government snubs Christianity ?
 

seems some in the church aren't to pleased with the way gordys government favour islam http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7442285.stm

Re: government snubs Christianity ?
 

I'm probably going straight to hell for saying this, and I apologise for not having anything more intelligent/informed to say on the subject, but.....

.....if more of the Clergy looked like the Reverend Joanna Jepson I could probably be persuaded to spend a bit more time in church :)

Re: government snubs Christianity ?
 

Oh and you think they put her on the BBC by accident do you?? :D

Re: government snubs Christianity ?
 

Not for one second :D

I'm sure she was very carfeully chosen :)

Re: government snubs Christianity ?
 

A Minister for Religion, I certainly hope not, the further religion stays away from politics the better, I'd hate to see us go down the road of the USA on this.

Re: government snubs Christianity ?
 

Not surprisingly I disagree. Having such a minister would not tie any faith closer to the government but would see that all faiths are treated equally.

Re: government snubs Christianity ?
 

I do think there is some virtue in that idea. Removing the Spiritual peers from the house of Lords would be a good start. ;)

Re: government snubs Christianity ?
 

Government should be secular & ensure ALL citizens/representative groups are treated equally, whatever their religious beliefs or lack of them...

How about a Minister for Humanity?

Re: government snubs Christianity ?
 

But society doesn't work that way, hence we have a Minister for Women etc

You've already got them - any minister without a religious outlook.

Seriously though, the day humanists become a persecuted or disadvantaged minority you're welcome to one.

Re: government snubs Christianity ?
 

Can we get a 'Minister for White Heterosexual Atheists' as well please :D

Re: government snubs Christianity ?
 

Minister for religion what next minister for bedtime stories and other fables. Sorry if the church isn't happy then much like most of us in the UK on one issue or another TOUGH LUCK. Religion has no place in politics in whatever form or shape those of faith have their places to go the cabinet shouldn't be one of them.

Re: government snubs Christianity ?
 

Such a minister would be responsible for respect between the faiths as well as respect and tolerance for those who share differing views (such as atheism). Faith is too big a subject in the world to simply sweep it under the carpet just because you don't agree with it.

Re: government snubs Christianity ?
 

Ok, so how would we choose such a Minister?

If he or she were a follower of any particular faith there would be accusations of bias, if they were a person without faith then there would be accusations that they weren't in tune with the faiths that they represented.

Any person in such a role would be nothing more that a token representative, still finding themselves having to give more weight to the political doctrine of the Government than to the sacred doctrine of their religion.

Re: government snubs Christianity ?
 

I disagree - I think it would be best if such a minister had no specific faith therefore there would be no accusations of being biased. Someone with a background in theology or ancient texts would be a move in the right direction. I don't see how it can be an issue for the right person. If it helps educate the armchair experts then I'm all for it.

Re: government snubs Christianity ?
 

We already have bishops in the house of lords and the head of state the head of the church.

Re: government snubs Christianity ?
 

The problem seems to be that there has been a suggestion that the Government are prioritising, or giving favour to, religions other than Christianity.

If this is the case then it is only doing so because it believes that this is the best policy for it to adopt.

Any Minister (regardless of what the Government says that their remit is) will be required to do what is in the best interests of the Party and the Government before anything else.

This means that if the political will is that a certain bias should be given to religions other than Christianity then that is the line that the 'Minister for Religion' will be expected to tow.

It doesn't really matter (although I believe there's still an issue there) what religious background said minister is from, they won't have a choice where they show their bias - they will simply have to do as they are told.

Re: government snubs Christianity ?
 

Which I think strengthens the argument for the requirement of a Minister for Faith/Religion.

Re: government snubs Christianity ?
 

Correct me if I'm wrong but if it was heavily related to the church of england wouldn't that conflict with the idea of keeping the monarchy out of the commons

Re: government snubs Christianity ?
 

If what was heavily related to the CoE?

Re: government snubs Christianity ?
 

Presumably the remit of the Minister for Religion, as the C of E apparently want more recognition from/influence in the Government...

Re: government snubs Christianity ?
 

Well that makes no sense whatsoever. A Minister for Religion being influenced by the CoE?? No-one is asking for that.

I think the CoE have suggested such a minister to ensure equality in faith wherever possible, not to request its own ideals being promoted over others.

Re: government snubs Christianity ?
 

Religion is and should be a matter of personal choice and shouldn't in anyway be related to politics. Also if this stupidity goes ahead where exactly does it stop in what you have a minister for you could end up with a 50-60 member cabinet absolutely stupid keep religion in the churches where the faithful can practice it and hear it not in the commons they are already good at stories they don't need religion as an extra.

Re: government snubs Christianity ?
 

Indeed...she would have me speaking in tongues.....apparently when she was younger she had reconstructive surgery.

Re: government snubs Christianity ?
 

Torygraph
"Reverend Joanna Jepson, curate of St Michael's Church in Chester, had corrective surgery on a congenital jaw defect....."."

Not sure if you are being humourous or not re the "speaking in tongues" - if so, rather bad taste; if not, my apologies.