Comments on: LDV readers say: yes to Church of England disestablishment http://www.libdemvoice.org/ldv-readers-say-yes-to-church-of-england-disestablisment-9526.html Our place to talk - an independent website for supporters of the Liberal Democrat party in the UK. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 08:55:56 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Rob Stradling http://www.libdemvoice.org/ldv-readers-say-yes-to-church-of-england-disestablisment-9526.html#comment-75765 Rob Stradling Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:45:29 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=9526#comment-75765 I think that supporters of disestablishment imagine that it will mean an end to offical sanction, and artifical respect, for superstition. If I believed that, I'd be all for it. Sadly, what I see as more likely is the extension of that respect to all the *other* superstitions. And let's face it, most of them are considerably more iniquitous than "vanilla" CofE. I fear that Freedom of Religion simply means *More* Religion. Surely, what we should be working towards is Freedom *From* Religion? I think that supporters of disestablishment imagine that it will mean an end to offical sanction, and artifical respect, for superstition.

If I believed that, I’d be all for it.

Sadly, what I see as more likely is the extension of that respect to all the *other* superstitions. And let’s face it, most of them are considerably more iniquitous than “vanilla” CofE.

I fear that Freedom of Religion simply means *More* Religion. Surely, what we should be working towards is Freedom *From* Religion?

]]> By: Roger Pearse http://www.libdemvoice.org/ldv-readers-say-yes-to-church-of-england-disestablisment-9526.html#comment-75723 Roger Pearse Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:54:55 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=9526#comment-75723 Erm, it's not a good sign that your commenters see government control of the CofE as a way to "control religion" rather than a service to the community! End this ancient abuse now. Erm, it’s not a good sign that your commenters see government control of the CofE as a way to “control religion” rather than a service to the community!

End this ancient abuse now.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.libdemvoice.org/ldv-readers-say-yes-to-church-of-england-disestablisment-9526.html#comment-75603 Anonymous Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:23:13 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=9526#comment-75603 Rob Stradling, perhaps the model of the Netherlands is in that case more encouraging. No established religion for over 100 years (though the monarch still can't be a catholic), and the country is considered to be one of the most tolerants. Then there's France, though not really liberal, not a theocracy either. Rob Stradling, perhaps the model of the Netherlands is in that case more encouraging. No established religion for over 100 years (though the monarch still can’t be a catholic), and the country is considered to be one of the most tolerants. Then there’s France, though not really liberal, not a theocracy either.

]]> By: Rob Stradling http://www.libdemvoice.org/ldv-readers-say-yes-to-church-of-england-disestablisment-9526.html#comment-75601 Rob Stradling Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:03:49 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=9526#comment-75601 Hmm... While I abhor the existence of an "official" religion in a modern democracy, the pragmatist in me has to acknowledge that the Church of England has been a very effective mechanism for keeping religion "under control". Whenever I dream of church/state separation in the UK, I remind myself of the USA - a nation whose founding principles included it, but which looks more depressingly theocratic with each passing headline. With that example, it's hard to imagine disestablishment having the effect here that its supporters - and I - would desire. Hmm…

While I abhor the existence of an “official” religion in a modern democracy, the pragmatist in me has to acknowledge that the Church of England has been a very effective mechanism for keeping religion “under control”.

Whenever I dream of church/state separation in the UK, I remind myself of the USA – a nation whose founding principles included it, but which looks more depressingly theocratic with each passing headline. With that example, it’s hard to imagine disestablishment having the effect here that its supporters – and I – would desire.

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