Patrocles – As far as I can see, you need to see farther. Please do some homework. Review the Cincinnati Bible Wars for starters.

We in the Church of England are being ‘encouraged’ – though not ‘forced’ – to hold services of thanksgiving for the Diamond Jubilee of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II. I’m sure that there will be an expectation that “appropriate” things are said at such services!

Now don’t get me wrong: I have enormous respect for the Queen’s dedication over the last six decades and more, and will be very sad when the day comes that she is no longer our Head of State. But I always feel uncomfortable about ‘church-state’ occasions, just as I have a dislike of national flags etc inside churches.

We in the Church of England are being ‘encouraged’ – though not ‘forced’ – to hold services of thanksgiving for the Diamond Jubilee of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II. I’m sure that there will be an expectation that “appropriate” things are said at such services!

Now don’t get me wrong: I have enormous respect for the Queen’s dedication over the last six decades and more, and will be very sad when the day comes that she is no longer our Head of State. But I always feel uncomfortable about ‘church-state’ occasions, just as I have a dislike of national flags etc inside churches.

Give ’em what they want – and watch them cannibalise each other over who gets to say what’s “appropriate”.

Give ’em what they want – and watch them cannibalise each other over who gets to say what’s “appropriate”.