Call for change in marriage law

BTW, since you asked, I care very much about the disestablishment of the C of E. I think it needs to happen. That does not reduce the religious importance of the church to its members, only its political importance and political privileges, which it shouldn't have anyway – not in the 21st century.

I agree, Bags, but it looks as if it is doing a pretty good job of imploding anyway. It has been quite unable to settle the questions of women bishops or gay marriage. There may soon be a parting of the ways - modernisers in the UK one way, and traditionalists in Africa going another.

If you're worried about the undermining of religious marriage maybe you should consider how many weddings are performed in church for couples who have no religious faith but fancy a big wedding with all the trimmings.

Surely treating the church as part of the day's entertainment undermines the religious aspect far more than having a civil ceremony first. Perhaps the church should restrict it's blessings for those who truly believe and refuse to simply act as a pretty setting and ritual.

It costs £440 to get married in a C of E church - perhaps they would prefer not to lose the revenue?

Bags I meant to address the "don't you care" question to Micelf.

Wouldn't' dream of asking you that.

Thinking about the cost of church weddings, apparently there is a problem with bell ringers now this new system of tax has come in because they are usually paid for ringing the bells at a wedding. Apparently, if HMRC continues to insist that they are employed by the church or the parish council, it will just be too much hassle to record real-time tax so brides will have to do without the bells.

Not really relevant but another example of unintended consequences in George Osborne's incompetent plans government policy.

It never fails to amuse me that the Church of England, who are being high handed at present about gay marriage was largely founded not so much on the ideas of the rising protestant movement, but the pragmatism of King Henry Vlll who wanted to Divorce and remarry.
He had no doubt found it impossible at that time to bribe or otherwise influence the Pope in his favour.

Same here, nelliem. It's really quite ironic that a church founded on changing the rules of marriage makes such a fuss about others wanting to make some progress on the same front.

And, jings, I chose the word 'progress' carefully

The Pope was more scared of Catherine of Aragon's nephew then he was of her husband. If it had been the other way round we'd still all be Catholic.

I wouldn't!

Nor would I!

Well in theory lol