Is Southwark right ot ban Jeruslem?

Question

I had this hymn played at my mothers funeral becuase she was an active member of the WI an it is their anthem.

Would he have stopped that if her funeral was in Southwark or is it just another attempt to water down English Pride?

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/pressass/20080410/tuk-cathedral-puts-ban-on-jerusalem-6323e80.html

Answer 1

I'm no racist, but we should sing it from the roof tops, after all we live in a christian democratic country and should be proud of it and not apologise for it. Hooray for GB, let us build Jerusalem here there is no better land. That is why so many people want to live here!!!!!!

Answer 2

It seems a bit silly, but I must agree it's not really a hymn.

Answer 3

my late mother also had this at her funeral a wonderful hymn - whatever next I wonder

Answer 4

It's Southwark Catherdrals turf, they say what goes.  If you want that piece of music, vote with your feet and take your business elsewhere.

Answer 5

It makes me so sad, I love that hymn, it is part of being British. I doubt the motives behind the 'real' reason though... Just more do gooding fools causing trouble, when no one was objecting in the first place! Guess I'll give that service a miss!!! Is their mission to drive people away?

Answer 6

The Bishop of Southwark has a reputation of being a drunkard (seriously) have you forgotten his Christmas drink driving episode. Maybe he was out of his mind when he banned the hymn.

I'm with Trish and Seven

ATB Red

Edit Sceptic:  

Are you saying you drink and drive then and when caught give false details. Being partial to a pint doesn't entitle you to do that surly.

Advise; empathise with someone more honest.

Answer 7

It's not really a hymn in that, as the Dean says, it's not a song to the glory of God.

However it seems silly not to allow it to be sung in private memorial services - it just gives ammunition to the "political correctness gone mad" brigade.  The Dean of Southwark has got this one wrong.

Incidentally, the Dean of Southwark, Colin Slee, is a different person to the Bishop of Southwark, Thomas Butler - of  "I'm the Bishop of Southwark, it's what I do" fame.

Still, as a man who likes a drink, it was nice to be able to empathise with a bishop for once.

Answer 8

NO!  As I said in my question , They tried to ban it from football matches some time ago because of the fear of upsetting ethnics so I am with you on this one English pride!

Answer 9

Emerson, Lake and Palmer has the best version of the song I've ever heard.

As far as the ban is concerned I wonder if Israel put any pressure on this guy to do so.

Answer 10

No, it's ridiculous in the extreme.

Answer 11

Terrence deCat hit the nail on the head. If you don't like it, go to another church. That said, why do will still have churches? Are they not better converted into proper affordable housing? Let's stop worshipping false idols, and make better use of the space!

Answer 12

Thats awful its a beautiful hymn.  Why would they ban it?

I know that it is often used as a patriotic song in England but I see no reason to ban it from the cathedral.

As you say, I hope its not a PC-thing.  They seem to be banning anything which inspires national pride these days for fear of offending some minority who probably isn't even bothered!

Answer 13

Its not Southwalk but Southwalk CATHEDRAL.

In their cathedral, they are free to choose what is and isn't played.

Sounds reasonable to me.

Answer 14

That's absurd!  It's a marvellous piece of music and truly inspiring - even to an atheist like myself - when sung by a large crowd.

Answer 15

The dear Dean seems to be a bit of a wan*ker. He's probably on the same wing of the Church of England as Rowan Williams and we all know that he's a sandwich short of a picnic!

Answer 16

Having read the explanation, it seems fair enough to me.

Answer 17

Simply another case of the church wallers thinking they know best, regardless of people's wishes. Then they wonder why attendances fall..........