The CofE stance on equal marriage is just one more reason why its privileged position must be challenged. Opinion piece published Barking and Dagenham Post 15.2.23.
What possible justification is there for the Church of England maintaining its privileged position as an arm of our state?
The latest blow is its stance on homosexuality. The Bishops’ recent decision to bar same sex couples from marrying in Church is at odds with the law of the land. When it comes to marriage, the state embraces equal rights and compassion for all couples, irrespective of sexuality. But the official established state religion stigmatises and discriminates. Jayne Ozanne, CofE General Synod member and prominent gay rights campaigner, described the Bishops’ decision as “utterly despicable.”
The decision comes after six years of ‘listening and learning.” It is therefore particularly disturbingly that it appears to prioritise keeping on board deeply homophobic Anglican clerics, many from countries where homosexuality is subject to severe criminal sanction. Steve Reed, MP, Shadow Secretary for Justice, said it is “unacceptable for the established church to continue pandering to ancient bigotry”.
The views of the Church should matter to everyone, including the great majority who are not Church members. One privilege the Church enjoys is its unique leading role in state occasions, such as the upcoming coronation of King Charles, our Head of State. As ‘Defender of the Faith’ our King is also tasked with defending the doctrine of the official state religion. It is invidious that our Head of State is required to defend a doctrine which is at odds with our law, embeds discrimination, and causes so much hurt.
Other examples of unjustified privilege and power enjoyed by the Church include the sway it holds in state-funded schools, and the automatic right of 26 bishops to sit in the Lords, where they resist reforming the law compelling children to take part in Christian worship every day. All this despite the latest news from the 2021 census that more people aged under 67 ticked the ‘no religion’ box than ticked ‘Christian.’ The CofE is a minority within a minority.
The Bishops have every right to hold and express their views, no matter how offensive many find them. That is a cornerstone of a modern democracy. What is not unacceptable is a minority belief enjoying baked in power and privilege as our official religion, not least when it doesn’t respect the equal rights of all citizens.
Paul Kaufman
Chair East London Humanists
