So … why Episcopalian?

It seems, of late, that most of what I post about the Episcopal Church around here is rants and screeds and snarks at various infighting and political brouhaha that is either frightfully boring or offputting to people.  Why, one might well ask, am I Episcopalian?  What does it offer me, other than a big blog topic for kvetching? 

1. Okay, so I’m a theist. 
2. I was raised Christian (though, to be sure, some folks don’t think Catholics are Christians), which makes expressing my theism through a Christian setting natural.  While there are elements of my personal theology that would be considered heretical unorthodox by some, even many, my beliefs fit in well enough with the Christian faith that I don’t feel either that I’m compromising or lying by calling myself a Christian.
3. I like church-going.  Or, further, I recognize that I need it.  Yes, I can be a believer in what I believe without a regular Sunday injection — but, by the same token, I also know that “out of sight, out of mind,” and getting a weekly (at least) reminder / reinforcement / recollection of what I believe, of what it means, of what I think I should be doing is of great value to me.  That might not be what everyone needs, but it’s something that works for me.
4. I like liturgy.  I like ritual, and the language, and the ceremony, and even a bit of pomp and circumstance.  I find it comforting, familiar, meditative, and meaningful.  I realize that’s not everyone’s cuppa, by a long shot, but it does it for me.
5. I like that the Episcopal Church is not a pat “Here’s the magic answer, as drawn by our literalist interpretation of the Bible” kind of organization.  Yes, that makes for a wider variety of beliefs (vive la difference), and thus debate, but it also means that members are challenged to actually figure out answers for themselves, drawing on the Hooker paradigm of the three-legged stool — Scripture, Tradition, and Reason (with Experience).
6. I like that the Episcopal Church, as a whole, has, within its traditionalism in form,  tended toward a progressive, inclusive stance in substance.  From accepting women as priests (and bishops, and, by God, our Presiding Bishop) to increasing acceptance of gays as members of the congregation and the clergy.  There are those in the Church who have yet to accept the ordination of women; I don’t agree with that, but I am willing to live with it, accepting (while disagreeing) that their sentiment is sincere.  It’s a pity that those folks seem progressively unwilling to tolerate those who disagree with them.
7. I like that, while the Episcopal Church has a structure, it’s not really an authoritarian organization.  As noted, there’s room for dissenting views, less-than-orthodox beliefs, and discussion and discernment amongst one’s fellows.  For most Episcopal congregations, whether one “believes the right things enough” seems to be more a judgment made by the congregant than by the Inquisitorial Board of the Church.  Some folks consider that a weakness of the church — I consider it a strength.
8. I like the fellowship of the people in my congregation.  I like the social interaction.  I like the friendship.  I like the fact that, even though I might disagree with an opinion someone expresses (or vice-versa), we can break bread together.

And that’s why I’m an Episcopalian.