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zoroaster

May 18 2008, 02:34 AM

I just learned that Queen Elizabeth's full title is as follows:

"Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith."

I think it's a cool and impressive title, but it does raise the following questions in my mind:

1) If the British government is secular, why does the British Head of State's title include the words "by the Grace of God" and "Defender of the Faith"?

2) Which "faith" does the Queen defend?

3) Against what or whom is the Queen "Defender of the Faith"?

4) Specifically how does the Queen defend the "faith" she is the "defender of" per her title?

ai21

May 18 2008, 06:23 AM

QUOTE(zoroaster @ May 18 2008, 06:42 AM)

I think it's a cool and impressive title, but it does raise the following questions in my mind:

1) If the British government is secular, why does the British Head of State's title include the words "by the Grace of God" and "Defender of the Faith"?
2) Which "faith" does the Queen defend?
3) Against what or whom is the Queen "Defender of the Faith"?
4) Specifically how does the Queen defend the "faith" she is the "defender of" per her title?

she defend the church of England.
that's because she's the head of the church of England (formal title: Supreme Governor of the Church of England).

now that raise a good question - can the church be lead by people who don't really believe?
since there is a long tradition of Promiscuous popes, the answer is probably yes.

Harlequin

May 18 2008, 07:43 AM

QUOTE(zoroaster @ May 18 2008, 04:42 AM)

I just learned that Queen Elizabeth's full title is as follows:

"Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith."

I think it's a cool and impressive title, but it does raise the following questions in my mind:

1) If the British government is secular, why does the British Head of State's title include the words "by the Grace of God" and "Defender of the Faith"?

2) Which "faith" does the Queen defend?

3) Against what or whom is the Queen "Defender of the Faith"?

4) Specifically how does the Queen defend the "faith" she is the "defender of" per her title?

It's a historical title handed down from way back. Like many titles, it has no real meaning. Certainly none in this day and age. For a start there is no "Great Britain" anymore, we dropped that name a few years back. I'll put money on it referring to something about Catholic and Church of England.

i am fire,fire,fire,fire

May 18 2008, 01:33 PM

Defender of Protestantism against Catholicism, since the Catholics hated us for not acknowledging the power of Rome (Vatican)

Bob123

May 22 2008, 04:12 PM

Christ is the head of the Church, which is not a denomination but comprises all those who have accepted Him as their personal Saviour.

gill

May 28 2008, 06:19 PM

It goes with the territory, it's part of her job description, she gets well paid for it so turns up when required for media pics. It also gives her great pleasure to see the old man tow the line for a change.

Just look at her during a service, she doesn't listen to the ramblings of the archbishop, she's busy planning her next skit around Sandringham and enjoying the thought of putting the present PM in his place. Bet she loved having Cherie to stay, and even more so when she discovered that Mrs Human Rights hadn't got the nerve to take along her contraceptive device so got pregnant.

Harlequin

May 31 2008, 04:26 PM

QUOTE(gill @ May 28 2008, 08:27 PM)

It goes with the territory, it's part of her job description,

True. I have a mental picture of her now...armed to the teeth, and a burning torch in her hand humming "Onward Christian soldiers" as a Mosque burns.

No...I doubt anyone else can see that either. She's just a member of the landed gentry that got a sort of badge with the job.

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