Ed said "What will the impact of a closer association with others be...like the Anglicans, Orthodox cathlic churches and possibly the Lutherans... with different interpretations of the church, faith and issues?"

My opinion, for what it is worth, is that for the Christian faith to survive it will need more unification rather than splitting up. They need to combine and literally be "singing off the same hymn sheet" if they are to volve into one body. Christ never spoke of there being many churches: just the one. It is what happened after he died, and was ressurected, that seems to mean more now to those in power. More weight seems to be given to the rest of the new testament over the four Gospels. For me, if I were a Christian, what would be most important, is for me to follow Jesus, not those that came after him. Jesus gave all the rules that needed to be followed. It seems other men - mortals - have added their own bits and bobs over time.

I could be very wrong. That is why I am not part of any particular religious group. My agnosticism leans toward Christ's words when I look for something spiritual. I have always had a hard time going along with most the rest of it.

I am not an expert. My comments above, and below, are based soley on my own observations and experiences as I have wended my way through the years. The only thing I am certain about is my uncertainty.

Nevertheless. I do know there are good men and women out their who try and adhere to Christs teaching, whilst still part of a larger Christian church, and that I have been priveliged to meet many good Roman Catholics of all flavours who have lived by Christ's words rather than the Popes.

mp