THE TELEGRAPH: Startling figures come as dossier accuses bishops and senior clergy of driving through controversial plans to cut costs and vicars
The Church of England has been “dealt a death knell” as parishes close at a record rate, a Telegraph investigation has revealed.
Almost 300 have disappeared in the past five years alone, analysis of church data reveals, the fastest rate since records began in 1960.
The startling figures come as a bombshell dossier accused bishops and senior clergy of “putting a gun to people’s heads” to drive through controversial plans to cut costs, merge parishes and cut vicars.
The claims come against the backdrop of declining congregation numbers, leaving many clergy afraid to speak out for fear of losing their jobs. » | Gabriella Swerling, Social and Religious Affairs Editor and Ben Butcher | Saturday, September 2, 2023
I fear that it is only a matter of time before Islam will become the dominant religion in the UK. Brexit has helped accelerate the process, but so have our PC laws. One dare not speak out anymore, for fear of falling foul of them.
It is a curious phenomenon that, despite Islam being viewed by many rather negatively, it is growing apace. It is an appealing religion to many because it is a muscular and masculine religion.
Like it or not, Islam also offers simplicity and certainty in a complicated and uncertain world.
Saul of Tarsus hijacked the Christian faith; alas, not for the better. If one looks into Christianity’s history, the religion today bears little relation to the beliefs that Jesus taught. That is because Saul, later Paul, made the Church the Pauline Church, and in so doing introduced many myths that many young people are no longer willing to believe.
We are living in, and through, unnerving times. The UK is changing at such a rapid pace now that we Brits are in danger of losing all that we always held dear. – © Mark Alexander
