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Clergy who don't believe in God
The London Times ^ | 5 July 2005 | Ruth Gledhill

Posted on 07/04/2005 6:53:08 PM PDT by Aussie Dasher

Clergy and laity show signs of schism over homosexuality, miracles and the Almighty

HUNDREDS of Church of England clergy doubt the existence of God and fewer than two thirds believe in miracles, a study out today says.

The report, published on the eve of the General Synod, refers to “very fragile faultlines along which the Church of England could be torn apart”. Congregations are much more conservative than most of the comparatively liberal clergy preaching to them.

The report says that if committed Anglicans are clear about one thing it is the existence of God: 97 per cent have no hesitation in affirming His existence. Yet, it continues, one in 33 clerics doubts the existence of God. If reflected throughout the Church’s 9,000 clergy the finding would mean that nearly 300 Church of England clergy are uncertain that God exists.

(Excerpt) Read more at timesonline.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: anglican; anglicans; church; churchofengland; clergy; europeanchristians; god; unbelievable
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To: Aussie Dasher
And this kind of 'liberalness' seems to be spreading, as per clergy in other faiths as well that don't take their vows or the teachings of their faiths seriously and lead many astray.

If these clowns don't believe in God, what exactly do they believe in?

Doesn't matter, as long as it's not the 'traditional' interpretation of 'God'. Afterall, a 'merciful' and 'loving' God would not deny gays the right to marry, etc. They assume our interpretation of God and the Bible all these centuries has been wrong and they are the saviors to come along and rescue us. And just as long as we become enlightened by them and go along with them. These are the first to openly and on record admit their unbelief that I have read, but I don't believe they'll be the last. I'm searching for the link I read a few months ago about Priests in Austria or the Czech Repub who kind of said the same thing. The real question: is anyone disagreeing with them or have they all been swayed?

21 posted on 07/04/2005 7:09:27 PM PDT by fortunecookie
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To: Senator Pardek

Fair enough - but you'd reckon a minister of religion would at the very least believe in God!


22 posted on 07/04/2005 7:09:50 PM PDT by Aussie Dasher (The Great Ronald Reagan & John Paul II - Heaven's Dream Team!)
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To: Aussie Dasher
Sir Humphrey Appleby: "The Queen is an inseparable part of the Church of England!"

Prime Minister James Hacker: "And what about God?"

Sir Humphrey Appleby: "I think He is what is known as an optional extra."

--Yes Prime Minister

23 posted on 07/04/2005 7:10:45 PM PDT by Loyalist (No confidence in Mr. Dithers.)
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To: Loyalist

Sir Humphrey was before his time!


24 posted on 07/04/2005 7:11:44 PM PDT by Aussie Dasher (The Great Ronald Reagan & John Paul II - Heaven's Dream Team!)
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To: Aussie Dasher
If these clowns don't believe in God, what exactly do they believe in?

A minister that doesn't believe in God reminds me of a Democrat that doesn't believe in government.

These aren't ministers. They are con men.

25 posted on 07/04/2005 7:13:13 PM PDT by stevem
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To: Aussie Dasher

Sounds like some Unitarians I know.


26 posted on 07/04/2005 7:17:57 PM PDT by Vaquero ("an armed society is a polite society" Robert Heinlein)
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To: Fido969

You are absolutely correct, except the Marxists infiltrated back in the late '50's or early '60's.

This is indeed the poisoned fruit.

Read up on the World Council of Churches or the National Council of Churches. It'll flat curl your hair.


27 posted on 07/04/2005 7:18:23 PM PDT by Humidston (Hillary's Full Name - EVITA PEYRONie's CLINTON)
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To: Aussie Dasher


.


Praise GOD that...

LOVE is the only reality and that...

GOD is LOVE.


.


28 posted on 07/04/2005 7:19:56 PM PDT by ALOHA RONNIE ("ALOHA RONNIE" Guyer/Veteran-"WE WERE SOLDIERS" Battle of IA DRANG-1965 http://www.lzxray.com)
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To: Aussie Dasher
> If these clowns don't believe in God, what exactly do they believe in?

