Uk is a Christian country?

[Kathryn]

Quite true...
However he remained a believing Christian, and never lost or destroyed the fundamental beliefs and style of worship of the Church. What he did was to wipe away the power and structures that sustained the church of Rome in England.

His search for an heir turned him, in Roman eyes, into a serial polygamist, and church vandal.

It was not until King James and the advent of the new Bible and order of services, that the Church of England became beyond reasonable challenge.

Well, I'll leave the judgment of Henry VIII's mortal soul to God, but as my mom always told me, "Actions speak louder than words."

Oh - and "Pretty is as pretty does."

I do believe that Henry VIII was a devout Christian at one time in his life. His theological writings and his devotion to Catherine of Aragon for so many years supports that position. But power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. I believe he lost his way, and used the Reformation to further his own personal and political agendas.

His story is one of a tragic fall from grace and virtue in my opinion. I think Sir Thomas More would back me on that one!

 

[Meow Mix]

I find it horribly backwards that states in this day and age still have religious leanings. Governments are supposed to represent the people; and the people aren't all part of x religion. Having an "X Religion Country" is a thing of the past in my opinion.

 

[Twilight Hue]

I find it horribly backwards that states in this day and age still have religious leanings. Governments are supposed to represent the people; and the people aren't all part of x religion. Having an "X Religion Country" is a thing of the past in my opinion.

I agree MM. One would think there are more pressing matters at hand to contend with than a "crisis" in identity. :yes:

To me, the barometer to determine the makeup of any given nation is if there are active laws present enforcing religious beliefs under threat of penalty and a ruling class comprised of clergy. If there are such laws present and actively enforced, it's obviously a theocracy, of which I'm sure Britian and the USA certianly are not.

 

[9Westy9]

I find it horribly backwards that states in this day and age still have religious leanings. Governments are supposed to represent the people; and the people aren't all part of x religion. Having an "X Religion Country" is a thing of the past in my opinion.

I don't mind him calling the Uk a 'Christian country'. What worries me is that he seems to think we're having some sort of moral relapse. Hopefully he wont try taking our country back to the dark ages .

 

[Breathe]

I don't mind him calling the Uk a 'Christian country'. What worries me is that he seems to think we're having some sort of moral relapse. Hopefully he wont try taking our country back to the dark ages .

I think he's thinking of chavs and suchlike.
Some people around where I live do seem pretty amoral from my experience.

Somehow, though, I don't think getting chavs in church will help.
Might be interesting though.

 

[9Westy9]

I think he's thinking of chavs and suchlike.
Some people around where I live do seem pretty amoral from my experience.

Somehow, though, I don't think getting chavs in church will help.
Might be interesting though.

Make sure the preacher has 999 on speed dial

 

[JMR105]

I think any American would be absolutely shocked how secular Britain actually is in practice.

Religion plays absolutely no part in the lives of the vast majority of the British public, outside of token visits to churches for weddings, funerals and christenings.

The Chruch of England has warned that if churchgoing numbers continue to plummet at the current rate, the Church will barely exist in 20 years!

I would actually go as far as saying that the majority of Britain's actually treat those 'of faith' with suspicion and even ridecule, using derogatory terms such as "Bible-bashers" and "God-botherers" etc.

I am being serious here. Outside of specialised 'Faith Schools' religion is in terminal decline.

 

[Breathe]

I would actually go as far as saying that the majority of Britain's actually treat those 'of faith' with suspicion and even ridecule, using derogatory terms such as "Bible-bashers" and "God-botherers" etc.

I've had this kind of attitude thrown at me. People can be so ignorant.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

So do you agree with Cameron? Is Britain a Christian country or have we become more secular? What does a Christian country mean anyway?

A Christian denomination is the official state religion, your head of state is the head of a church, and you have bishops appointed to the House of Lords holding real legislative power.

Yes, Britain is a Christian country. The fact that it's also a largely secular society is a separate matter.

Well, I was being a bit facetious - but Henry the VIII did found the Church of England - an ironic turn of events in my opinion. He wasn't exactly a paragon of virtue.

Heh... if we excluded everyone who wasn't a saint (no pun intended), there wouldn't be much Christian history left.

For instance, the Roman history podcast I listen to recently dealt with Ambrose of Milan and his influence on various Emperors. "Machiavellian" is probably the best term I can think of to describe him.

I find it horribly backwards that states in this day and age still have religious leanings. Governments are supposed to represent the people; and the people aren't all part of x religion. Having an "X Religion Country" is a thing of the past in my opinion.

That makes me think of another point: to the extent that a government declares itself accountable directly to God, it's declaring itself unaccountable to the people. Even in a country where everyone belongs to one denomination, state religion is anti-democratic.

 

[Kathryn]

Heh... if we excluded everyone who wasn't a saint (no pun intended), there wouldn't be much Christian history left.

Yes, but - even lunatics like Martin Luther and Origen were at least motivated by sincere faith, however misguided. Henry VIII started his own church so he could divorce his wife and legally marry the opportunistic (and pregnant) Anne Boleyn.