I'm surprised you have that impression of the Church of England, Eliza. Maybe that's a correct perception of some congregations and maybe even some branches of the Church of England, but "correctness of doctrine" doesn't seem so important in the US branch of the Church of England, the Episcopalians. Here, there's more emphasis on inclusiveness, on bringing together different perspectives, and celebrating diversity - being able to worship together while holding perspectives that aren't exactly the same. Most of the "mainline" churches in the US seem to be working toward that sort of unity in diversity. Even we Catholics do it to an extent. That's an ideal that can be difficult to achieve, especially in a society that puts so much emphasis on ideological correctness.

Today's reading in the Common Lectionary is the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Luke 10:25-37. Note that the Samaritan did not have the "correct" ideology, but he is the one who was held up as an example for all humankind. What he did brought healing, despite the men of proper ideology who passed the victim by. And I think that the healing actions of good people, bring atonement for the misdeeds of humankind. I think that's far more important than paying God back for misdeeds. We "atone" when we do good, whatever that good is - and that "sanctifies" this world and makes it the better place it was meant to be. If you read the four gospels and look closely at what Jesus expected from people, it wasn't correct ideology - it was compassion. I believe that compassion is the answer for what ails this world.

-Joe-