Another great response, thank you so much for this. I did not know that was how they did it. Always wondered how it was handled in the UK.
In some respects what you describe above sounds like what I was somewhat tongue firmly in cheek proposing. I do remember seeing Princess Diana's wedding being performed by the Church of England - the ritual is certainly still there and in some respects more involved than other denominations, such as many American Catholic Churches.
The Civil Partnership Act
This sounds like a potential compromise. It's not perfect of course, but at least it provides gay unions with the same "legal" rights as heterosexuals? Which would be a big step forward.
Maybe if we changed the name - instead of calling it "marriage" - call it a civil partnership? If the problem is the word? Maybe that is the solution? We still have all the meaning, we've just changed the word.
Part of the problem was that in 16th century England, Catholicism was regarded much like Communism in 1950s America
I remember a little of that from the Dorothy Dunnett novels - Catholicism was in some respects a political as well as a religious movement. The Pope had a great deal of power back then as did the Catholic Church. England at one point was a bit isolated in that it was one of the few countries not under the Church's umbrella in Europe.
In some respects, we haven't changed that much. Religion and politics are still entwined - and the battle is still partly over control of property or land, as well as the cultural practices of the inhabitants. I think to a degree the gay marriage debate is hitting against that.
Henry was just a cynical pragmatist.
Interesting point about Henry and Elizabeth. Thank you again for this. Much food for thought.
no subject
I did not know that was how they did it. Always wondered how it was handled in the UK.
In some respects what you describe above sounds like what I was somewhat tongue firmly in cheek proposing.
I do remember seeing Princess Diana's wedding being performed by the Church of England - the ritual is certainly still there and in some respects more involved than other denominations, such as many American Catholic Churches.
The Civil Partnership Act
This sounds like a potential compromise. It's not perfect of course, but at least it provides gay unions with the same "legal" rights as heterosexuals? Which would be a big step forward.
Maybe if we changed the name - instead of calling it "marriage" - call it a civil partnership? If the problem is the word? Maybe that is the solution?
We still have all the meaning, we've just changed the word.
Part of the problem was that in 16th century England, Catholicism was regarded much like Communism in 1950s America
I remember a little of that from the Dorothy Dunnett novels - Catholicism was in some respects a political as well as a religious movement. The Pope had a great deal of power back then as did the Catholic Church.
England at one point was a bit isolated in that it was one of the few countries not under the Church's umbrella in Europe.
In some respects, we haven't changed that much. Religion and politics are still entwined - and the battle is still partly over control of property or land, as well as the cultural practices of the inhabitants. I think to a degree the gay marriage debate is hitting against that.
Henry was just a cynical pragmatist.
Interesting point about Henry and Elizabeth. Thank you again for this. Much food for thought.