poliphilo: (Default)
poliphilo ([personal profile] poliphilo) wrote2008-12-19 10:51 am

O Little Town Of Bethlehem

I have sympathy with the vicar who decided he didn't want to be singing "O, Little Town of Bethlehem" this year. He'd been to the real Bethlehem, seen what a shit-hole it is, got involved with the politics- and couldn't square his experience with the fantasy version in the carol. 

"How still we see thee lie"? Actually, no. 

It's the job of a priest to point this sort of thing out.

Christianity isn't just bubblebath for the soul.  There's also the social gospel.

Myth and ethics: a powerful- and volatile-  combination. 

Besides, there are plenty more carols to chose from.

[identity profile] jfs.livejournal.com 2008-12-19 01:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Ahh - my perception is that in Britain, the Anglican church is pretty much the definition of 'orthodox' :-)

(edited for mis-spelling)
Edited 2008-12-19 13:11 (UTC)

[identity profile] sorenr.livejournal.com 2008-12-19 01:21 pm (UTC)(link)
True, and I suppose the C of E actually upholds a claim to apostolic succession, and in part the belief in transubstantiation, both of which in my thoroughly Lutheran brain seem like emblems of orthodox Christianity.

Mind you, I never really grasped the tenets of the C of E so I might be completely off the mark.

[identity profile] poliphilo.livejournal.com 2008-12-19 02:13 pm (UTC)(link)
The Anglican church thinks of itself as both "Catholic" and Reformed". Or in other words, it's all you other guys who are marching out of step.