Protestant Christianity was formed during the 16th century when theologians condemned the corruption of the Roman Catholic Church leadership. Martin Luther, Huldrych Zwingli, and John Calvin were among the reformers leading the Protestant Reformation.
These men, who were all religious leaders of their time, believed in the basic tenets that separate Protestantism from Roman Catholicism: salvation through faith alone, the priesthood of all believers, and that the Bible is the sole authority of the faith.
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Protestant groups began differentiating themselves through the emphasis of certain practices and beliefs they felt strongly about. Anglicans, Episcopalian, and Protestant religious followers all share similar beliefs but they are not completely the same religion.
There are minor differences between Anglican and Episcopalians (Anglicans are also called Episcopalians in the United States and other countries and grew from the independent Church of England, also called the Anglican Church centuries ago) compared to other Protestant Christian faiths.
Here are three beliefs that set Anglicans and Episcopalians apart from other protestant Christians:
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1. Various Christian denominations, as well as other religions have been wrestling with the issue of same-sex marriage and the role of gays and lesbians in their church or religion for the past several years. Most evangelical Protestant denominations are against allowing same-sex marriages, while Episcopalians and Anglicans are starting to allow same-sex marriages. The Episcopal Church has been moving toward recognition of same-sex marriage for some time.
According to the Pew Research Center, in 2006 the church stated its "support of gay and lesbian persons and [opposition to] any state or federal constitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex marriages or civil unions."
2. While Anglicans and Episcopalians follow a few different versions of the Book of Common Prayer — books compiled from liturgy developed in the 16th century by Thomas Cranmer — Protestants believe the Bible teaches us everything we need to know for our salvation from sin.
3. Most Episcopalians and Anglicans ordain women to the Diaconate, Episcopate, and Priesthood. Not all Protestant denominations allow women. There are other social differences along these lines, as well: Anglicans allow their clergy to marry, celibacy is not mandated for the clergy, some Episcopalian Dioceses ordain gays, and Anglicans allow for family planning and the use of contraceptives which are not allowed in the Catholic Church.
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