I see that Nick Clegg , who is an atheist , is considering sending his son to the London Oratory
Roman Catholic school. His wife Miriam is a practicing RC.
This school is the same one Tony Blair ( who was Cof E at the time ) sent his elder children to.
His wife is also a devout RC.
In both cases the children are being brought up as RCs.
Are these examples of the power of the RC church or loving husbands doing what their told.
neither, anyone of reasonable intellegence will realise from and early age that all religion is a load of old pony. All that then matters is the standard of eductaion. Presumably this school is good academically so all the kid has to do is go through the motions with the religious c0bblers. Presumably Clegg has confidence in the childs ability. Blair was religious anyway and presumably thought the academic side outweighed minor differences in the set of fairy tales that are pushed.
"Blair was religious anyway and presumably thought the academic side outweighed minor differences in the set of fairy tales that are pushed."
I do not believe Tony Blair thought there were any differences; he was RC in all but name for many years before officially joining the church in 2007 after leaving office. He had been a regular worshipper at Mass for many years while serving as PM.
"anyone of reasonable intellegence will realise from and early age that all religion is a load of old pony." Some of the most intellectual thinkers of today are devoutly religious. I would hesitate to suggest, as your post implies, that someone like the current Archbishop of Canterbury is not of "reasonable intelligence".
I had a Co E friend who was engaged to a Dutch RC girl and he said she was frightened to offend her church. They then had a visit from her priest who told them that they had to get married in the RC church and bring the childern up as RCs. and failure to do so would result in their children being illegitimate in the eyes of the church.
Senior clerics are managers in fancy dress, I'd be surprised if they had no doubts about their beliefs, it's a good job with good perks. I could easily become a vicar by pretending and it would be a good career. I wouldn't be surprised to find the clergy has a sizable number of atheists.
ummmm # My Mum was a protestant and when she married my Dad (RC) she had to vow to bring us up as Catholics. #
That's interesting it would appear it doesn't matter which parent is RC the church is the boss.
Would you mind if I ask you a couple of questions ? Did your father raise you out of religous beliefs or out of fear of the church.? Did your mother remain a protestant ?