I hate to admit it, but the words in the subject line have come
out of my mouth.

Here's what I was thinking:
Who cares about the differences among denominations (yes,
to me, at that time, Orthodoxy was to me a denomination)?
I don't understand them all, so it is easier to say that all
I am a Christian. I know I love Christ, not so sure about which
denomination I should belong to.
Then, there is the subtext of being in a group goes against
the treasured American notion of individuality. Being identified
with a group puts you in a box. As an individual, you only have
to defend yourself. But as a group, you have to defend the members
of a group--even if they're jerks! So, to say I am a Christian
conveniently does not put one in any real group.
I also want to roll out the welcome wagon to Cleopas.
I post on a fundamentalist board as one of a handful
of pro-Orthodox posters. So, I can relate, brother!