I have been an Episcopalian most of my life, but as a child, I was a Southern Baptist. Before I became an Episcopalian, I participated in an Episcopalian Inquirer’s Class, but that was many years ago. This past week, I have joined another Episcopalian  Inquirer’s Class. It has been about 40 years since I became an Episcopalian. I figured that a refresher course was in order.

By sheer coincidence, my stars aligned to begin that course at about the time that Bishop Mariann Budde found the courage to confront Trump’s inhumane behavior in a Prayer Service at the National Cathedral.

I had already decided to recommit my life to service under the net of Episcopalianism when Budde spoke from within her position as an Episcopal Bishop, and as I have begun to re-examine the tenets of the Episcopal Beliefs, I readily understand why Bishop Budde felt compelled to speak her truth, which is also the truth of Episcopalians. I thought that others might like to know what Episcopalians believe.

What Do Episcopalians Believe?

“As Episcopalians, we believe in and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection saved the world.

“We believe that God loves you – no exceptions.

God Loves Everyone — No Exceptions

“The Episcopal Church embraces a legacy of inclusion, aspiring to tell and exemplify God’s love for every human being; people of all genders and sexual orientations serve as bishops, priests, and deacons in our church. Laypeople and clergy work together in leadership and governance.” episcopalchurch.org

Years ago, when I became an Episcopalian, I had no idea that the United States of America would regress socially to the point that the word “inclusion” would largely become one that has little meaning for most people. I regret to admit that the meaning of the word “Christian” has devolved in the same way,

It is no secret that Donald Trump rejects the idea of inclusion, and when he was elected to a second term as president, I realized that almost half of this nation’s people are fine with his platform of bigotry and hatred.

Trust me. I am not a bigot, and I am also not homosexual.  But I do not believe that I have the duty–or even the right–to correct the beliefs of other people. I certainly do not believe that people who do not share my beliefs should be shunned. I was proud when Bishop Mariann Budde publicly confronted Trump’s plan to target people who are trying to survive in this country but who fail to meet Trump’s standards of acceptability.

God Loves Everyone — No Exceptions

On January 21, 2025, at the National Cathedral, Bishop Budde broke with tradition, as she demonstrated her bravery and stood against Trump’s inhumane behavior.

No doubt, Budde was thinking about Trump’s first term in office, when he separated children from their parents. People–including children–were put in literal cages.  Infants were ripped from the arms of their mothers. Many of those families were never reunited. Trump has made it clear that his behavior against immigrants to this country will be harsher during his second term as president.

With Trump in the audience, Budde implored the president to “have mercy … on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away.” Budde

I heartily commend Budde who fearlessly complied with the belief that “The Episcopal Church embraces a legacy of inclusion, aspiring to tell and exemplify God’s love for every human being….” episcopalchurch.org

Weeks before Bishop Budde confronted Trump, I had decided to commit myself to another study of What Episcopalians Believe. But my commitment to do so is even greater now that I see that Episcopalian Leaders say what they mean–and they follow through and do what they say.

I live in Mississippi–in a state filled with many “Christians” who don’t even pretend to practice what they preach.

Many years ago, in a little country Baptist Church, I was taught the song, “Jesus Loves [ALL] the Children of the World–and that song was etched on my soul.  Sunday, I told another church friend who was also a Baptist as a child: “It appears that most of today’s supposedly “Christians” forgot the song that says, ‘Red and Yellow, Black and White–They Are Precious in His Sight….”

That song is not simply a little nursery song–like “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”–That song is a simplification of the teachings of Jesus Christ. When a scribe asked Jesus about God’s Commandments, Jesus answered that the first commandment is to love God with his entire being, and the second commandment is: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12: 28-31.|

Jesus clearly believed in inclusion: “Love Your Neighbor as Yourself.”

What Happened to Caring about What Jesus Said and Did?

It seems that today’s supposedly “Christian” churches are filled with people who no longer believe that inclusion is necessary and who no longer care what Jesus said and did. It seems that now there’s a new god in town. Beware

You Will Know Them by Their Fruits

¹⁵ “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.  Matthew 7:15

Bishop Budde has been criticized by some people in this country. Donald Trump Demanded an Apology from her because she expressed her beliefs, which are the beliefs of the Episcopal Church.

Allow me to remind everyone that this country was founded by people who believed in a separation of church and state. This country’s founders fled from countries where Kings could exact religious conformity. I remind everyone that Donald Trump is not King. He has no power over Bishop Budde or The Episcopal Church,

My own family immigrated to the USA–and they did so to flee religious persecution:

My Family Was Part of the Movement to America to Flee Religious Persecution

Freedom from Religious Persecution came at heavy personal expense for people in my own family. I suspect the same is true for many people who live in the USA.

1. Most of the people in the USA are immigrants
2. Most of the people in the USA are descendants of people who fought for religious freedom
3. We need to wake up before we toss that freedom away