Twas ever thus.

Why do you think Henry II said "will no one rid me of this troublesome priest".

The UK is the only democracy that has a state religion putting us alongside the likes of Iran and Saudi Arabia.

We need to separate church and state then the Archbishop is free to say what he likes because I doubt many will listen. Why on earth does he get to vote on these matters.

One more point

One more point

The C of E is a long way from broke, for all his rambling Welby would not allow empty church properties to be used to house " refugees "

Time to tax them IMO

Responsibility Deficit Disorder is a medical condition. Symptoms include inability to be corrected when wrong, false sense of superiority, desire to share personal info no else cares about, general hubris. It's a medical issue rather than pure arrogance.

and anyway, the Church used to be the main ideological arm of the State.
Now replaced by the Mass Media...especially the BBC in this country.

it is as plain as the nose on your face that the Church has become a dinosaur.....in the age of Social media, Live sport events and all that.

Eze Peasy at Anfield....

I think that may be more broadly applied to religion in general.

When it comes to Millennial/Gen Z I would be highly surprised if anything above a single-digit-percentage of them had strict adherence to or observation for any religion. I grew up in a Catholic household and community, where many were either immigrants or the children or immigrants and therefore religious observance was 'a thing'. Barely alive these days if at all. Perhaps other religions may not go down the same exact path but I can see some correlation occurring.

I think you're right with Media in that sense, but I'd also suggest with regards to social connection, status and direction of thought - 'social media' is the new church, priest and bible these days. I mean this without insult or mockery, but 'here's a very old book that I know more than you about and holds all the information you need... don't question it's divinity!' has been replaced with information on just about anything at the touch of a screen. Knowledge has therefore become less of a commodity however individual expressionism and subscribing to the 'correct and current' things these days is far more important.

Perhaps religion may come back into the fold if the right people promote it on Instagram and TikTok in the near future? I don't like that idea though, a Christ should be for life and not just for Dogmas...

Now Zaha's got a bit of green grass ahead of him here... and finds Ambrose... not a bad effort!!!!

I like this, Badger; a rhetorical question within a rhetorical question. I wonder if such a construct has a name. (That's a statement and not a question, of course).

Palace since 19 August 1972. Palace 1 (Tony Taylor) Liverpool 1 (Emlyn Hughes)