It's the minor character Marcellus, and not Hamlet, who coins the phrase. There's a reason he says "state of Denmark" rather than just Denmark: the fish is rotting from the head down—all is not well at the top of the political hierarchy.
The Church of England is "Established" and thereby the State Church.
It's not just Denmark that has its problems. Prayers needed here.
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Separate church and state everywhere-it's a ridiculous anachronism and pitiful pretense.
ReplyDeleteYet there are a lot of advantages to being the Established Church. Most State schools accept our contribution to Assemblies or even classrooms; by default, Hospital patients come under our care unless they specifically opt for another denomination/faith; the parish system makes every single part of England part of a Church of England parish, and thereby gives us access to people and Rites of Passage - we're not seen as extreme, threatening, proseletysing - we're part of the landscape and the make-up of England.
ReplyDeleteBut that doesn't mean we shouldn't look at our organisation and try to ensure that it treats its clergy with respect.