Tommo68 Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 What is he up to? http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10790495/Former-archbishop-of-Canterbury-We-are-a-post-Christian-nation.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10790495/Former-archbishop-of-Canterbury-We-are-a-post-Christian-nation.html http://www.brennerbrief.com/uk-deputy-pm-calls-breaking-link-church-state/ Plenty more examples on the net. But this raises some questions about clegg's motive and timing. Does this latest apparent attempt by clegg at headline grabbing mean that he is desperate for some of the media attention Ukip is getting? Or Is he using Ukip as a smoke screen as he appears to out himself as a servant of those that oppose, and or fear, the church of england? Regardless of who is in power the church has often spoken out against government policy. Could this lead to the church being silenced? Or is it that he is using the distractions caused by the attention the media is giving Ukip to undermine the monarchy. Like it not, logically, the Queen has only got a few years left. Her successor charles was never really popular and less so since the death of diana and he married camilla (which could easily open a bag of worms all on its own). He has not got that much longer left either. Bear in mind that charlie can be and has been quite outspoken at times and often he appears to be not towing the party line.. so to speak. In short he is by some viewed as a potential embarassment and it may well suit some if he was not to become king. Our monarchs pay lip service to the state and everyone knows that they have to rubber stamp anything parliament puts in front of them to sign. The monarchy's only real roles are that of a bit of flag waving, some charity work (they have to appear to be doing something for their money) and as head of the church of england. If clegg can start the process to undermine the latter role the monarchy will become little more than a tourist attraction. For the roles they play in that regard; opening of parliament, trooping the colours etc they could be replaced by actors and for much less money. The properties the royals own could either be sold off to generate some quickcash or a longer view could be taken and they could be opened up as some kind of pay for view attraction or even turned into theme parks or game reserves. My only objection to the above is that the demise of the monachy would be another albeit quite significant nail in the coffin of british culture as we know it. No doubt that will please some that seem hell bent on changing this country irrevocably and not, I think, for the better. Almost, if not, treasonous in a sense. Treason no longer carries a death penalty so they would just languish in jail at the taxpayers expense, doubtless whilst they write whinging letters to anyone daft enough to publish them. Clegg seems to have overlooked how many of his party's supporters are church goers. This all has the potential to be quite... interesting. And don't forget the (so called) Ancient chinese curse .... May you live in interesting times. . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Clowning Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 Who cares what Clegg has to say ? Next he will want a one on one TV debate with the Arch Bishop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Joker Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 Does this latest apparent attempt by clegg at headline grabbing mean that he is desperate for some of the media attention Ukip is getting? Or Is he using Ukip as a smoke screen as he appears to out himself as a servant of those that oppose, and or fear, the church of england? Regardless of who is in power the church has often spoken out against government policy. Could this lead to the church being silenced? It could be both. I know that Church leaders were recently protesting outside Nick Clegg's constituency offices about the lack of effort the ConDemNation coalition are putting in to ending food poverty and maybe this is Cleggy's (albeit petty) payback: http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/food-poverty-protesters-1-6569049 Campaigners held hands and prayed in a vigil to highlight the plight of families going without food in Sheffield. The vigil took place outside Sheffield Hallam MP and Deputy PM Nick Clegg’s office as part of the End Hunger Fast initiative. It aimed to shed more light on the increasing demands facing food banks across the city as people struggle to make ends meet. Rev Phill Borkett, Superintendent minister in the Methodist Church in Sheffield, said: "Families are going hungry, despite the best efforts of churches and communities in supporting much-needed food banks. "Such inequality has no place in 21st century British society and urgent action is needed to end it." A letter signed by 300 clergy was handed to Mr Clegg’s office as part of the vigil, held after the latest meeting of the Sheffield Food Bank Network. Nick Waterfield, who works for the Methodist Church and also organises a food bank in Parson Cross said: "It’s important that the effects of poverty do not go unnoticed. "In Sheffield, the Methodist church aims to recognise, challenge and respond to inequality and unfairness wherever it surfaces. "It’s time that politicians and policymakers listened to the suffering that is evident." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeMaquis Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 What is he up to? I have to ask what you're up to. Most of your OP is about the monarchy. Clegg's idea is about the state and church. There's no reason to believe that separating state and church will end up with the abolition of the monarchy. The first link you provide doesn't mention the monarchy. I didn't open the other two as there's no evidence that you know what you're on about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tzijlstra Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 He's not 'upto' anything, it is a classic LibDem party policy that has its origin in the automatic political power the church has without democratic representation. He has a duty to his electorate to argue this case, and he is doing. Democracy in action. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilge Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 I call for the separation of Clegg and his seat. But I agree with him on this issue. Why should the taxpayer subsidise that nonsense? Same goes for the monarchy, unelected second chamber, honours system, massive inequalities of wealth and health etc. Let's start a proper democracy instead. If you started a new country today with a blank sheet of paper would propping up the C of E be on your list of things to fund? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SportsTrophy Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 A Sheffield MP as the countries 2IC and what do we have to how for it? He has abandoned his priorities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vincentb Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 He's not 'upto' anything, it is a classic LibDem party policy that has its origin in the automatic political power the church has without democratic representation. He has a duty to his electorate to argue this case, and he is doing. Democracy in action. Well said. To everybody else out there: you do know that the LibDems have a lot of classic principles and policy positions, which they (shock horror) might want to see implemented even if it's not the policy calculated to satisfy the Mail's prejudices? One example: Clegg arguing against UKIP about europe; another example: voting reform. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resident Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 Does this mean that if it goes through that the govt and authorities will stop pandering to other religions that aren't Christianity too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L00b Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 Does this mean that if it goes through that the govt and authorities will stop pandering to other religions that aren't Christianity too?I see where you're going with this... But, in a nutshell, yes - absolutely. It's called secularism ("State secularism" at the national level, where Gvt institutions are concerned). And is badly needed here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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