Unitarianism and the Cof E

[JockSporran]

What is the policy or attitude of the C of E towards Unitarianism?

[VillageVicar]

In the most simplistic manner; Anglicans do not believe, by doctrine, or in general, that they alone are guardians of the truth. The principle differences, of course, are the �Place of Christ� concept as identifying a continuing community within Anglicanism, where this sense is not prevalent within a Unitarian community.

Anglicanism encourages, in our personal spiritual journeys, to grow, to learn, and where important, to challenge ourselves. Each of us chooses (or not) to grow in different ways.

Having said this, just as with any faith, political party, social group, or even familial setting, diversity is such that there can be those who are not moderate in their thinking nor even capable of rising above set beliefs, even when those beliefs are challenged.

Fr Bill

[Theland]

Fr Bill - Would you expand on your answer?
I am confused as to the place of the 39 articles of faith, and the importance of scripture, that is, its authority.
If an Anglican such as J.C.Ryle was aware that he was not in possession of the Truth, what else would he have advocated along with his own personal beliefs?
With respect, Fr Bill, your answer appears to be open to much interpretation, an 'anything goes, liberal theology.
And to be incapable of rising above set beliefs even when those beliefs are challenged? Surely that is critical of anybody who adheres to the simple faith in Jesus and rejects, for example, ecumenism?

[jake-the-peg]

My understanding is that unitarians reject the notion of the trinity and therefore do not necessarily agree that Jesus was divine.

To suggest therefore that the most significant difference then is the community seems rather strange.

I don't know what the CofE's current position on unitarianism is now but certainly it was historically quite scandalous to be a Unitarian many people would have thought Unitarians not even Christians

[JockSporran]

Please come back in, Fr Bill.

Unitarians (as I understand) are Christians in that they follow the teachings of Christ. They do not, however, believe that Jesus is God, and they would argue that it is not necessary to believe that Jesus is God in order to be a Christian.

The C of E (as I understand) is quite a broad church, allowing diversity of opinion and belief, but do they allow Unitarian belief among its membership and clergy?