Theos has published a two part series on the establishment of the Church of England. Jonathan Chaplin writes that it is Time for the Church to cut the knot, whereas Nigel Biggar writes Why the Anglican establishment is good for a liberal society.
Giles Fraser writes for The Guardian about The art of religious sunbathing: giving up trying to be in control.
Giles is much better at religion than political philosophy
Speaking as an American Episcopalian, I would be quite disappointed if Charles (who will probably reign as King George) was crowned in Westminster Hall in a purely secular ceremony. It would quite take the romance out of the notion of Monarchy. I would almost say that if you’re going to disestablish the Church, you might as well get rid of the Monarchy while you’re at it, and inaugurate President Cameron instead. Of course, I’m free to say this because the establishment has no actual effect on my life.
“Giles is much better at religion than political philosophy”
Biggar, on the other hand, is very good at both. An excellent and cogent argument. My only counter to it, speaking from a New Zealand perspective, is that the Anglican church has never held a privileged position here, and I would not consider that we are (for that reason) in any greater threat of totalitarianism than is England.
Hey Whit
Charles will be King up here north in Canada.
I have to say I back the role that Charles is reputed to have wished for himself, “Defender of *all* Faiths”
It’s especially important for us here in Canada with French Canada, which traditionally has been Catholic.
With respect to the Canadian relevance of whether the Church of England should be disestablished as presented by Randal Oulton: The Crown in Canada is represented by the Governor General chosen here and confirmed as a matter of form in England at most. The Monarchy is not a reality here: we have no spiritual Lords, no Prince’s Trust and so forth. Reliable polls indicate that most French Canadians are a) not members of the Roman Catholic Church and b) have no faith at all and c) would like to see the tie to the Monarchy ended. A clear break by… Read more »