The more “mainline” the Protestant denomination (United Methodist, United Presbyterian, ELCA Lutheran, Episcopal), the more likely the creature officiating the congregation is a fraud. My observation of the united Methodists is that somewhere between 25-50% of the clergy could not articulate their own faith being in accord with scriptures. A long time friend who is an Episcopal priest told me fewer than 5% of his fellow Episcopal priests are Christians.
For years before she was old enough to drive my daughter was the organist for an Episcopal parish. I came to the conclusion that the clergy of that denomination is simply the liturgical wing of the CPUSA.
crusher said:
“The more “mainline” the Protestant denomination (United Methodist, United Presbyterian, ELCA Lutheran, Episcopal), the more likely the creature officiating the congregation is a fraud.”
Sadly, you are right. Even sadder is that there are plenty more frauds among the rest of the denominations. And there have been such for a very long time. “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame - who set their mind on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven ...” (Philippians 3:18-20)
Also, don’t make the mistake of thinking that belly-serving preachers have to make a lot of money to be such. Some are quite willing to do so on the cheap. Sad.