Time for a rant!

[caddyman]

The basic precept of Anglicanism, at least in the form it takes in the Church of England, is ‘let’s all sit down and have a cup of tea.’ Depending upon a vicar’s relative position concerning High Church and Low Church, the cup of tea may extend to a cream cake or a rich tea biscuit. Theology is pretty much subsidiary to the ‘let’s all be friends’ ethos. That’s why I like it and that’s why so many people in this country are CofE by culture if not by faith.

It’s comfy and warm, like an old pair of slippers and a baggy cardy: none of this Hellfire and Damnation stuff.

Every now and again, one of the dotty old bishops goes off on one. Memorably about 24 years ago, the then newly ordained Bishop of Durham, David Jenkins, suggested the Resurrection was "not just a conjuring trick with bones". Three days after his consecration as bishop on 6 July 1984, York Minster was struck by lightning, resulting in a disastrous fire, which some interpreted as a sign of divine displeasure at Jenkins’ appointment.

There have been other examples, but the complete nutters are generally weeded out and by-passed before they get to be Arch Bishops.

Not so the present Archbishop of Canterbury. It has taken the church in England more than 1400 years and 104 tries to find Dr Rowan Williams and make him senior clergyman and head of worldwide Anglicanism. This is the munter who has suggested and I quote: ”An approach to law which simply said - there's one law for everybody - I think that's a bit of a danger”. He goes on to suggest that the introduction of some aspects of Islamic Sharia into the UK are “unavoidable”.

The BBC carries the story here, probably quoting the chap wildly out of context, but I find it hard to think of a decent context to put it in. Anyone who finds it hard to reconcile their beliefs with UK law is not going to be satisfied with a halfway approach that incorporates some aspects of Sharia for some people.

By contrast, Daniel Finkelstein recently argued in the Times that as Britain welcomes minorities, they in turn should respect Britain’s Christian culture:

”Immigrants and their children in this country receive a fantastic deal. We are able to practise our religion in peace. We can openly enjoy our culture. Our colleagues tolerate our taking vacations on holy days and they even let their children be taught about some of our practices, which is most courteous, I must say.”

He goes on to say:

I'm not calling for a retreat from the tolerance and mutual respect of this country. That's the last thing I want. I depend on it, don't I?
It's just that I don't think tolerance and mutual respect come from nowhere. There's a reason why this country shows it, why we have fought for it, and died for it. I am just saying that if this country doesn't protect its own heritage and culture, how can I expect it to protect mine?”

Interesting stuff. I know whose views I prefer.

Comments

[mr-h-r-hughes.livejournal.com]

I read that too. Bollocks to the Christian culture stuff I don't buy that and never have, Britain has only ever had at best a thin veneer of Christianinty spread over a bedrock of couldn't care less/can I worship trees/I want to paint myself blue and dance naked/cricket/digestive biscuit worship.

That said I agree whole heartedly with what you say about his ”An approach to law which simply said - there's one law for everybody - I think that's a bit of a danger” comment DUGH. That has nothing do do with religion and everything to do with surely the whole point of law *is* that it's the same for everybody, it's not like buying a bloody mobile phone or a hamburger where you choose the options you like and leave the other (Ya wan' mayo on that law Sir ?).

[caddyman.livejournal.com]

I think the basic background culture is Christian. That doesn't mean I disagree with you about the actual religion being a thin veneer over indifference.

[november-girl.livejournal.com]

I was totally shocked at the Archbishop's comments. Apart from anything else, surely all he's doing is stirring up racial hatred by suggesting that Muslims have some sort of right to special treatment that others aren't permitted?

I'd also love to know if he subscribes to the belief that Jesus' teachings don't apply to everyone.

[davidt3001.livejournal.com]

The Archbishop seems to be referencing the concept of convivencia, in which the state guarantees an inoffensive (and often economically valuable) sub-culture's right to follow its own traditions and laws provided that the sub-culture acknowledges the state's right to rule and tax it. Historial examples include -- actually, (so far as I know) are limited to -- the earlier Achaemenid Persian empire, the Cordova caliphate and the Kingdom of Sicily under the de Hautvilles.

If so, I applaud his scholarship, but note that he's missing a vital component: for this tolerance to work, the protected minority had to be under no illusions about the state's capacity and willingness to impale or crucify anyone who got uppity about, say, a particular conception of god having primacy over the state.

Alternatively, on the equally plausible assumption that he's a short-sightly pandering to some percieved reasonable special interest group, he's denying basic rights in British law to those who happen to fall under the Sha'ria. Unless he's advocating a pick and mix approach, that is ...

[ladkyis.livejournal.com]

He's Welsh and he's stirring it. His knowledge of stuff like this is phenomenal he might seem like he is speaking without thinking but he's not.

A very very clever man is our Rowan

Ecrasez l'infame! (Voltaire French)

[littleonionz.livejournal.com]

Didn't we used to burn prelates for playing politics?
(Yes I know we also used to burn uppety women:)

That law and religion mix is a sad truth, whether they should or not is a question that any reasonable, enlightened, person already knows the answer to.
I want to live as a reasonable secular person in a reasonable secular society. But more and more I feel threatened by the credence given to people who basically believe in fairies.


I thought it was that old con merchant Crowley who came up with the 'Do as thou wilt blah blah...' thing?- have Wiccan's adopted it now or did I get the source wrong?