It has been reported in the press that 16% of Anglican clergy are “unclear about God” and 2% are actually straightforward atheists. This puts me in mind of the infamous Anthony Freeman, whose book, God in Us: A Case for Christian Humanism, I read and studied closely as an undergraduate considering full-time ministry many years ago. ‘I do believe in God,’ said the Revd Freeman, ‘and what I believe about him is that he doesn’t exist.’ Or something along those lines.
It seems harsh to say I was heartened by his subsequent discipline and removal from office. But it was good to know there were limits to the breadth of the Church of England. Perhaps this was an aberration, however, with a particularly conservative (and Anglo-Catholic) bishop being responsible for such a common sense policy.
One wonders what would happen today if diocesan authorities discovered one of their clergy was amongst that 2%? Would they freeze with worry about the technicalities of whether they could really insist on belief in an actual God as a ‘genuine occupational requirement under Section 7 (3) of the Employment Equality [Religion and Belief] Regulations 2003’?
I’d be very interested to see more details of the recent statistical research on this subject. How big was the polling sample, for example, and were they all from the House of Bishops? Because the whole subject puts me in mind of the line in Yes Prime Minister: ‘The bench of bishops should have a proper balance – between those who believe in God and those who don’t.’ Although even then, Sir Humphrey realised that outright atheism was unacceptable. ‘An atheist clergyman could not continue to draw his stipend,’ he said, ‘so when they stop believing in God they call themselves “modernists”.’ We should be deeply saddened to hear that from the results of a more recent poll this sort of thing is still going on. But perhaps not entirely surprised.
It would of course be absolutely ridiculous if atheists were employed by the church as ministers. That is akin to the Conservative Party employing Ed Milliband or UKIP employing Mr Barroso. But much more serious. I think the technical theological term for it is ‘bonkers’.
If true, this would be a sad indictment on the complete breakdown of discipline in the Church of England today. Can such a situation be openly tolerated and allowed to continue? The Church is not a mere social club for vague religiosity that can be led by those of all convictions or none. Although I fear that many ‘modernists’ will now declare that the situation is perfectly acceptable, since there have always been practising atheists in the church, and what a lot of very good things they have done for the church over the years…
We must not be afraid to set boundaries of belief and practice. It is loving and kind to our congregations, which need good shepherds who teach the word of truth not time-servers looking for a cosy living – or even wolves. Care is needed when doing that of course. We mustn’t be too restrictive. But atheist priests is several steps too far. Everyone can see that. When will the Church of England stop being a laughing stock to the world by pandering to it, and refusing to uphold its own foundational beliefs?