Already reeling from yet another gruelling few days of discussing women bishops, the Synod of the Church of England can expect another problem after one of its members said that he would challenge the use of prayers before the daily sessions of the Synod.
Mr Brian Strangely-Annoid told reporters he had been inspired by the action of Clive Bone in challenging Bideford Council. He added, "The use of worship before Church of England Synod meetings is an anachronism - and discriminatory against people who don't believe in God. When I complained, they told me I could turn up late - but it made me feel uncomfortable, wandering across the hall when everyone else has already been there for a while. I demand equality for those atheists and members of other religions who are in the Synod - and who don't want to have Christianity rammed down their throat.
An Anglican spokesperson responded, saying "We believe that the use of prayers before Synod reflects the fact that this is historically a Christian organisation. At the last census more than 50% of members of the Church of England indicated that they believed in some kind of god. We appreciate there are socially-minded people who want to be involved in the Church without actually believing anything. But if those that don't believe in God don't want to take part in worship before Synod meetings, I suggest they just do what everyone else does and go on Twitter until it's all over.
They could always replace the prayers with tea lights and pebbles. That would also help attract more NSMs/SSMs to stand for the House of Clergy!
ReplyDeletehow about a labyrinth !!! , people like a good walk
ReplyDeleteCan't we compromise, hold the prayers but direct them to Friends of the Earth for distribution at their discretion?
ReplyDeletePerhaps they should just sing God Save the Queen?
ReplyDeleteAs Sir Humphrey noted that while the Queen "is inseparable from the Church of England", God "is what is called an optional extra."
Archimandrite Simon, nice to hear from you. I suspect compensation for lost wages might be more attractive to all that earn wages outside the church and for whom attending Synod would be a "holiday". Although they might see it as a sacrifice.
ReplyDeleteLabyrinths. Now there's an idea. But wouldn't they just go round in circles?
And I presume they do sing God Save the Queen, although I wonder whether this would happen at the beginning or the end. Perhaps a Synod member could enlighten us.