THE BRITISH CONTEXT

This final chapter ends on a more parochial note by considering the ongoing debate surrounding establishment in the United Kingdom. It has been argued already that beyond Christendom a church can exercise a publicly significant role without functioning as an established, state-recognised church. The conclusions of this chapter are thus largely anticipated. Indeed, if some sociological analyses are correct it may even be the case that a church's public contribution today is likely to be greater where its links with the state are kept to a minimum. By functioning as an institution of civil society in partnership with other groups, churches can continue to be significant in more pluralist settings where the state cannot be identified with any one religious party. In any case, citizens in diverse societies prefer to choose their religious identity rather than to have this institutionally prescribed. Where a majority exists outside the national church there will always be awkward criticisms levelled at the political privileging of one religious institution. This inevitably raises issues about the viability of establishment.

Some attention to terminology is required at the outset.