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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Anonymous wrote:

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

+2

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.

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.