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Religion

muriel_volestrangler

(101,840 posts)

15. It sucked to have Church of England bishops voting in Parliament against marriage equality

Reply to hrmjustin (Reply #4)

Sat Mar 7, 2015, 02:26 PM

Mar 2015

http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2013/7-june/news/uk/bishops-gather-in-lords-to-vote-against-gay-marriage-bill

I don't like them having votes in the Lords when they have an official position opposing assisted dying: http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jul/15/assisted-dying-suicide-church-of-england-split

The UK would be more democratic if it didn't still have some hereditary lords. It would be more democratic if it didn't still reserve places in Parliament for the hierarchy of one sect, which most people do not actually follow - apart from funerals and a fair amount of weddings. it would be more equal if it didn't have a law demanding a daily act of worship of broadly Christian character even in nominally secular schools. It would be more equal if people were allowed to set up a publicly funded school that explicitly would have no act of worship at all, just as non-Christian religions have been allowed to do - but that's been blocked.

Religion is forced on us, by law.

It sucks.

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A secular society with secular institutions is fundamental to a democracy. [View all] Warren Stupidity Mar 2015 OP

Just ask the Chinese. Android3.14 Mar 2015 #1

It could also be fundamental to other forms of government. Warren Stupidity Mar 2015 #3

Of course a secular society is unnecessary Android3.14 Mar 2015 #8

Not unless you qualify "democracy" a lot more tightly than you have GliderGuider Mar 2015 #2

Good point. (nt) pinto Mar 2015 #5

The English seem to be doing just fine. hrmjustin Mar 2015 #4

Sure if you like monarchies and state religions. Warren Stupidity Mar 2015 #6

And democracy. hrmjustin Mar 2015 #7

So that whole separation of church and state thing is irrelevant? Warren Stupidity Mar 2015 #10

To Democracy there, yes. hrmjustin Mar 2015 #12

The Spanish seem to be doing just fine, too. okasha Mar 2015 #11

But, but, but... hrmjustin Mar 2015 #13

Sure does. okasha Mar 2015 #14

It sucked to have Church of England bishops voting in Parliament against marriage equality muriel_volestrangler Mar 2015 #15

You still have democracy. And yes I am not a fan of some of those bishops. hrmjustin Mar 2015 #16

I would say democracy is better with secular institutions muriel_volestrangler Mar 2015 #17

I don't agree the UK limps along and is much better than Iran's system. hrmjustin Mar 2015 #18

Yes, and de facto we're pretty much a secular society with secular institutions. Donald Ian Rankin Mar 2015 #20

What is fundamental to a democracy is a people willing to fight for the right to order their Leontius Mar 2015 #9

A society with a primarily secular system Igel Mar 2015 #19