Nigel Jones

The end of the Church of England

Why I found myself, a confirmed agnostic, defending the faith

  • From Spectator Life

I spent New Year’s Eve in the company of a former Anglican vicar who lost his faith and had the honesty to resign from the Church as a result. He said what I have long suspected; that almost none of those in the hierarchy of the Church today believe in the central tenets of their faith: the divinity of Christ, the Virgin Birth, the Resurrection of the dead, the miracles of Jesus, the Trinity, Heaven and Hell, life after death, or even a benevolent God.

To be told that the guardians of that faith are today little more than hollowed-out hypocrites going through the ritualistic motions is a tad dispiriting

In the end, I, an agnostic who tries to keep an open mind about Christianity, found myself arguing with the former clergyman’s new faith in atheism. I pointed out the enormous power of faith, which has continued burning in dark times for two millennia.

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