Anglicanism

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 961.

Kinds of religious groups

Religion and politics

In Britain there is no political pressure group, which is based on particular religious ideology (except Muslims). The only conflicts are: the monarch can not be a Catholic; 26 senior bishops of the Church of England are members of the House of Lords, and the government has right to choose them; the ultimate authority for this church is the British Parliament.

Also, there are some other conflicts, like the ones, when representatives of some religious groups are critical of government policies. (ex. the case of the homosexuality; Church is for sexual discrimination, government - against).

Other reason for conflict is schooling. Almost a third of state-founded schools are ‘faith schools', and however they are obliged to teach evolution, they are not actually banned from teaching any other theory of human origin.

Has more patriotic and political reasons than doctrinal ones. As a result, it is a ‘broad church' willing to accommodate a wide variety of beliefs and practices.

Clergy (vicar/rector/parson, priests, curate)

Continuation of orthodox ritual

Three main strands:

Evangelical (‘low church') – emphasis on Bible, the one most opposed to Catholicism, reject Papal doctrines and suspicious to hierarchical structure of the church. Plain ceremonies with a minimum of ceremony.

Anglo-catholic (‘high church') – identical to the Catholic, except it doesn't accept Pope as the ultimate authority. Ceremonies are colorful and include organ music and elaborate priestly clothing.

Liberal wing – question some of traditional Christian beliefs, tolerant towards homosexuality, overtly concerned with social justice.