Kick the Bishops out of the Lords

I could hardly agree more with what Sandi Toksvig writes here. I’ve written lots about my thoughts on religion before: it is nothing but a profoundly opressive, outdated form of social control which humanity urgently needs to outgrow. It seems Toksvig agrees, as in today’s Guardian she has written a very interesting piece arguing that bishops shouldn’t have a place in the House of Lords. I think that’s pretty obvious: as she points out, the only other country in the world where religious leaders automatically become members of the government is Iran. We are supposed to be a democracy, so why the zark do we have men whose only authority is derived from an imaginary sky-fairy which few believe in any more, anywhere near our government? It is profoundly undemocratic, completely anachronistic, and should be abolished.

4 thoughts on “Kick the Bishops out of the Lords”

  1. I think your focus here is somewhat misplaced. Who does deserve a place in the House of Lords? Hereditary peers? The Hacks BoJo just elevated to it? I can understand the call to eliminate the House of Lords or turn it into a democratically elected house but picking on the Bishops seems a bit narrow minded. Also you appear to forget that the UK has an established religion. That is why only Anglican Bishops can serve because Anglicanism is the established church headed by the monarch. The rationale for including the Bishops relates to the established church (and historical precedent). Perhaps it would be better to focus on disestablishment.

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    2. Err…the UK is not just England! And actually there are huge issues with having one religion (and actually only one section of that religion) in such a powerful position. The only other country that has clerical leaders in that powerful role is Iran!

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