Should Prince Charles Refer To Himself As 'Defender of the Faiths'.?

Question

Prince Charles has let it be known that he wishes to be called the 'defender of the faiths' instead of just 'defender of the faith' which monarchs have been called since the time of Henry VIII.

Do you think that his wish to defend all faiths (and not just christianity) is a good idea?

Answer 1

This is complete nonsense!

The reason why Henry VIII was given the title 'defender of the faith' by the Pope was because Henry had allegedly written a pamphlet denoucing Martin Luther and his heretical beliefs.

However, Henry did not write this pamphlet, Thomas More did, and anyway the Pope rescinded the title 'defender of the faith' a couple of years later when Henry abandoned the catholic church and set up the Church of England so that he could marry Anne Boleyn.

Monarchs since Henry VIII have therefore been calling themselves the 'defender of the faith' without any justification because none of them (apart from bloody Mary Tudor) actually defended the catholic faith.

Pure nonsense and humbug!!!

Answer 2

I'd actually not heard about that, but as a quick response I'd say it sounds like a really bad idea and could get a lot of peoples backs up since I presume he himself has just the one faith, that being the case, and if he feels the need to defend anything, then surely it should be only his own.

Answer 3

I thought the title 'Defender of the Faith' came directly from the British monarch's direct role in the Anglican faith.

As far as I know, no other religion has bestowed such guardianship upon the British throne.

Simply assuming such a title, presumably in an attempt at multi-cultural political correctness, is actually a statement of hubris and paternalism of the highest order.

It would be like insisting that everyone call you "World's Greatest Dad" after having been bestowed a coffee mug saying as such by your children. Your own children may consider you that way, but presuming authority over everyone else's children based on that gift is pretty frikkin arrogant.

Answer 4

I think that Prince Charles should be "Defender of Faiths" when or if he becomes King. The Church of England does not require the monarch to be the head of the church, the Archbishop of Canterbury can take this position.

Answer 5

When he is king he can be called whatever he wants!


He will be head of the Anglican Church, but not any other religious body, so it is a bit twee.

I am wondering if Brenda is going to have a series of good long talks with William over the next few years to get him ready for the monarchy to skip a generation. At 25 now he is almost as old as she was when she took the throne and it would be a few years yet before she would even consider giving it up.

We will have to wait and see.

Answer 6

Hi,

Prince Charles, in the unfortunate position of being 'next in line' yet not really expecting to inherit the title of 'king' (female royals have a nororiously long life span, historically) has been left in the position of needing to shout to make his voice heard over the years.

Many people ridicule him, citing his habit of talking to his plants, etc. I don't-I think he is a caring man who would make a very worthy successor to his mother (who is hardly the most pleasing personality around)

That he has thought about the meaning of the chanted 'beliefs' inherent in the title show he still cares about people and really does have thoughts which could and should concern us all.

The 'defender of the faith' title, dating from the times of Henry 8th., was originally and has continually referred to the Church of England faith started by Henry, who wished to distance himself from the strict marital requirements of the earlier faith.

That it was a very personal change is hardly in doubt, and most people in England realise that the change in religion from the original 'Church of Rome' faith, was brought about purely because Henry wished to divorce himself from a childless marriage. (later, of course, he realised that execution was a more effective form of divorce and (paradoxically) carried less of an embarrassing stigma.

Prince Charles himself, of course, was divorced and this may have affected his view of the 'rights' of marriage for the royals. But whatever his view he is stating, quite clearly, that he intends (if he ever gets the chance) to defend the rights of ALL followers of ANY religious faith. This is in accordance with the avowed 'beliefs' of successive governments and the general public viewpoint.

I believe this is a good thing and may remove the discrimination which is still prevalent in many sectors of the British public.

I say good luck to him, long may he reign and the sooner the better! Though the queen has behaved impeccably throughout ther long reign her sour face and miserable demenour dfoes not give the best impression of Britain and its life to foreigners. She should wrapp up her headscarves, wipe the scowl from her face and retire to some idyllic spot for the rest of her life, unobserved by us, unseen by the general public and well out of our thoughts and life.

Long live Charles 3rd.

BobSpain (a long-time royalist, now disillusioned by too many years of sour faced public images of the throne.)

Answer 7

Am I missing something, Prince Charles is Christian [ I think] He is British, His ancestors are all Christians, He should stand by his convictions, and say categorically I am Christian,' Therefore I stand for Christianity defender of my country religious beliefs, Not to parley with other religious, clerics, to appease them, 'Yes' show respect to other faiths, but don't capitulate your heritage.

Answer 8

I am not against other religions/beliefs..but i think others stand up for their religion, and rightly so.. Prince Charles should stand up and be defender of The Faith; Christianity....
We are a Christian country..and believe we must remain so.....my humble opinion... : x )
Shalom

Answer 9

To claim he wants to be defender of faiths, is admiting he has failed in defending 'The Faith.'

Answer 10

The main faiths are mutually exclusive. Charles is a wishy-washy old fool.