RELIGIONS IN RELIGIONS IN BRITAINBRITAIN

Lecture 5Lecture 5

Democracy, multiculturalism and Democracy, multiculturalism and traditionalism of British society have traditionalism of British society have

determined the situation with religion in determined the situation with religion in the country:the country:

There is a great variety of religions, confessions and There is a great variety of religions, confessions and sectssects

Religion is separated from politicsReligion is separated from politics The monarch cannot be a Catholic The monarch cannot be a Catholic 26 senior bishops in the Church of England are all 26 senior bishops in the Church of England are all

members of the House of Lordsmembers of the House of Lords The government has the right to veto the choice of The government has the right to veto the choice of

bishopsbishops There is religious instruction in schoolsThere is religious instruction in schools

Established ChurchesEstablished Churches

Nowhere in Europe but in BritainNowhere in Europe but in Britain National churchesNational churches Official religions of the country by lawOfficial religions of the country by law The Church of England (Anglican The Church of England (Anglican

Church)Church) The Presbyterian Church of ScotlandThe Presbyterian Church of Scotland

The Church of England (The The Church of England (The Anglican Church)Anglican Church)

Established in 1534Established in 1534 The Head of the Church is an English Monarch. The Head of the Church is an English Monarch.

The monarch appoints archbishops and The monarch appoints archbishops and bishopsbishops

Episcopalian ChurchEpiscopalian Church The Religious leaders: Archbishop of The Religious leaders: Archbishop of

Canterbury (the seat is Lambeth Palace in Canterbury (the seat is Lambeth Palace in London) and Archbishop of YorkLondon) and Archbishop of York

24 senior bishops24 senior bishops 18 remaining bishops18 remaining bishops

The structure of the The structure of the Anglican ChurchAnglican Church

Each Each bishopbishop is in charge of a is in charge of a district called district called diocesediocese

Each diocese has a cathedralEach diocese has a cathedral Each diocese is divided into Each diocese is divided into parishesparishes

Each parish is in the care of a Each parish is in the care of a vicarvicar

Two branches of the Two branches of the Church:Church: High ChurchHigh Church – – similar to Catholic in terms similar to Catholic in terms

of the ritual, the decoration of the church, of the ritual, the decoration of the church, the robes of priests, the ceremonies and the robes of priests, the ceremonies and processionsprocessions

Low ChurchLow Church – often called evangelical. – often called evangelical. Strictly and consciously opposed to Strictly and consciously opposed to Catholicism. The content of the Bible is Catholicism. The content of the Bible is only important, the rest is of no value.only important, the rest is of no value.

Women in the ChurchWomen in the Church

Priests in the Church of Priests in the Church of England are allowed to be England are allowed to be marriedmarried

In 1987 women were ordained In 1987 women were ordained (allowed to become priests)(allowed to become priests)

Presbyterian Church of Presbyterian Church of ScotlandScotland

Completely separate from the Anglican ChurchCompletely separate from the Anglican Church Has its own organisation and appoints its own Has its own organisation and appoints its own

ministers. It has ministers. It has no bishopsno bishops Is a severe form of Protestantism founded in Is a severe form of Protestantism founded in

the 16the 16thth century century Based on the teaching of the great French Based on the teaching of the great French

reformer Calvinreformer Calvin Established by John Knox, a Roman Catholic Established by John Knox, a Roman Catholic

priest, converted to Protestantism priest, converted to Protestantism

WalesWalesHas no established churchHas no established churchThe Anglican Church was The Anglican Church was

disestablished in 1914disestablished in 1914There is a church of Welsh There is a church of Welsh

origin called both “Calvinistic origin called both “Calvinistic Methodist” and “Presbyterian Methodist” and “Presbyterian Church of Wales”Church of Wales”

Other conventional Christian Other conventional Christian churcheschurches

CatholicismCatholicism Free churches – non-conformists (Puritans, Free churches – non-conformists (Puritans,

Calvinists, those who didn’t accept the authority Calvinists, those who didn’t accept the authority of the Anglican church):of the Anglican church):

- Baptists – strict interpretation of the Bible- Baptists – strict interpretation of the Bible - Quakers (the Society of Friends) – lack of - Quakers (the Society of Friends) – lack of clergy and pacifismclergy and pacifism

Evangelical churches and sects. Pentecostal Evangelical churches and sects. Pentecostal church – emphasis on the spiritual and church – emphasis on the spiritual and miraculousmiraculous

Non-Christian religionsNon-Christian religions Islam (Muslims are the most numerous Islam (Muslims are the most numerous

immigrants): More than 1000 mosques in immigrants): More than 1000 mosques in BritainBritain

Judaism. The second largest Jewish Judaism. The second largest Jewish community in Europe is in Britaincommunity in Europe is in Britain

New Age religions New Age religions - Theosophy- Theosophy- Buddism- Buddism- Druidism- Druidism- Christian Scientism- Christian Scientism