Religion in Britain

Everyone in Britain has the right to religious freedom. Britain is predominantly Christian - one British citizen in 10 is a member of the Roman Catholic Church and there are 1.7 million members of the Anglican Church (the Church of England) - the «established church», that is the church legally recognized as the official church of the State. It dates from 1534, when Henry VIII broke away from the Church of Rome and declared himself Head of the Church of England. British monarchs still bear this title today. The Queen (or the King) on the advice of the Prime Minister appoints two Archbishops (of Canterbury, who is the Church's leader, and of York) and 42 bishops who sit in the House of Lords. Although the Church receives no money from the state, it is a great property owner and also has a large number of stocks and shares. Priests in the Church of England have the right to be married, and in 1987 women were allowed to become priests. Very often vicars who are responsible for separate parishes take a great interest in their parishioners and combine the tasks of priest, social worker and psychologist.

In Scotland, there are 1.1 million members of the Presbyterian Church— the established church in Scotland. It is completely separate from the Anglican Church, has its own organisation and appoints its own ministers. Presbyterianism is a severe form of Protestantism, founded in the 16th century by the followers of the great French reformer Calvin. In Northern Ireland, about half the people regard themselves as Protestants and nearly 40% as Roman Catholics.

In Wales the Anglican church was disestablished in 1920. It means that there is no one officially established church, but Methodist and Baptist are the two most widespread Christian Churches.

The leader of the Catholic church in Britain is the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster. Normally only unmarried men are allowed to be Catholic priests but in 1987 for the first time two married men were allowed to train as priests.

The Jewish community in Britain is the second largest group of Jews in Europe. More than half of them live in London. Jews still tend to marry Jews, for both racial and religious reasons, though it is happening less and less among the young generation.

Britain has one of the largest Muslim communities in Western Europe, with about 1-1,5 mln people and 600 mosques and prayer centres. One of the most important and beautiful Muslim institutions in the Western world is the Central Mosque in London which is part of the Islamic Cultural Centre.

The Sikh community in Britain comprises about 4-5 thousand people, with the largest groups of Sikhs concentrated in Greater London, Manchester and Birmingham. The oldest Sikh temple was established in London in 1908.

The Hindu community in Britain accounts for about 320,000 people. Its first temple was opened in London in 1962 and now there are over 150 throughout Britain. Fewer and fewer British people go regularly to the traditional Protestant and Catholic churches. But there is a great deal of interest in religion. There are many newer and smaller Christian organisations which are growing fast. Every year new cults spring up, which are not based on Christianity or other major religion. Many of these cults offer ways of discovering one's real self. Others are adaptations of ancient religious practices or superstitions, such as moon worship or witchcraft.

Non-denominational religious teaching (that is Christian, but not from any one Church) is compulsory in all state schools in Britain. The day usually starts with a short service held in the school hall. If a student has strong religious objections she does not have to attend the service or religious lessons. In Scotland neither the morning prayers nor the religious lessons are compulsory. Nowadays the old narrow intolerance of the churches is breaking down. Many established churches are moving closer together, bringing nearer the idea of ecumenism, the movement toward universal Christian unity.

4. DECIDE WHETHER YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS:

1. Church in Britain is not separated from the state.

2. The religious split in Britain happened in the 8th century.

3. Queen Elizabeth II is the official Head of the Anglican Church.

4. Archbishops and bishops of Britain are not elected by clergy.

5. The official church of Britain is not financially supported by the state.

6. The established church of Scotland is the same as in England.

7. There are more-Catholics than Protestants in Northern Ireland.

8. The Church of England is an official religion in Wales.

9. Britain has the largest Jewish community in Europe.

10. British school children have obligatory religious classes.

Дата добавления: 2015-09-05