How are politics and Christianity linked in your home country? Do traditionalist ideas have any influence within the church, and if so, are they affecting national politics? And how is the religious landscape changing?
I'll start. Over here, most Christians belong to the Church of England (CofE), nominally the state religion, though few take it seriously. The CofE, which permits significant variation in belief and worship, is divided into several groups, the most traditional of whom are the Anglo-Catholics. The Anglo-Catholic movement has a long history, and enjoys a limited influence among intellectual circles, but is invisible in the popular media. Moreover, the traditionalism of Anglo-Catholics is often limited to liturgy and a few token social issues.
The power of the CofE is exerted chiefly through the votes of the 26 bishops in the House of Lords (our relatively powerful upper house, which can and regularly does block or change legislation) and the pronouncements of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the highest presbyter in the church. These pronouncements are generally pro-progressive (especially on the immigration question). Even when we have a conservative Archbishop, as at the moment, he tends to remain quiet about his outspoken views (opposition to homosexuality and especially to gay marriage). Our previous Archbishop, Lord Rowan Williams, was extremely progressive, and our next will probably be similar.
Evangelicals do exist over here, and, unlike the more Catholic churches, actively proselytise. The more evangelical a church is, the less likely it is to tolerate progressivism; and a reasonable part of the opposition to issues like abortion comes from the evangelical CofE and other evangelical churches.
Northern Ireland is the one region in the UK where Protestantism is definitely politically active. In fact, the old-fashioned militant English Protestantism is still a major force there, capable (as far as I know) of mobilising public support behind groups such as the Ulster Unionist Party. However, religion in Northern Ireland is closely linked to politics (Unionism vs. Republicanism) and even race (Ulster vs. native Irish). Perhaps an Ulster user could comment on whether or not this is correct.
Parker Clark
Romanism has always been a minority religion in the UK. Historically, most Roman Catholics are either converts of the highest level of education, or lower-class Irish immigrants. Consequently, Romanism enjoys a disproportionate support among the upper echelons of the Conservative Party, with notable conservatives such as Lord Patten, Ian Duncan Smith, and Jacob Rees-Mogg being strict Catholics.
Romanism is not, however, traditionally well regarded by the British populace, so Catholic politicians are never very open about their creed; I cannot think of a single example of a politician making his Romanism a public matter. Catholic organisations do, however, work against abortion, which is effectively legal here until the third trimester. Recently, conversion to Roman Catholicism seems to be picking up, with a general move towards traditionalism among the educated.
here.. some christians are ok.. catholics.. protestants.. are ok. Our worse is these poor white trash evangelicals, that go to megachurches and get grifted constantly. These assholes also vote for Trump.
Logan Barnes
An interesting phenomenon that I have observed recently is conversion to Russian Orthodoxy by Anglo-Catholics who feel the church to be too liberal, but refuse to accept papal authority. This is always linked to pro-Russian sentiment, and, I think, to support for the far-right. Unfortunately no statistics are available (yet; the 2021 census will come through sooner or later) to quantify the significance of this movement.
Any questions? Sorry for writing so much; when I started half-an-hour ago I expected a much shorter thread.
Josiah Diaz
I imagine you mean OK in the sense of being socially liberal. By the way, are you the seetheposter with a prejudice against Appalachians?
Mason Bailey
I knew it. You can change your ID but you can't change your style.
All I have on Christianity, the teachings, morals, philosophy, law, history, origin etc.
History Christianity being in opposition to jewry: Pagan gods being the angels Historical Evidence for Jesus How Christianity transformed the wold Correcting claims on common misrepresented parts of the history: Sodom and Gomorrah Definitions: "Dinosaurs", Behemoths and Nephilim Teachings, Doctrines and Guidelines Law: Philsophy: Pauls work OT and NT belonging together The destruction of the Temple Logical argument for the christian God Different teachings within Genesis: Satanism: Sun as symbol for God Purpose behind good and evil Metaphysics: Afterlife and Judgementday: Why Jesus is needed: Role of the chosen people Ethnicities Trivia
On forgiveness and sinning. Trust in God as an excuse to do nothing Appealing to the masses, but abbominable to God Confusing mercy and patience with weakness
Thanks. What's the current state of Christianity in Germany? Last time I went it seemed like most people were wholly atheistic, but that was Hamburg, and it might be different elsewhere.
Andrew Miller
every place in europe is wholly atheistic, even here in Italy. I literally know 0 people among my age that happens to be catholic with few exceptions. IIRC 20% of young british identified themselves as christians in 2014/2016, wich is still quite a big number desu. but unfortunately most of them aren't really hardcore christians. Christendom is basically over, but it doesn't really matter that much because what's left isn't going to be "europe" in any meaning. the great apostasy of the west is also the great replacement of europeans, and the two things are linked.
Dominic Cooper
Why didn't Ireland convert to protestantism unlike the rest of the UK?
Adrian Stewart
It wasn't really under our control at the time of the Reformation, and since then the Catholic identity has always been linked with opposition to British rule. So the only Protestants in Ireland have historically been the Ulstermen, who are settlers from Scotland introduced to pacify northernmost Ireland, and the Irish aristocracy and upper middle classes, who supported British rule.
Parker Brown
honestly im not really involved with the churches or communities but generally people just keep their faith to themsrlves unless asked about.
Jaxon Barnes
Is there a class element to religion in Italy? As in, have the upper classes kept their Catholicism better, or is the reverse true? The only Italian I know (he's currently studying in America) recently turned into an extreme Catholic.
Sebastian Foster
Thanks.
Wyatt Howard
Oh interesting
Austin Reed
What denomination is not following any denomination? Just doing what the good book says? It sounds like a contradictory position
Nathaniel Garcia
traditionally, low class people were very catholic and middle/upper classes were a mixed bag, some were very catholic too, others were more on the liberal/masonic side. now catholics are old low class people for the most part. Italy is not a very class-based society though, not like the UK
Aaron Scott
>It sounds like a contradictory position Yes. Unfortunately that probably refers to people who are Christian in name only.
