Religion really has a critical place in the discussion of US and international politics. I look forward to having a safe place to discuss it, where we specifically avoid the circular firing squads discussions and focus on coalition building and increased understanding.

While I eschew labels, I have found some resonance with the term apatheist. I don't know if there is a god or not, nor do I really care. It would do little to change my life. I am also a religionist in the same way a man can be a feminist and I support non-believers, particularly in their goals of decreasing prejudice/marginalization and 1st amendment issues.

Glad to see you here, my friend, and hope you will come around often.

I'm interested. There's an Episcopal church in my neighborhood. They are a "Welcoming" church for GLBTers, as are the others in my county as far as I know. A few gay friends attend this one - some regularly, some intermittently. So, while it's not my sole criteria it's a big plus. I'm checking it out.

Since my wife was coming from pretty rigid (catholic) and me from quite flexible/liberal (UCC - which in New England is very informal), we thought Episcopal was a good blend of ritual (the prayer book, but no pope, celibacy, and far more diverse and accepting - more liberal) and great music. Music is really important to us - Vaughan Williams wrote the Episcopal hymnal! - so it kind of fit in all sorts of ways.

The only reason we are not practicing Episcopal here in Raleigh is that it seems to have a far more bible belt, evangelical feel to it down here in the south, relative to the north - and we are not comfortable with that.

Hope that helps!

I was raised Episcopalian, so when I decided to go back to church after 40 years away, that's where I went.

Not only is the church doing good things for LGBT rights, but it's also standing up to the international church and even some less...ahem...enlightened dioceses in the US. It makes me very proud. It would be easy to cave in in the name of getting along.

Plus, there's a woman in charge.

The ritual and liturgy are beautiful, as is the music. My hour+ on Sunday morning is my time of beauty and contemplation. I've even written words for a hymn, which my church performed a few weeks back. Definitely a high point of my life.

If you pressed me about my beliefs, I'd probably confess to being an agnostic, but because I'm Episcopalian, I call myself a Christian. (BTW, non-believers are welcome in my church as long as they respect the faith of the people around them.)

Here in the Washington diocese the atmosphere is very open and liberal. Many Episcopalians are also involved in other spiritual pursuits aside from classic Christian practice.

Same-sex marriage ceremonies are performed here, including at National Cathedral. Our former assistant rector was married there to her partner. There are many female clergy, and many gay clergy. Open and welcoming.

Though there are conservative pockets in our diocese, and a few conservative dioceses themselves, most who are trying to take themselves out of the church.

Shortly before my father "swam the Tiber" and became a Roman Catholic, which was shortly before we emigrated from England. Lately, I have seriously considered re-joining the Episcopalians, because I am less and less enchanted with the RC. And the Episcopal church is just down the street, an easy walk.

I have many friends who have found a home in the Episcopal church. I was raised mainline protestant and always saw them as way too formal, but it may be less so than the RCC.