Should the US have a state church?

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Yes. And if you're not Christian, you should DEFINITELY vote yes.

Why? Because imagine if the US had a state church that resembled the Church of England or the Church of Sweden. Now take a look at what we have instead due to no state church and Pat Robertson actually has influence in America. State churches are as a rule almost always the most harmless. Imagine if the US's state church (or at least some ministers and churches in it) were performing gay marriages and how much that'd cut down opponents of it.

Canada should also just go ahead and make the United Church of Canada their state church for the same reason.

[angus]

State churches are as a rule almost always the most harmless.

okay, then.  Glad we got that cleared up. 

[Paul Kemp]

Option 3: BRTD should be fed to the lions.

[Grumpier Than Thou]

Still not buying this whole "hardcore Christian BRTD" thing.

[TJ in Oregon]

No, I would not support a state church in the US, even a harmless do-nothing one let's-make-everyone-happy one. While there will always be some religious elements in the government, I really think it would be a bad idea to have a state-mandated, elected body answering theological questions.

Of course, there's also that little snag about me being Catholic...

I actually wouldn't mind having to deal with being taught Protestant stuff in school but a 'state religion' is a step too far.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Do you have any idea how long it took for those state churches to become liberal?

[opebo]

Well it already does - Mammon.

[Lief 🗽]

Nah, it's too late to have a harmless, atheistizing state church, like they do in European countries. Ours would just inevitably morph into some sort of capitalist theocracy.

[King]

lol, you feeling okay, BRTD?

[Username MechaRFK]

Ralph Nader would move to Thailand to your buddy opebo and will bring the entire emoviolence crowd together with him :blink:.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Still not buying this whole "hardcore Christian BRTD" thing.

LOL, I'm actually involved now in the launch gatherings of a church planting group.

[Torie]

BRTD, you have now officially crossed over the River Styx. See you on the other side.

[Yelnoc]

No.  That's not 'Murrican.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

A State Church isn't just something you can just establish, you know. Especially not in a country with such a love of religious pluralism as the U.S.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

A State Church isn't just something you can just establish, you know. Especially not in a country with such a love of religious pluralism as the U.S.

Well it'd probably have to start out as more of a state interdenominational network, like what became the United Church of Canada or the Uniting Church in Australia.

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

Still not buying this whole "hardcore Christian BRTD" thing.

LOL, I'm actually involved now in the launch gatherings of a church planting group.

I did some work with a church planting project a few years ago. Sadly my job prevented me from being more involved.

I'd oppose a state church.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

A State Church isn't just something you can just establish, you know. Especially not in a country with such a love of religious pluralism as the U.S.

Well it'd probably have to start out as more of a state interdenominational network, like what became the United Church of Canada or the Uniting Church in Australia.

Neither of which are State Churches.

[Marokai Backbeat]

That's actually a really interesting argument for having a state church, but Lief's right, it's unfortunately too late to start one now.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

I suppose, if confusing cause and effect is fun, you could also argue that having a State Church makes a country more likely to have significant socialist elements in its health/welfare system. Or, perhaps, that God blessed the Protestants by giving them easier access to things needed for rapid industrialisation than the feckless Papists.

[2952-0-0]

So what will prevent Pat Robertson from taking over this state church and imposing his dogma on the entire society? Or a Rick Perry / Sarah Palin type person using their political power to purge the liberal elements out of the church? Institutions are living, breathing things you know.

Personally I think western civilization would have avoided a lot of trouble if Christianity spread in Europe like Buddhism spread in East Asia: not so much as an institution, but complementing the pre-existing pagan folk traditions.

[Boris]

I've briefly attended a Church of Denmark sermon and found it to be kind of boring, definitely compared to the other things one can do in Denmark. But I suppose it's a nice novelty to have and culturally identify with.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

It's funny, but there can't be many forms of Christianity as different from BRTD's bandshirted Happy Clappyism than a proper State Protestant Church.

[2952-0-0]

I occasionally go to the Anglican Sunday services on campus, and once in a while to a historic Anglican church in town. The difference in atmosphere cannot be more stark. It also depends on who the audience is.

[The Mikado]

Or, perhaps, that God blessed the Protestants by giving them easier access to things needed for rapid industrialisation than the feckless Papists.

I see what you did there.

[RIP Robert H Bork]

Yes. And if you're not Christian, you should DEFINITELY vote yes.

Ah, so you're not a Christian after all.