21 Apr 14
Originally posted by SuzianneNO
Is the state religion the Church of England or not?
Although an established church, the Church of England does not receive any direct government support. Donations comprise its largest source of income, and it also relies heavily on the income from its various historic endowments. As of 2005, the Church of England had estimated total outgoings of around £900 million
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_England
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21 Apr 14
Originally posted by FMFAgree.
[b]David Cameron accused of fostering division in 'Christian' UK
[quote]More than 50 prominent public figures including novelist, diplomats, Nobel prize winners and playwrights have accused David Cameron of fostering divisions in the UK by repeatedly referring to Britain as a Christian country. [...]
In a letter to the Daily Telegraph, they assert: "Ap ...[text shortened]... eadership ~ and if done for electoral reasons, deserving of severe rebuke.
Agree or disagree?[/b]
Unsurprisingly this irritated me [as it did the last time he claimed something similar].
This is [thankfully] not a Christian country, it's a secular one.
And his claim that we get our moral values from the bible.... Wow is he an idiot.
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21 Apr 14
Originally posted by FMF
Disagree with which bits?
Leaders open and proud of their faith: fine.
Leaders with political views shaped by their faith: fine.
Leaders declaring their countries to "have" the same faith as they have: not good ~ bad leadership ~ and if done for electoral reasons, deserving of severe rebuke.
Leaders open and proud of their faith: fine.
I prefer my candidates to be atheists, or at least secularists.
However it's not my most important criteria in voting.
Leaders with political views shaped by their faith: fine.
And this is why I prefer atheists candidates. Faith is a dumb thing to
shape beliefs around, and is likely to lead to bad policy and decision
making.
Leaders declaring their countries to "have" the same faith as they have: not good ~ bad leadership ~ and if done for electoral reasons, deserving of severe rebuke
Absolutely.
21 Apr 14
Originally posted by wolfgang59Well, thanks for clearing that up.
You obviously know nothing of the British Parliament.
The Head of the Church of England is the reigning Monarch.
That is a duty distinct from government.
The "State" does not sponsor any religion.
Unfortunately we still have the House of Lords with
unelected Bishops but that will be remedied soon.
I said I wasn't too comfortable speaking with any authority about things British.
22 Apr 14
Originally posted by FMFAgree. I prefer a government that does not officially endorse a belief. The leader of a nation should respect the beliefs of all its citizens and remain neutral on the matter.
[b]David Cameron accused of fostering division in 'Christian' UK
[quote]More than 50 prominent public figures including novelist, diplomats, Nobel prize winners and playwrights have accused David Cameron of fostering divisions in the UK by repeatedly referring to Britain as a Christian country. [...]
In a letter to the Daily Telegraph, they assert: "Ap ...[text shortened]... eadership ~ and if done for electoral reasons, deserving of severe rebuke.
Agree or disagree?[/b]
22 Apr 14
1 edit
Originally posted by FMFI agree that David Cameron saying that Britain is a Christian country will foster division. Of course he realises this and his gambit is that the division will cleave sufficiently to drive the conservative vote but insufficiency to drive [significant] social stress. I think he is probably correct in his gambit but wrong his stated premise.
[b]David Cameron accused of fostering division in 'Christian' UK
[quote]More than 50 prominent public figures including novelist, diplomats, Nobel prize winners and playwrights have accused David Cameron of fostering divisions in the UK by repeatedly referring to Britain as a Christian country. [...]
In a letter to the Daily Telegraph, they assert: "Ap ...[text shortened]... eadership ~ and if done for electoral reasons, deserving of severe rebuke.
Agree or disagree?[/b]
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27 Apr 14
Originally posted by SuzianneCameron last week told the arch bishop of canterbury to but out of politics because his sermons suggested that Camerons policy to stop or reduce benefits for the unemployed & sick was taking a lot of family's below the poverty line(food banks are popping up all over the uk)I feel that the church should have the right to be political.
My point is: the UK actually has a "state-sponsored" religion: the Church of England. Soooo it can't possibly be that much of a stretch to say the UK is a "Christian country".
If the atheists want to raise a stink, why don't they petition Parliament to drop their sponsorship of the Church of England?
27 Apr 14
Originally posted by SwissGambitI agree, politics should be secular. Cameron has every right to his beliefs but he is simply wrong in stating that the country is Christian in any meaningful way.
Agree. I prefer a government that does not officially endorse a belief. The leader of a nation should respect the beliefs of all its citizens and remain neutral on the matter.
Out of interest, Nick Clegg, the deputy PM (and from a different party, we are currenly under a coalition government) called this week for the Church to be disestablished. Which I am sure it will, eventually.
--- Penguin
28 Apr 14
Originally posted by PenguinEd Milliband ~ Leader of the Opposition ~ is an atheist [of "Jewish heritage"]. Nick Clegg ~ Deputy PM ~ is too (while his wife and children are Catholics).
Out of interest, Nick Clegg, the deputy PM (and from a different party, we are currenly under a coalition government) called this week for the Church to be disestablished. Which I am sure it will, eventually.