EVERY WEEK WE PUBLISH a selection of letters we receive in response to something you've read at Anglicans Online. Stop by and have a look at what other AO readers are thinking.

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Letters from 1 May to 8 May 2005

Like all letters to the editor everywhere, these letters are the opinions of the writers and not Anglicans Online. We publish letters that we think will be of interest to our readers, whether we agree with them or not. If you'd like to write a letter of your own, click here.

Other bicameral provinces?

Do any other Anglican churches have a House of Commons and a House of Bishops like the Episcopal Church in the United States does?

Susan Southwick
Church of the Holy Cross Episcopal Church
Birmingham, Al 35210.
Ssouthw2@stv.org
2 May 2005

(Ed: we don't think so, but perhaps one of our readers will know for certain.)

Literacy is often useful

I have serious reservations about the prominent display of a Ouija board on your home page. Why did you feel this was appropriate? The Ouija board has never had any role in Christianity whatsoever; to the contrary, it is used in seances and other forms of spiritualism which are distinctly non-Christian, and, arguably, anti-Christian. To display it so prominently gives credence to the impression held by many that we Anglicans are out of touch and not serious Chistians. In my opinion you have done a grave disservice to our apponited task of spreading the Good News.

Matthew Rhead
St. Charles' Church
St. Charles, Illinois, USA
6 May 2005

I am utterly amazed and horrified that, on a web site that usually demonstrates such good sense and baanced judgement, you chose to commend the use of a Ouija Board in your editorial this week. Many people have been spiritualy damaged by this sort of dabbling with occult matters. It is not some sort of harmless fun, but a very dangerous occult practice.

Revd Paul Richardson
All Saints Church of England
Westbury, UK
8 May 2005

(Ed: Perhaps we'll try to avoid showing or using candles from now on, since they are used by Satanists. Or perhaps you didn't actually read what we wrote.)

Where can one volunteer?

I was wondering if the Episcopal/Anglican churches publish a directory of volunteer opportunities. For example, the roman catholic church publishes a guide to religious ministries which lists volunteer opportunities but i don't know if the anglican church does

Morris Wills
St. Clare's Episcopal Mission
Brownsville, California, USA
aplglen@sonnet.com
8 May 2005

(Ed: perhaps one of our readers knows the answer to this question.)

Simple question, complex answer

I am writing only to ask a simple question. In liturgy and practice, what are the differences between the American Episcopal Church and the Church of England Anglican Church? Thank you.

Phillip Yardley
Grace Episcopal Church (Diocese of Western North Carolina)
Morganton, North Carolina, USA
canterburycross@aol.com
8 May 2005

(Ed: A simple question with a very complex answer. Both churches that you mention are autonomous provinces in communion with the See of Canterbury. Our resource page that talks about this is rather detailed. Here's a very simple summary on the anglican.org website.)

Earlier letters

We launched our 'Letters to AO' section on 11 May 2003. All of our letters are in our archives.