII. He broke from Rome because he wanted to divorce his faithful wife. He was a womanizer, a glutton, and a murderer. His rejection of authority led to a church that changes the rules along the way.

How could such a church be the one, holy, universal, and apostolic one?

From the comments here, I gather most people see religion differently than I do. It seems to be something that is an extension of the self, rather than something transcendental. Maybe it is just my temperament, but I cannot imagine seeing God as something I create for myself, rather than Someone who just Is.

Again, truly, no offense meant. But if God is another name for the Creator of everything, the Author of life, the Alpha and the Omega, unchanging and eternal and omniscient and perfect, how could we be able to make Him whatever we want Him to be?

Henry VIII did not break from the Roman Catholic churchsolely based upon his desire for a divorce. Martin Luther's 95 Theses were posted 20 years early, which eventually lead to the Lutheran Church. During this time period, there was a lot of discontenetment with how The Roman Catholic Church and Rome were excercising power. The were certainly not being following any Christian tenants.
http://anglican.org/church/ChurchHistory.html

No where in the bible is the Roman Catholic Chruch mentioned. At no time did Jesus establish a church. Matthew 18:20 "When 2 or 3 are gathered in my name, I am among them."

The name of a church is immaterial. The Anglican Church follows the same basic tenants as the Catholic Church. The belief in transubstantiation is the main difference, and if you read the bible, it is not clear on whether Christ is using a metaphor or not. Hence, why the Anglican church chooses to refrain from dictating the exact meaning.

Why do you think that belonging to the Roman Catholic Church makes you a true believer? Lineage? I don't think so, because you would have to claim all the abuses of the Catholic Church.

This is not meant to be snarky at all. Just an honest question that seems well-suited to an anonymous forum.

The Episcopal Church is the American branch of the Anglican church, right? And the Anglican Church was begun by King Henry VIII. He broke from Rome because he wanted to divorce his faithful wife. He was a womanizer, a glutton, and a murderer. His rejection of authority led to a church that changes the rules along the way.

How could such a church be the one, holy, universal, and apostolic one?

From the comments here, I gather most people see religion differently than I do. It seems to be something that is an extension of the self, rather than something transcendental. Maybe it is just my temperament, but I cannot imagine seeing God as something I create for myself, rather than Someone who just Is.

Again, truly, no offense meant. But if God is another name for the Creator of everything, the Author of life, the Alpha and the Omega, unchanging and eternal and omniscient and perfect, how could we be able to make Him whatever we want Him to be?

Orthodox?

Anonymous wrote:If you go Lutheran, try for a church in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America -- they are more progressive than the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (they fill the role of Southern Baptists in the upper Midwest) and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (they're pretty right-wing).

Agree with this poster. ELCA Lutherans are a pretty laid back and progressive. Our congregation is very diverse - we've got ex-Catholics, former Quakers, you name it. Missouri Synod Lutherans are considerably more conservative and Wisconsin Synod Lutherans are practically medieval (Michelle Bachmann is Wisconisn Synod, for example).

If you go Lutheran, try for a church in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America -- they are more progressive than the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (they fill the role of Southern Baptists in the upper Midwest) and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (they're pretty right-wing).

I haven't read all the posts, but as a recovering catholic, I found the Episcopal Church very inviting. I go a small one, with a mix of generations. There are several families with young children.

That said, I picked the Episcopal church because I LOVE the liturgy. I find comfort in it. However, I know many people that do not like the liturgy, and think its cold and repetitive and not open for changes. It sounds like you may be in this group.

The Lutheran Church is also very much like the Catholic church, and is liturgical. If you didn't like the Episcopal service, chances are you won't like Lutheran.

United Methodist and Presbyterian are not as liturgical, and each service is different. I went to Methodist churches for a while, and most have a traditional (more liturgical) service and a contemporary service. Check them out.

My sister, who can't stand liturgy, likes Calvary. I don't know much about them.

Steer clear of the more evangelical churches... mostly homophobes.

I highly recommend taking the Alpha course. Here's info on it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_course
It started in the Episcopal church (btw, Evangelical Anglican IS NOT evangelical AT ALL), and looks at the tenants of Christian faith. I taught it when we lived out west, with several denominations participating in teaching it. A lot of it is self discovery. The chapter I was in was completely not judgemental on how you chose to express your faith.

DH grew up Lutheran and I grew up RC; we split the difference and went with an Episcopal church (I never got into transsubstantiation, so didn't mind not having that). Yes, at first it seemed a little more formal, but I think it's mostly just in terms of how dressed up people get. Once we got used to that and got involved in various activities (e.g., teaching Sunday school), the church became a big part of our family life and our kids have grown up there. Our parish, St. Columba's in DC, includes many other parishioners (and clergy) who grew up in other faiths. It's a very family-friendly place with services specifically geared to families with very young kids.

How about Lutheran?

It's pretty much Catholic-light. It's very similar, but the differences are what divided the Catholics centuries ago.

Episcopal churches vary quite a bit. Shop around.

Episcopalian here. I personally like the more formal churches, but there are plenty that aren't. You might start with churches in the suburbs vs. the city. (my very formal Episcopalian church is in Georgetown.) I am not a terribly churchy person, but I feel like the Episcopal church gets it right with their liturgy and the belief that men and women are equal and gays are an accepted, valuable part of the church. And yeah, the liturgy is very similar to Catholic- whenever I've been to Catholic mass for weddings, etc. it feels really familiar.

Did you consider investigating religions outside of Christianity? I grew up a Unitarian, considered converting to Catholicism, and eventually found the Baha'i Faith (www.bahai.org).

Try St. Columba's Episcopal in Tenleytown, DC

OP here...thanks for all the thoughtful and thought-provoking responses. I am curious...what is the name of the Lutheran congregation in Silver Spring? Yep, I guess I like those smells and bells!

Episcopalians. We're EXACTLY like Catholics, just without a Pope. The Mass is the SAME.

Uh, not exactly. There's that transubstantiation thing that Episcopalians consider optional rather than gospel. Still, it IS an option.

I suggest you visit Grace Episcopal in Silver Spring. Grace is the place, baby! Nothing stuffy at Grace.

UU's are like quakers , actually, I know ^^--I just think it would be so stripped down and bare for an ex-Catholic. There is no pageantry whatsover --it is grim.