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Life in the USA Religion in America The Protestants
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The Episcopalians
Episcopalians are the richest and most powerful of all protestant groups. The Episcopal church descends from the original Church of England. It is both Catholic and Protestant, Catholic in that it retains much of Roman Catholic ritual, sacraments, creeds and orders of the church, Protestant (or reformed) in that it rejects the authority of the Pope, conducts services in English and re-emphasizes the authority of the Bible. The Book of Common Prayer, first promulgated in 1549, forms the basis for Episcopal services. Like Roman Catholics, Episcopalians have priests, though marriage of the clergy is allowed. Monks and nuns, who are strictly contemplative and may not marry, also exist. In general, the Episcopal church is tolerant of “vices” such as drinking and gambling. Eleven American Presidents, Washington, Madison, Monroe, William Henry Harrison, Tyler, Taylor, Pierce, Arthur, Franklin Roosevelt, Ford and George Herbert Walker Bush, were or are Episcopalians. Confederate President Jefferson Davis was also an Episcopalian.
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