tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4251777016037497783.post4061935295244047755..comments2023-12-14T20:02:51.470-06:00Comments on The Heavy Anglophile Orthodox: Highly recommended readingMatthew Franklin Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233216128641267240noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4251777016037497783.post-54070946973752807022011-11-03T17:45:41.618-05:002011-11-03T17:45:41.618-05:00Hi John! Sorry I didn't get around to replyin...Hi John! Sorry I didn't get around to replying to your comment sooner...<br /><br />That's certainly a very true and very valuable observation, but I actually have tended to look at it in the opposite direction. The (peculiarly American, peculiarly Calvinistic, peculiarly sectarian and regional) religious Right would likely not be possible without the institutionalised separation of Christianity in all its forms from civic life in the first place. The backlash begins demanding 'tight' institutional wiring of religion into civic life (as in Iran).<br /><br />The 'loose' institutional wiring of religion into civic life (as in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, the United Kingdom et cetera) tends to keep religion accountable by giving it a higher profile. I'm not altogether clear on what it does for the state, though... even though Sweden and Norway opposed the war in Iraq, Britain and Denmark still signed on over the vociferous objections of high-profile establishmentarian religious leaders (like Archbp Rowan Williams).<br /><br />Something to consider, at any rate.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4251777016037497783.post-29668344458132842852011-10-31T20:30:10.642-05:002011-10-31T20:30:10.642-05:00"what is needed is a non-political head of st..."what is needed is a non-political head of state, informed by a religious establishment which emphasises economic justice and the common good." <br /><br />Interesting point. I know lots of people would scream "Iran! The Ayatollahs!" at this thought, but think about it: outside of some denominations, such as the Religious Right in the U.S., I would say most organized religious organizations are to the left of the media and political establishment when it comes to economics. At least that is what it seems like, I could very well be wrong.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com