Church of England downplays Satan in bid to modernize

[LuckyTheDog]

The Church of England is ditching cassocks – and even the Devil – as its drive to modernize gathers momentum.

Vicars will be allowed to conduct communion services in more casual clothing, including jeans, after the Church agreed this weekend to review existing rules on clerical vestments.

The General Synod has also backed an alternative baptism service which leaves out mention of the Devil, in an attempt to appeal to people who have no religious background.

MORE HERE: http://wonkynewsnerd.com/church-of-england-downplays-satan-in-bid-to-modernize/

[hrmjustin]

1. I do not agree with doing services in street cloths.

[Skidmore]

3. That's funny because in

the church I grew up in that is what the preacher wore--ordinary business suit or just jacket and trouser with regular shirt. I always thought it that the clothing worn by the ministers in other denominations were strange to see.

[hrmjustin]

4. And I respect those tradition but as an Anglican I can not abide services being done in street cloth

unless it is too hot, or a service outside the church.

[uppityperson]

5. To show the seriousness or respect by taking the time to dress well?

[hrmjustin]

7. Not well but in proper liturgical vestments of the church.

Cassoks, chasubles, stoles, mitres, and the rest are proper Anglican vestments and it breaks my hear this news.

[moriah]

16. Will this affect the whole Anglican Communion, or just the CoE?

They seemed to make that distinction, so I am curious if this actually has any effect on US-based Episcopalian churches.

[hrmjustin]

17. Just the COE.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

10. It sounds to me like this is optional,

and especially considering that they are British, most will probably continue to wear the usual vestments. I'm sure some will opt to be trendy to attract "youth" (same mindset as guitar masses and "Christian rock," ick!), but we'll see how that "sells."

[hrmjustin]

11. It should not be optional.

But yes it is about survival.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

6. It seems kind of disrespectful to me.

And I say that as someone who isn't religious. Maybe I'm just an old fogey, but it seems like if your religion is important enough to you that you are willing to haul your butt out of bed on Sunday mornings to go to church, you might at least try not to look like something the cat dragged in. And that goes double for clergy. You're an officiant, not the congregation's buddy. Not that God or Jesus would probably care, but it's more a matter of mental preparation or something, I guess, as a way of acknowledging the importance of the event.

[hrmjustin]

8. Yes. it is centuries of tradition that are being changed here and it is heartbreaking.

[ChazII]

12. It will not be long before

this comes to the US.

[hrmjustin]

14. The Episcopal Church has no official rule in the Prayer Book on vestments but it won't be welcomed.

[ChazII]

19. Some might welcome it

but I will not.

[El Supremo]

2. This and ordination of female bishops - They are sounding more like Presbyterians all the time!

Except Presbyterians don't have bishops.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

9. I like the idea of renouncing the Devil and all his works.

Even if Satan is merely symbolic, which I think he is, I think it's a good thing to renounce what he stands for.

[NightWatcher]

13. You want popular, ditch the whole 'god' thing and start serving fancy coffee

I love how religions are willy nilly dropping long held dogma from their doctrine now.

First the catholics dropped the whole "fish" thing, now this church is ditching the whole boogieman idea.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

15. When ritual arises the Tao is absent. Lao Tse

[moriah]

18. If this keeps up, we won't be able to say it's "all of the ritual, none of the guilt"....

Please don't come after the incense next!

[WinkyDink]

20. Very sad. "Guitar" services made my husband stay home. Same mistake as with education: Dumb down,

and it will only get worse.