I remember a full page advert in the NYT back a couple a decades ago, paid for by the Episcopal church, that took on the religious right head on. It basically said, Jesus died for your sins; it is a done deal.

I no longer remember the ad beyond that, but it was obviously aimed towards the religious right who were invoking fire, brimstone, and eternal damnation politically to anybody who disagreed with them. Amazingly, I was living in Wichita, KS and was a Democratic district delegate at a time when Dems had the state house and had the governorship for quite a few terms.

One of my very close friends was an Episcopal and he showed me the ad. At the time, and from the perspective of Kansas, it was an astounding thing. Up to that time, decades ago, I had not much of an idea about the Episcopals.

However, in the 1970's, when I visited NYC many times, one of my favorite attractions, other than the Village Vanguard on Monday nights, was St. John the Divine on Sunday afternoons, when the organist would practice in an empty cathedral, probably the largest in the Western Hemisphere. All I can say is:

1. He loved Bach and the French romantics.

2. He kicked the fucking dust out of the organ pipes with the French romantics.

At that time, St. John's was not finished. The current dean of the cathedral could not spend money on completing the cathedral when directly across Morningside Park lay Harlem, where there was so much poverty.

Interestingly, a later dean of St. John's enlisted Harlem residents to learn the stone work to complete the cathedral. I have not been to NYC to revisit St. John's since then. I would love to see it again and hear the glorious music from that magnificent organ again.

Justin, your passion here reminds me of these experiences. And although as a non-believer, I cannot share your religious experiences, I can share what it is to have them. I have them when I look through my telescope on a clear night equally as when I sit in a pew at St. John's on Sunday afternoon and hear Bach sacred works.

My best to you my good friend.



on edit: as a New Yorker Episcopal, certainly you've been to St. John's. One hopes.

Saw on the MSN feed. I don't recommend the comments unless you like to point and laugh at the ignorance.

So much to be grateful for these days.