Religion, the Church of England and State Ceremonies

[cakeorwine]

I know we have an established church. I get that. And that's probably the answer to this question.

I do feel uncomfortable with the role that religion - specifically the Church of England - plays in State Ceremonies.

Watching the Cenotaph events on Remembrance Sunday. A moving event - but it does have a lot of religious elements. Prayers, hymns and The Lord's Prayer.

I think that anything religious should stick to events that are just for people of that religion. Or if it is multi-faith, then involve other faiths.

Remembrance Sunday is a national event. Keep religion out of it and just stick to remembering the people who died.

As has been explained to you (and I don't know why I'm rising to the bait, but still...) Head of State and Head of CoE are intertwined for state and public occasions and you don't have one without the other. The service we have on the second Sunday of November has been in pretty much that format for 103 years, only you seem to have an issue with it; if anyone else does they find something else to do once a year

It's a matter of hats.

He would be there as the Monarch. The Head of State. When I see the Monarch on the State Occasions such as Opening Parliament, I see the Head of State. Not the Head of the Church of England.

And yes, it's the same format. But guess what, formats can change. I mean they let a Humanist lay a wreath recently on behalf of Humanists.

I think you’re right - the CofE does have a ‘hold’ or role within society still. It is still a key institution and as such, has an influence and role in key state occasions like this. Or the coronation, or Queen’s funeral etc.

Lots of people are not religious. This might mean that in time we don’t have a state Church or its role dwindles. However, we haven’t got to that position. Like it or not, the Church is more entwined in the nations history and also in its present than many people realise. That’s why it’s there.

And actually, many of these events do include other religions too now. One of the official remembrance videos produced for use in schools was about the role of Empire Muslims in WW2 and the unknown role many played.

Some people would like there to never be a prayer or Bible reading, or mention of God anywhere public. Some people feel like this, but lots don’t. Bigger numbers than you think remain strongly religious and others might not call themselves religious but value the Church heritage and see it as part of their culture. It is true that some are uncomfortable with it. Over time, that group might grow and the influence of the Church might decline, but currently, the Church is still a huge institution in the same way the monarchy is and so it will be there at these key events.

Over time, that group might grow and the influence of the Church might decline, but currently, the Church is still a huge institution in the same way the monarchy is and so it will be there at these key events

Over time, maybe it will become less so.

Yes, that is what I said. Over time things might change….but we are not at that point at the moment.