England

[Michelina]

Further, if people from England are referred to as English, people from the UK are referred to as what?

Ukes*, for short. Or ukeleles*. Those little guitars in Hawaii are named after them, because ukes from Liverpool invented them.





*Pronounced yooks and yook-eh-lail-eez

 

[benedictine]

Or Brits.

 

[Michelina]

Ukes, for short. Or ukeleles. Those little guitars in Hawaii are named after them, because ukes from Liverpool invented them.

Okay, I'm sorry. It just popped into my head. I guess I watch too much zany British TV.

 

[Markh]

lol

Well, I think the reason we do not have a word is because the UK is a state rather than a country and is a fairly recent invention.

The state refered to as the "UK" is made up of "Great Britian" (which is the word to describe Wales, Scotland and England together) and "Northern Ireland"

 

[xxRachaelxx]

England is mostly Anglican,

i dont know one anglican

 

[TomUK]

I don't know one [Roman] Catholic! CofE is the biggest denomination in England though, fact.

 

[Axion]

There is talk about Tony Blair converting, but I think he publicly said that he wouldn't be pushing for a change in the "no-Catholic" laws.

The Anti-Catholic laws were brought in after William of Orange (Ian Paisley's hero) came to power in 1688. This is because two British Kings, Charles II, and James II, had converted to Catholicism, threatening the protestant ascendancy.

The Church of England is the nominal religion of most English people, but very few ever darken the door of a church except for Weddings and Funerals (and sometimes Christenings). Among active churgoers, Anglicans and Catholics are about equal at about 1,000,000 each per week.

The Church of England is seen as irrelevant by many since it rarely speaks out on any issue, having a long tradition of silence as a state church. On embryo research, last month, the C of E was criticized for not speaking out, and leaving the objections to be made by the Catholics.

In Scotland the official Church is the Church of Scotland, which is not Anglican, but Presbyterian.

Catholics in Britain are from three sources.
1. Old Catholics, who survived the Reformation and penal laws, practising their faith in secret. Largely from Northern England and Western Scotland. (One small Scottish Island, South Uist, managed to escape the Reformation entirely, because of its isolation, and remains almost 100% catholic). There are also a few aristocratic old Catholics, like the Dukes of Norfolk, who were rich or powerful enough to avoid persecution.

2. Immigration. Largely Irish from 1800, and other European.

3. Conversion. From 1840 onward, a steady stream of conversions from rich and poor, which tended to slow dramatically around 1960 - when Catholic teaching became confused.

And now for something completely different...

OKay, I know this is a dumb question, but please humor me.

What exactly is the difference between England and the UK?

Further, if people from England are referred to as English, people from the UK are referred to as what?

The UK is the United Kingdom of England Scotland, Wales and (Northern) Ireland. Additionally there are islands such as the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, that aren't officially part of England, but are part of the United Kingdom.

Great Britain is the United Kingdom minus Ireland and some islands.

People from the UK are officially Citizens of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Unofficially they are British, or Britons, (even "brits", but never "Britishers".)

 

[Markh]

I don't know one [Roman] Catholic! CofE is the biggest denomination in England though, fact.

Biggest in terms of baptism, but in terms of bums on pews, they are behind Catholicism- which is shocking considering that we are about 8% of population and they are some enomrmous percentage.

 

[Cat59]

Further, if people from England are referred to as English, people from the UK are referred to as what?

Well, this particular person from the UK is known as Welsh.....I rarely use the term British, although it is an acceptable way of describing my (legal) nationality.

 

[TomUK]

but practicing, devout Anglicans, I doubt they even exist at all now

What on earth are you talking about?!

 

[Albion]

Biggest in terms of baptism, but in terms of bums on pews, they are behind Catholicism- which is shocking considering that we are about 8% of population and they are some enomrmous percentage.

Basically, we do know Anglicans, they are all around us- but practicing, devout Anglicans, I doubt they even exist at all now.

And if they do, they are normally in their local RCIA program.

The answer to that might depend upon which nation is being focused upon, but I know both Catholics and Anglicans and find the latter to be more devout. This might also explain why in Britain a higher percentage of Roman Catholics (although smaller in absolute numbers than Anglicans) appear on Sunday. If one is taught that not to do so is a mortal sin and that salvation requires being absolved of that sin before dying, that is a strong inducement to attend Mass, something that should not be confused with devotion.

 

[Paul S]

The answer to that might depend upon which nation is being focused upon, but I know both Catholics and Anglicans and find the latter to be more devout. This might also explain why in Britain a higher percentage of Roman Catholics (although smaller in absolute numbers than Anglicans) appear on Sunday. If one is taught that not to do so is a mortal sin and that salvation requires being absolved of that sin before dying, that is a strong inducement to attend Mass, something that should not be confused with devotion.

But if certain Catholics are attending Mass out of a fear of committing mortal sin and going to hell, that shows they believe in sin and hell and what the Church teaches. It's not the best motive - love of God is far better - but it's good enough to keep you out of hell. And maybe over time, all that going to Mass will start to become devotion.

 

[Albion]

Yes, it does suggest that they want to avoid hell...and it suggests that they believe there is one. But it doesn't specifically make them more devout than Christians who are not motivated by fear. I agree that maybe in time obligation will develop into devotion. Maybe. For the present, however, comparing one church's people's devotion with another's on the basis of attendence at worship is not a reliable way to go about it.

 

[benedictine]

Tom, we're becoming a remnent in England.

 

[Michelina]

Well, this particular person from the UK is known as Welsh.....I rarely use the term British, although it is an acceptable way of describing my (legal) nationality.

That's what I would say if I were Welsh and the same would apply if I were English or Scottish. I would hate to see the loss of these ancient cultures. (And the Welsh love of music and song is a great treasure. If memory serves, they helped out a chap named Luciano ...something.)

 

[Dominus Fidelis]

It doesnt feel very Catholic at all to me. In fact, all of our cool churches were taken over by the Protestants and we were given the little ones.

 

[garydench]

It doesnt feel very Catholic at all to me. In fact, all of our cool churches were taken over by the Protestants and we were given the little ones.

Yes, and it's my own belief that all Churches built before the start of the reign of Elizabeth I should be returned to the Catholic Church.

I must disagree with the comment made earlier about social justice. The Church in England and Wales has it spot on in promoting that issue. The Church is after all there for the benefit of those who are not necessarily its members.

We just need to see some that zeal when it comes to liturgy, and in improving standards of music and architecture. For example, many Catholic churches in England look like factories, and Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral looks like a big funnel!

 

[Steph2012]

Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral looks like a big funnel!

Awe no! In my opinion The Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, (or the "Wigwam" if you`re a local!) is one of the most amazing and beautiful Churches I`ve seen. The Crown of Thorns design is striking and insperational, and it can be seen from across the City. I know it sounds silly, but during the day it`s great to be able to look up and see it.
Sorry...

 

[garydench]

Ahh, see I don't like the circular design at all. I prefer the traditional tranceptual church designs.

 

[benedictine]

I don't like circular churches either.