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So that there will be no mistake, I am appalled by the consecration of Bishop Robinson and I think that it is an abomination.

I am an Episcopalian and in some sense, you are close to the mark, but not dead on it. In general, I believe in Original Sin; that is, mankind is born into sin and cannot escape sin. Where I differ from the Roman Catholics and the Jews, I don't feel guilt for that original sin since I was born into it. In fact, in some ways the fall may have been a fall up. The ability to sin (and if we can sin, we will sin) is what distinguishes us from the animals. What I do feel is a profound gratitude for Christ and His sacrifice for me. I do not believe that the Cross is a license to do what I want, but Christ's death is absolution for sins that I commit despite my best efforts to do otherwise.

Your characterization of Episcopalians as a club for sinners is true for all mankind. We are sinners. Your addendum "who like sin and want to stick with it" reminds me of St. Augustine who prayed something to the effect of "Lord, grant me chastity and continence, but not just yet."

I suspect that we agree on a lot. Bishop Robinson married a woman, had kids with her, left his wife and kids, and took up with a man. All of this is contrary to scripture and all of it was done, not only without apparent shame, but seems to have been done with great relish. No, Bishop Robinson should not be a bishop, but your take on Episcopalians, while somewhat close, misses the mark in very important ways. Most Episcopalians are pretty conservative. The U.S. Episcopal Church is rightfully on the verge of being tossed from the Anglican Communion because of the consecration of Bishop Robinson. This apparent plot to toss the conservative majority of the Episcopal Church is a sorry plot and I am quite thankful to be forewarned of it.

I don't know what region of the country your diocese is, but calling my diocese "largely conservative" would be a laugh.

The national assembly's confirmation of the vote in NH to make Robinson a Bishop some two years ago is a symptom of a larger problem in the ECUSA. There is a general substitution of englightement setimentality for true Christian Sentiment. Sure the litergy is kept in its formal form, but the underlying current is all universality.

The largest church (suburban Kansas City in Overland Park/ Prairie Village) in the Kansas Diocese of ECUSA just split last year. They took out a new mortgage to buy their own church. However, it is the only one in all of the Kansas City area.

In the western Missouri diocese, the southern churches from the more conservative parts of the state are the most liberal. This is because the ECUSA is the haven they can exercise power within as the Lutherens and Baptists are far more conservative.