Remove Bishops from House of Lords - Petition

[zebo-the-fat]

If we need bishops, why not have druids as well?

Signed it!

[robvalue]

Either they're qualified on their own merit to be in the position, or they are not. If they're only there because they're in a death cult, then get them the fuck out and replace them with someone more suitable. They can still be Christians, as long as they are actually there for the right reasons.

Whether the House of Lords itself is actually worthwhile, I couldn't say.

[Mr Greene]

Although I am no fan of Henry VIII's church, one wonders how necessary it is to remove them.

The Church of England is fairly mild and inoffensive as far as Churches go. The agenda it advocates is likely no different from that of the UK Labour party.

Also, are not Church of England bishops servants of the state as well as the Church? They after all represent the Church that Queen Elizabeth II is the "head" of.

I might think differently if these bishops were advocating a theocracy, but as they are not, I think they should stay!

If that were accurate then there wouldn't be the need top remove them. However as stated they stand in direct opposition to British society on multiple points and politically occupy a position more in line with the BNP, a trend that is becoming more pronounced as the moderates leave quicker than the hard-liners.

[vorlon13]

We could polygraph them and if any true believers turn up, they could be asked to resign.

As for the slackers and charlatans, if you don't leave them there, you'll have an empty building.

[robvalue]

Polygraphing religious theists sounds like a fun thing to do anyway.

Can we? Can we?

[Excited Penguin]

"United Kingdom". Facepalm.

[Mr Greene]

Official Government Response to petition:

Government responded:

Changes to the composition of the House of Lords, including Church of England Bishops, are important but, given the very full programme of other constitutional changes, are not a priority at present.

The Government has no plans to remove the Church of England Bishops from the House of Lords.

The Government considers that the relationship between the Church and the State in England is an important part of the constitutional framework that has evolved over centuries. As senior members of the established Church of England, 26 bishops are appointed to the House of Lords. Bishops provide an important independent voice and spiritual insight into the work of the Upper House and while they make no claims to direct representation, they seek to be a voice for all people of faiths. The House of Lords also contains a number of other senior faith representatives.

People have a right to conduct their lives in accordance with their faith insofar as this does not unlawfully interfere with the rights of others and it is important to strike a fair balance between religious freedom of expression and the rights of, for example, lesbian, gay and bisexual people not to be discriminated against. Therefore, the law protects the rights of both these groups. The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013, which received Royal Assent on 17 July 2013, extends marriage to same sex couples in England and Wales, while protecting and promoting religious freedom.

Cabinet Office

So unsurprisingly supporting the status quo, however the petition continues to grow and a formal debate should open the ground further.

[robvalue]

What a load of pandering bollocks.

"Spiritual insight"? What on Earth is that meant to be?

[vorlon13]

Um . . .

it occurs to me English history is replete with instances of a problem being noted and a solution being implemented that was far worse than what they started with.

So, what's the down side to pulling the CofE out of the HofL ??

Replace them with hedgehogs? Bacteria? Picts? A cellphone app? The dead? Bonsai cedar trees?

[robvalue]

The downside is the one Christian left in England will go proper mental.