Thoughts On The CofE....
Nov. 23rd, 2010 11:23 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
philosoraptor42Well, Mr. Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, wishes to let us know that he thinks the Church is on its last legs. And yet we've still got Bishops with guaranteed seats in the House of Lords. This is no good!
Anyway, the big issue is this stupid Covenant thing he wants to introduce. The issue is that it will force all the Churches to agree before they can accept any new stuff. Basically it means that the ultra-conservative and bigoted elements within African Churches will guarantee that there is no progression in the Church again. So yeah, nothankyouverymuch. (Yet strangely, opponents of the covenant have been compared to the BNP. Oh dear me.)
Mr. Williams has this to say:
Well, as much as I hate to say it, that probably means this is the end. All your nice Church buildings will simply be tourist attractions from now on... (Well, I say "I hate to say it", but presumably this means the end of those guaranteed House of Lords seats, doesn't it?)
Meanwhile, the Queen has a speech:
I did worry when I heard quotes from the Queen about the importance of "communicating the gospel with joy and conviction". It sounded a bit too much like "let's not stop people going out and proselytising and generally pissing people off". Thankfully the whole quote, while vague, seems more about making sure you do the right thing rather than just taking the easy option. (And this Covenant malarky sounds a bit too easy to me.)
Anyway, the big issue is this stupid Covenant thing he wants to introduce. The issue is that it will force all the Churches to agree before they can accept any new stuff. Basically it means that the ultra-conservative and bigoted elements within African Churches will guarantee that there is no progression in the Church again. So yeah, nothankyouverymuch. (Yet strangely, opponents of the covenant have been compared to the BNP. Oh dear me.)
Mr. Williams has this to say:
"There is no Plan B. If this falls, the communion is in ruins."
Well, as much as I hate to say it, that probably means this is the end. All your nice Church buildings will simply be tourist attractions from now on... (Well, I say "I hate to say it", but presumably this means the end of those guaranteed House of Lords seats, doesn't it?)
Meanwhile, the Queen has a speech:
In our more diverse and secular society, the place of religion has come to be a matter of lively discussion. It is rightly acknowledged that people of faith have no monopoly of virtue and that the wellbeing and prosperity of the nation depend on the contribution of individuals and groups of all faiths and of none.Oh yeah! Go Queen!
Yet, as the recent visit of His Holiness The Pope reminded us, churches and the other great faith traditions retain the potential to inspire great enthusiasm, loyalty and a concern for the common good.Oh... hang on! No, really not sure about that one...
I did worry when I heard quotes from the Queen about the importance of "communicating the gospel with joy and conviction". It sounded a bit too much like "let's not stop people going out and proselytising and generally pissing people off". Thankfully the whole quote, while vague, seems more about making sure you do the right thing rather than just taking the easy option. (And this Covenant malarky sounds a bit too easy to me.)
Christian history suggests that times of growth and spiritual vigour have often coincided with periods of challenge and testing. What matters is holding firmly to the need to communicate the gospel with joy and conviction in our society. For at the heart of our faith stand not a preoccupation with our own welfare and comfort but the concepts of service and of sacrifice as shown in the life and teachings of the one who made himself nothing, taking the very form of a servant.Also: Picture above taken from the following site. It also provides a video from the fantastic Eddie Izzard (who annoyingly seems to have given up being a stand-up comic these days) of a particular sketch which seems to have become very popular amongst Anglican types.
