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I wasn't "laughing" at the incense or other liturgical "trappings". I was amused at how much true Christians are like multicolored wires in a complex cable. When one strips away the externals that appear to differentiate us -- like the colored insulation distinguishes and isolates one wire from another -- what is left is the solid metal core where the Power flows. And those cores are very much alike -- just as true believers are all alike when standing at the foot of the Cross.

I have had few religous experiences that exceed those I have had in fellowhip with fellow Christians who, organizationally or liturgically, differ from me.

I happen to feel led to worship and serve regularly with a large congregation of Baptists of a conservative (surprise!) bent. OTOH, for instance, I also look forward to joining my great aunt and her small Church of Christ congregation for their (quarterly, a capella, shaped-note, laypeople-led, all-evening) "singings".

And I treasure the fellowship of the many business trips I shared with a Catholic professional colleague -- at the time in our lives when we both were committing ourselves to lifetimes as Deacons (literally, "servants") and looking forward to ordination as such by our respective churches.

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Hosepipe, I understand that those of a superficial bent can fixate on the differences between "denominations" and can sometimes magnify those differences into near hatred. Perhaps they need a "wire-stripping" experience...

[ I understand that those of a superficial bent can fixate on the differences between "denominations" and can sometimes magnify those differences into near hatred. Perhaps they need a "wire-stripping" experience... ]

Wire stripping?.. Excellent metaphor.. i.e some are strippers some are not.. I've known "christians" that were Buddists.. because Buddism takes "being good" as a human to another plateau.. Some eventually found they were wearing a mask others did not..

I don't see "my job" to be as a wire stripper for others, but as a wire stripper for myself.. I don't see much difference between being a Baptist and Roman Catholic.. I've found that even so called non-denominational churchs are denominational but think they are devoid of denominational structure when they are Not..

Every christian is a denomination.. a denomination of Christ.. Their earthly organizations (that they belong to) mean little.. There is indeed only one church.. that is the Body of Christ.. Controlled Not by men.. or women.. God is not confused as men seem to be.. Stripping works for me.. Not to disallow anybody but to include everybody that is in the "family".. I loved you're metaphor.. it was inspired I think.. and I have stolen it! d;-)~',',