Are Anglicans just atheists in denial?

Question

because they needed to see themselves as moraly superior to heathens? so many english don't go to church or believe in god, but still claim that they are proud to be of the anglican church, that the church they devoutly DON'T go to is the anglican church, ad it's the best?

seriously it's the least religious religion on the planet

Answer 1

lol-well their at most just one god away-----smile and enjoy the day

Answer 2

In Great Britain, the Anglican church is the state church, and therefore is funded through the tax system. Elsewhere, the Anglican church (or in the US, the Episcopal Church) is like any other church and dependent on contributions.

The worldwide Anglican communion is facing schism at this moment over the issue of whether homosexuality is an acceptable form of human sexuality. It appears that many Anglicans, chiefly those found in third world countries, are at least as fundamentalist regarding this issue as the Southern Baptists. The American church has already lost several congregations that have now affiliated themselves with diocese in Africa.

I cite this controversy chiefly to highlight that these religious people are having great struggles over matters of faith, not over whether Henry VIII should have been granted a divorce or over church attendance.

If you look into it, you'll find that there are a number of people who attend spiritual workshops, universities, and bible studies based on their Anglican form of Christianity.

Although I'm not a Christian, I don't believe it's reasonable to characterize an entire denomination as separate from the rest of Christendom because of church non-attendance. Such non-attendance is rampant throughout the ranks of people who consider themselves Christian.

^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^

Answer 3

I'm Anglican. Many of my beliefs are not orthodox but my practice is. What I love about the Anglican Communion is its openness to the individual's experience of the divine and of life and does not normally see doctrine as being threatened by that. Thus secular English can be proud to have what is basically the only Christian church in which the individual is paramount but not isolated or disenfranchised (with an 's' just for you!).

I also love that Anglican clergy can get away with mystical sayings. Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefforts Schori of the Episcopal Church USA said that all language is metaphorical - which is absolutely 100% true but in all other churches would likely cause as schism. Compare that to, say, Catholicism where mystics are nice and you can be one and receive sainthood for it as long as you stay away from the teaching office, where you become a serious threat and are likely to get excommunicated.

Being proud of an institution and its integrity doesn't mean you have to agree or participate in it. I'm proud of the Grand Old Opry here in Nashville and I absolute can't stand country music....

Answer 4

Many "Christians" from a variety of denominations are atheist/agnostics in denial. It's quite clear if you make them explain their "beliefs".

They will claim to be Christians, and say that they are "saved", and believe Jesus died for their sins.

But then, if they will allow you to dig deeper (and most of them won't) they will be forced to admit that they don't believe the majority of the bible is true. Their first admission will be that "it's all allegory" or "it's not meant to be taken literally".

As the conversation progresses, they will eventually realize that, by their own admission, they don't believe ANYTHING in the bible, when forced to critically think about it. In particular, when presented with the facts, they will see why they don't actually believe Jesus was a messiah. (Most of them have run away from the conversation long before this)

At that point, the truth comes out. They do not worship a god, or a messiah, and most have little to no knowledge of the religion they claim to practice. All they have is one thing:

They have a membership card to the social club that is the Christian church.

That is all it is to a great deal of "Christians" in the US. They fall asleep in church, if they go at all. They have no desire to learn anything about god or Christianity. They simply view it as a "duty", because they were forced to do it since childhood, and it's become the norm. (Amazing what you can get used to)

But regardless, if you try to coverse with these "Christians" on their faith, 99% of the time they will run away with their fingers in their ears before they admit all the things I mentioned above. They like their social club. They don't want to think about it. They just want to belong.

Personally, I don't mind that. I just wish there was a social club we could all belong to that wasn't based on mythology and lies.

Think about that. How great would that be? :)

Answer 5

Many churches operate on the basis of "scripture and tradition." The Anglican church operates on the basis of "scripture, tradition and reason." It is the addition of that dangerous element "reason" that makes it appear to you as if Anglicans are "atheists in denial."

Answer 6

http://anglicansonline.org/basics/what_believe.html

They are FAR from Atheists.
as for Unitarians
First. We believe and insist, that each and every rational and moral being, male and female, is under the highest obligation to form his or her own opinions about religion. Every one, we hold, is bound and therefore should be left perfectly free to seek after, if haply he may find, the truth of God for himself; form his own creed, his own body of divinity; be fully persuaded in his own mind as to what is true on every question that may arise respecting the character of God, the principles of the divine government, man's accountability, the design of his life in this world, and his destiny in the world to come. There is no other subject of thought comparable to this in importance; therefore everyone should be encouraged and urged to give all the attention to it he may be able to give. By the study of the Bible, and the works and the providence of God, each one should strive to learn all he may of the mind, the purposes, the will of the heavenly Father, that he may become an intelligent and obedient child.

That isn't Atheistic either.

Answer 7

The Anglican church is remarkably similar to the Catholic Church; it was formed by King Henry VIII so he could divorce and remarry.

Answer 8

Actually, the Unitarians get that title. There are affirmed atheists in their congregations. I think it's more about tradition and pride of nationality. I had an English professor once who wondered sometimes if he went to church because he believed or if he was honoring a literary lineage where the great English writers attended.

Answer 9

The Anglicans were founded over a political issue with Henry VIII. He wanted a divorce but couldn't get it.

He changed nothing else, but his heirs did.

Answer 10

atheism

Main Entry: athe·ism
Pronunciation: \ˈā-thē-ˌi-zəm\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French athéisme, from athée atheist, from Greek atheos godless, from a- + theos god
Date: 1546
1archaic : ungodliness, wickedness
2 a: a disbelief in the existence of deity b: the doctrine that there is no deity

Answer 11

I believe everyone who believes in God who be considered an Atheist in Denial...