In a question and answer session at the end of a densely theological lecture on the nature of the individual, organised by the religion think tank Theos, Dr Williams admitted some of his statements, which have touched controversially on issues from the Iraq war to government economic policies, were risky.
He said: “I just don’t think that it will do to be too cautious in a job like this, you are here, as is true for any archbishop, you are here to try and say what you believe you have been given to say – by which I don’t mean by divine inspiration.
“To try and share a particular picture of what the world is like, what God is like, which of course leads you into sometimes risky and anything but infallible judgments about particular issues of the day.”
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Anglicans, generally speaking, should have Muslims way down on the list of things to sweat (except for those who might work in very tall buildings).
The ABC had bigger things to worry about, from an Anglican perspective, than Sharia law *anywhere* much less in Great Britain.
#1, there are Anglicans in Africa and South Asia who have to worry a great deal about Muslims. And I wouldn’t be too sanguine about immunity in the UK. The tube bombing, remember.
“I just don’t think that it will do to be too cautious in a job like this,”… unless of course it involves church discipline and the loss of American dollars as a consequence or maintaining Christian teaching on human sexuality.
There are many who say that it is American dollars that keep the Anglican Communion Office afloat, and I think they’re right, so perhaps it is this which has been on ++Williams’ mind during his time at Lambeth Palace, and it is also probable that this is one of the reasons why he has been so reluctant to rock the boat in his relations with TEC. Unfortunately, this has affected all of us in the Communion and those of us who would be in the Communion, were it not for TEC’s obstinacy in telling us that we’re not welcome. ++Williams has a lot more to be regretful for than just his Sharia intervention.
Agree #2, meant for my post to convey that concern is warranted as an issue of personal safety, beyond that there are other fish to fry. If capitulation is the answer to the safety issue then the ABC probably has/had the answer.
Archbishops of any ilk are poorly equipped to address matters of national security from terrorists groups.
#5, thanks, I can certainly agree. Archbishops in general are poorly equipped to handle national security and economics. What I wish is that Dr. Williams had tried harder to deal with foundational faith issues.