The Power of Christianity
Queen extols the 'unique' power of Christianity
From The Telegraph
By Jonathan Petre, Religion Correspondent
(Filed: 16/11/2005)
The Queen opened the Church of England's General Synod yesterday with a ringing endorsement of the "uniqueness" of the Christian faith.
In a speech that reflected her personal beliefs as well as her role as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, she contrasted the enduring nature of Christianity with the rapid changes in society.
"For Christians, this pace of change represents an opportunity," she told a packed hall in Church House, Westminster. "When so much is in flux, when limitless amounts of information, much of it ephemeral, are instantly accessible on demand, there is a renewed hunger for that which endures and gives meaning.
"The Christian Church can speak uniquely to that need, for at the heart of our faith stands the conviction that all people, irrespective of race, background or circumstances, can find lasting significance and purpose in the Gospel of Jesus Christ."
The Queen's words will be welcomed by churchgoers who fear that the message of Christianity is in danger of being diluted amid efforts to embrace a multi-faith culture, particularly after the terrorist attacks on London.
Since the July 7 bombings, Church leaders have intensified their attempts to promote inter-faith dialogue to demonstrate solidarity with Muslim communities.
In a Synod debate on terrorism yesterday, one speaker called for Muslims to be invited to sit on the Synod as a gesture of reconciliation.
The Prince of Wales caused controversy in a 1994 television interview when he said that when he became king he would like to be known as Defender of Faith rather than Defender of the Faith to reflect the spectrum of belief in Britain.
The Queen's speech, in which she formally inaugurated the eighth Synod, the Church's "parliament", comes shortly after a vitriolic attack on her by al-Qa'eda.
She was recently denounced in a video by Ayman al-Zawahiri, the second-in-command to Osama bin Laden, as "one of the severest enemies of Islam" who was responsible for Britain's "crusader laws".
Al-Zawahiri also threatened British Islamic leaders who "work for the pleasure of Elizabeth, the head of the Church of England".
The Queen, who was accompanied by Prince Philip, told the Synod that one of its priorities should be the deepening of relations between the Christian Churches in Britain.
"At a time when the Christian family is rightly increasing its efforts to promote greater dialogue and understanding with those of other faiths, it remains important to be at the heart of the Synod's concerns."
She also made an apparent reference to the splits and divisions in the Anglican Church over issues such as homosexuality and women bishops.
Welcoming the appointment of Dr John Sentamu as Archbishop of York, she warned him that he and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, faced a "heavy burden" of responsibility over the next few years.
"Down the centuries the Church has had to endure many steep and rugged pathways," she said. "But the promise is that with God as our guide we may have the strength to live our lives courageously."
Dr Williams thanked the Queen, saying: "In the face of all that we now confront, the unchanging truth of God's revelation in Christ is a rock that must remain the foundation and inspiration of all that we do.
"We are therefore grateful for all those, and in particular Your Majesty, who by their steadfastness give us orientation in challenging times."
The Queen has come under pressure from liberals to step down as Supreme Governor of the Church. In 2000, the Liberal Democrats voted in favour of ending the right.
Her position is thought by some to be offensive to people of other faiths such as Jews, Muslims and Hindus and to Christians who are not members of the Anglican Church.
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The Lib Dems are the embodiment of the God hating tree hugging terrorist appeasers who aim to spread their namby pamby atheist views.
From The Telegraph
By Jonathan Petre, Religion Correspondent
(Filed: 16/11/2005)
The Queen opened the Church of England's General Synod yesterday with a ringing endorsement of the "uniqueness" of the Christian faith.
In a speech that reflected her personal beliefs as well as her role as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, she contrasted the enduring nature of Christianity with the rapid changes in society.
"For Christians, this pace of change represents an opportunity," she told a packed hall in Church House, Westminster. "When so much is in flux, when limitless amounts of information, much of it ephemeral, are instantly accessible on demand, there is a renewed hunger for that which endures and gives meaning.
"The Christian Church can speak uniquely to that need, for at the heart of our faith stands the conviction that all people, irrespective of race, background or circumstances, can find lasting significance and purpose in the Gospel of Jesus Christ."
The Queen's words will be welcomed by churchgoers who fear that the message of Christianity is in danger of being diluted amid efforts to embrace a multi-faith culture, particularly after the terrorist attacks on London.
Since the July 7 bombings, Church leaders have intensified their attempts to promote inter-faith dialogue to demonstrate solidarity with Muslim communities.
In a Synod debate on terrorism yesterday, one speaker called for Muslims to be invited to sit on the Synod as a gesture of reconciliation.
The Prince of Wales caused controversy in a 1994 television interview when he said that when he became king he would like to be known as Defender of Faith rather than Defender of the Faith to reflect the spectrum of belief in Britain.
The Queen's speech, in which she formally inaugurated the eighth Synod, the Church's "parliament", comes shortly after a vitriolic attack on her by al-Qa'eda.
She was recently denounced in a video by Ayman al-Zawahiri, the second-in-command to Osama bin Laden, as "one of the severest enemies of Islam" who was responsible for Britain's "crusader laws".
Al-Zawahiri also threatened British Islamic leaders who "work for the pleasure of Elizabeth, the head of the Church of England".
The Queen, who was accompanied by Prince Philip, told the Synod that one of its priorities should be the deepening of relations between the Christian Churches in Britain.
"At a time when the Christian family is rightly increasing its efforts to promote greater dialogue and understanding with those of other faiths, it remains important to be at the heart of the Synod's concerns."
She also made an apparent reference to the splits and divisions in the Anglican Church over issues such as homosexuality and women bishops.
Welcoming the appointment of Dr John Sentamu as Archbishop of York, she warned him that he and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, faced a "heavy burden" of responsibility over the next few years.
"Down the centuries the Church has had to endure many steep and rugged pathways," she said. "But the promise is that with God as our guide we may have the strength to live our lives courageously."
Dr Williams thanked the Queen, saying: "In the face of all that we now confront, the unchanging truth of God's revelation in Christ is a rock that must remain the foundation and inspiration of all that we do.
"We are therefore grateful for all those, and in particular Your Majesty, who by their steadfastness give us orientation in challenging times."
The Queen has come under pressure from liberals to step down as Supreme Governor of the Church. In 2000, the Liberal Democrats voted in favour of ending the right.
Her position is thought by some to be offensive to people of other faiths such as Jews, Muslims and Hindus and to Christians who are not members of the Anglican Church.
---------------------------------------------------------------
The Lib Dems are the embodiment of the God hating tree hugging terrorist appeasers who aim to spread their namby pamby atheist views.
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