Powerful Stuff

 I agree

This annoyed me

Students told not to use the term 'Christian name' or 'surname'.

Read Here

UK's first non-binary priest

This story (UKs first non-binary priest) cropped up on Ancient Briton.

It would take too long to explain how I feel about it. I do know, however, that views of sexual orientation change with time and I for one feel that Alan Turin was treated appallingly (by society) in the 1950s. It would not happen now: I am glad that people these days are are more englightened. Indeed it seems that one can only get anywhere these days (particularly on the stand-up comedy circuit) if one is a member of the LGBTQ+ community. So I feel that society has far too relaxed a view of these issues and the church struggles to keep up and make sense of it all.

It will not be long before the C of E has many such clergy and - I expect - it already does have a large sprinking of non-heterosexual priests.

On balance, it is better for it to be out in the open than underground. One comment on Ancient Briton says - "The sickness continues to spread". Yet, if you love somebody, you love them as they are.

It can make some of feel uncomfortable at times. I will leave it there.

Embarrasing

I do not think going to church should be an embarrasing experience. Yesterday, in the intercessions, the leader said, "Do not be afraid to call out the name of somebody you wish to pray for". Nobody did, thankfully.

Now, when I briefly attended an evangelical church this would have been fine and not out of the ordinary. Thus, I conclude, that those now tasked with leading worship in C of E churches are striving to make services more akin to those of the evangelical brigade.

English people are a reserved lot; none moreso than me. I do not go to church to cringe!

Christians are now a minority

Christians are now a minority in the UK. Katie mentions this result from the 1921 census. She makes some other very good points. Sorry if you do not agree. She speaks for many.

I do not have a problem with people from other lands coming to the UK. I do have a problem with them coming here illegally and the government turning a blind eye. Don't get me started.

Trans Jesus?

What utter stupidity. Not sure how long this video will stay up but a Dean has suggested that Jesus could have been 'Trans' and the video seems to be fair comment.

The Bishop of Oxford

The Bishop of Oxford has said that the church should marry gay couples. The issue does not worry me. I have known and worked with a variety of people with - let's say - differing sexual orientations. Most of these have been decent human beings who just want to get on with their lives. (I do not care for extremely rampant 'campness' such as we see on TV but I'm not getting into that here)

The problem the church has is Saint Paul and his teachings.

I've never liked St. Paul ever since I had his letter to the Romans as a set book for Divinity 'A' level (that's R.E. to you). What is more, I think the church has - over the years - based much of its teaching on St. Paul rather than that of Jesus. I am not particularly aware of what St Peter stood for. Surely he was the rock upon which the church was built.

There were similar problems 40 years ago (and still are in some places) over the church marrying divorced people.

The poor of C of E: it cannot make up its mind.