I do believe you have invented the next national parlor game.

10. Organic brown rice
9. Collection plates
8. Global warming
7. The return of the Mother Ship
6. Gaia
5. Public opinion polls
4. Therapy
3. Group nudity
2. Pedophilia
1. Entrails

29 posted on 07/04/2005 7:20:14 PM PDT by T'wit ("My little jokes don't hurt nobody. But when Congress makes a joke, it's the LAW!" -- Will Rogers)
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To: T'wit

11. Tofu

;-)


30 posted on 07/04/2005 7:22:05 PM PDT by Humidston (Hillary's Full Name - EVITA PEYRONie's CLINTON)
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To: Humidston

There's plenty of athiest clergy right here in the United States. We saw many of them rallying for Kerry last year, and then there's that 'Separation of Church and State' group that says they are clergy, when in fact they are athiests.


31 posted on 07/04/2005 7:23:03 PM PDT by Lancey Howard
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To: Vaquero

Sounds like some Unitarians I know.

Faith without Creed - Unitarians
http://www.uua.org/pamphlet/3089.html

At least they are upfront with their unbelief
The Anglicans have no such excuse


32 posted on 07/04/2005 7:23:13 PM PDT by HangnJudge
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To: sionnsar
Sigh, I've heard of this before. Such clergy think of themselves simply as "providing a service."

So why does their book say The Book of Common Prayer? Who are they praying to?

33 posted on 07/04/2005 7:26:25 PM PDT by concerned about politics (Vote Republican - Vote morally correct!)
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To: stevem

They may be con men or they may simply be occupying a job. I see the unbeliever ministers much like union auto workers. They don't really believe in the work they do or in the results. They're just there and keep on going.

But when they don't believe in anything, then what is there to get excited about? There is no literal Presence. The Holy Spirit is just a concept. Jesus may or may not have actually lived, but he was just a pretty good man with occasional bouts of temper. No difference between Jesus and Buddha or Mohammed, really.

How can you be excited about anything when nothing really matters and everything is symbolic at best?

Satan has his shoes off and his feet on the desk. His work is being carried on by a number of believers, but more unbelievers. After all the devil doesn't require that you believe in him, just that you do what he will.


34 posted on 07/04/2005 7:26:35 PM PDT by MarkBsnr (When you believe in nothing, then everything is acceptable.)
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To: Aussie Dasher
If these clowns don't believe in God, what exactly do they believe in?\

Pension funds?

35 posted on 07/04/2005 7:27:26 PM PDT by Podkayne (Islam is a lie. Allah is not Jehovah. Burkas are evil.)
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To: Aussie Dasher
HUNDREDS of Church of England clergy doubt the existence of God and fewer than two thirds believe in miracles, a study out today says.

"Clergy" who disbelieve in God are accepting their salaries under false pretenses. They are common thieves.

36 posted on 07/04/2005 7:28:24 PM PDT by Semi Civil Servant
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To: Aussie Dasher
"HUNDREDS of Church of England clergy doubt the existence of God and fewer than two thirds believe in miracles, a study out today says. "

The Bible warns us of shepherds who lead the sheep astray. There is gonna be one hell of a price to pay! Congregations should send these charlatans packing because they are a blight on Gods creation.

37 posted on 07/04/2005 7:28:37 PM PDT by patriot_wes (papal infallibility - a proud tradition since 1869)
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To: Lancey Howard
There's plenty of athiest clergy right here in the United States.

Absolutely! I couldn't agree more.

38 posted on 07/04/2005 7:30:38 PM PDT by Humidston (Hillary's Full Name - EVITA PEYRONie's CLINTON)
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To: T'wit

You forgot kwaanza.


39 posted on 07/04/2005 7:33:22 PM PDT by theymakemesick (Adjusted for inflation, Clinton's 1997 $42m inauguration cost 25% more than W's $40m in 2005)
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To: Aussie Dasher

Sounds somewhat self limiting to me. Who would go to church to be preached at by an atheist?


40 posted on 07/04/2005 7:34:38 PM PDT by bill1952 ("All that we do is done with an eye towards something else.")
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