So Giles Fraser has quit from St. Paul's. His view of the Church was of peace, of bias to the poor and the right to protest. The view of St. Paul's seems to be of removal, of being in with the capitalistic system and authorities that surround the building. removal is likely to show a level of violence, compulsion certainly. Thus it is a tourist and heritage site with a high price for entry. It's about 'posh' worship then. No one was fooled by the 'health and safety' reasons given for closing the church while the occupation has been taking place.It is another example of the Church looking after its core institutional interest first and last. It's sad but this outcome was predictable. It is a black day in the history of S. Paul's. The rest is just idealism, and of a few individuals like Giles Fraser.
A few minutes after posting this, I added a rhyme on to Facebook:
As I was going by St Paul's
A protester grabbed me by the hand:
He said, "Inside, they miss the tourists they like to fleece,"
"So they are coming to grab us, using the police!"
5 comments:
Adrian, I 'borrowed' your drawing, but I didn't claim it as mine. :-)
Yes, but read the product description of this forthcoming title from Revd Fraser:
http://www.canterburypress.co.uk/books/9781853118807/Confessions-of-a-Reluctant-Capitalist
But actually Jesus was just as hard on those who tried to be religious. I think it would be just as valid to say that the protesters were "worshipping" in a false fashion.
I think the protesters are naive and misguided. Their protest is quite simply a waste of time. If they really want to change things, cut up all credit cards, stop buying starbucks and shop locally.
Any member of the protest group whgo has an overdraft is supporting directly the bankers they protest against!!
Author information for Confessions of a Reluctant Capitalist describes Fraser as "Vicar of Putney", so I doubt that "forthcoming" is the appropriate adjective.
Press reporting about Starbucks was just a press smear. This Jesus - would he be the same one who observed at the Temple as would any good Jew?
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