The Archbishop said:
“I continue to back calls for a public holiday to mark St George’s Day. I am delighted that this issue is being raised in the House of Commons ”“ and I hope that the Government will consider giving everyone in England a day off to celebrate this wonderful Patron Saint!
“As someone who is inspired by St George’s refusal to renounce his discipleship of Jesus Christ, I have long campaigned for us to have a special holiday where we can celebrate our patron saint and all that is great about our wonderful nation….”
Hear, hear!
They should get St. George’s Day off so they can “drink a pint a beer” and “celebrate all that is great about our wonderful nation.” And this has something to do with St. George how? “71% of Christians” are in favor of this being a day off. What percentage of Christans would show up for a religious service honoring St. George I wonder?
Catholic Mom writes:
[blockquote]They should get St. George’s Day off so they can “drink a pint a beer†and “celebrate all that is great about our wonderful nation.†And this has something to do with St. George how? [/blockquote]
Hmmmm. Well, what does the annual Irish Catholic (etc.) debauch have to do with St. Patrick? Or the Mardi Gras in New Orleans with Pre-Lent? Sad to say, many Catholic peoples (Anglican, Roman and nominal) associate saints days and other religious holidays with binge drinking.
On the other hand, England needs a big, nationalistic shot in the arm these days, along with a spiritual one. They need not necessarily be in opposition to one another.
Saint’s days have been days of celebration for centuries. They were times to relax from the Lord’s and the lord’s labor. When the Reformation eliminated or curtailed them for Protestants it may have helped stimulate the Industrial Revolution, because there were so many days off from work before. By the 19th C, Catholics given only Sunday off came up with the labor holiday known as St. Monday. No wonder saint’s days and heavy drinking joined forces.
Now that I’ve used a cliche, I can address the big, nationalistic, spiritual shot in the arm, and say that’s not where it should be administered to the English. They do need it, too, and if it takes beer to get them interested in their Christian heritage, I’m for it.
“They do need it, too, and if it takes beer to get them interested in their Christian heritage, I’m for it.”
You’ll observe porcine aviators first. One thing the English do not need is increased beer consumption. Stay away from an English town center as the night clubs decant tattooed yobs and semi-naked girls the worse fro drink and ecstasy – not a pretty sight.
Yes, as an Australian I also wish to join in the chorus of those lecturing the English on their drinking habits. Shame on you poms!
We drink beer because we, traditionally, are unsure that the water is safe to drink, but that is small beer compared to what Australians drink.