I’m often the first to defend Episcopalians when people joke about what they see as excessive people-pleasing and inclusivity. Though I’m an atheist, I consider myself a “cultural Episcopalian” due to my upbringing. I find their consistent adaptation of doctrine and policies that open the church up rather than close it off not as people-pleasing but as measures to be more loving and Christ-like. But even I have to shake my head sometimes when the church does something so clearly aimed at getting people to like them. Such is the case of the seashell adorning The Episcopal Cathedral Church of St Paul in Boston.
From the article:[blockquote]If you’re afraid of being Christians in a church, then God help you carry the message of Jesus’ life and ministry into the world if you’re that embarrassed to be his followers at a house of worship.[/blockquote]Which brought this to mind:[blockquote][Jesus said] “For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” — Luke 9:26 ESV[/blockquote]
#1–I used to be afraid of being a Christian in church; which is why I left TEC and became an Anglican in PEARUSA!
That’s it! If they put Botticelli’s Venus on that half-shell, I’m outta here! 🙂 I guess they might as well go all the way and take that last step and actually worship Venus. (Actually been outta here for a while, hats off to those still keeping up the good fight.)
#3–Old joke: Two TEC priests are standing in the back of the church when the Presiding Bishop walks in and performs a human scarifice on the high altar. One priest turns to the other and says “One more thing and I’m outta here.”
Has anyone ever asked the “Presiding Bishop” why she continues to use a device of horrible torture and death as the symbol of her religion?
The nautilus is a cephalopod, is it not?