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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/may/29/god-warning-no-kings-queens
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| When God said let there be no kings or queens | When God said let there be no kings or queens |
| (8 days later) | |
| Peter Wilby rightly criticises the BBC and press for non-stop glorification of the royals and their virtual gag on republicans (Forget the jubilee. Let's have a party for the Magna Carta, 28 May). So who will make a case for a republic? I say Christians should do so. The Old Testament records that God warned his people not to have a king. Jesus refused pressure to be an earthly king and, in my bible reading today, I came across his instruction not to lord it over others but to be servants. Christians should be calling for a republic characterised by democracy, sharing and service – all of which are inconsistent with an unelected, grossly rich and elitist monarchy. Bob Holman Glasgow | Peter Wilby rightly criticises the BBC and press for non-stop glorification of the royals and their virtual gag on republicans (Forget the jubilee. Let's have a party for the Magna Carta, 28 May). So who will make a case for a republic? I say Christians should do so. The Old Testament records that God warned his people not to have a king. Jesus refused pressure to be an earthly king and, in my bible reading today, I came across his instruction not to lord it over others but to be servants. Christians should be calling for a republic characterised by democracy, sharing and service – all of which are inconsistent with an unelected, grossly rich and elitist monarchy. Bob Holman Glasgow |
| • Peter Wilby highlights the requirement by MPs, judges, magistrates, police, armed forces and privy councillors to swear an oath of allegiance. I recently retired after 32 years as a member of industrial and employment tribunals, which a law change has now brought under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice. I was suddenly required, after 31 years in office, to swear an oath of allegiance to Elizabeth Windsor and all her heirs and successors. If I did not take the oath, no more tribunal sittings would be allocated to me. This shows the establishment means every word of the oath and that republicans have no right to serve the community in such posts. I fail to understand why, after long, non-partisan service, I was then required to become partisan on behalf of an unelected, elderly woman. John Geleit Epsom, Surrey | • Peter Wilby highlights the requirement by MPs, judges, magistrates, police, armed forces and privy councillors to swear an oath of allegiance. I recently retired after 32 years as a member of industrial and employment tribunals, which a law change has now brought under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice. I was suddenly required, after 31 years in office, to swear an oath of allegiance to Elizabeth Windsor and all her heirs and successors. If I did not take the oath, no more tribunal sittings would be allocated to me. This shows the establishment means every word of the oath and that republicans have no right to serve the community in such posts. I fail to understand why, after long, non-partisan service, I was then required to become partisan on behalf of an unelected, elderly woman. John Geleit Epsom, Surrey |
| • If I want to enjoy jubilee weekend with a few spliffs, and no adverse effects on anyone, I could be prosecuted. But if I want to drink vast quantities of alcohol, abandon any sense of self-responsibility and become ill or disruptive, I'd be looked after at taxpayers' expense (Field hospitals rolled out for Britain's boozy summer, 26 May). People can consume what they like, but why is it now not only acceptable, but catered for, for people to behave like children and expect others to pay for their self-indulgence? Not so long ago you could be arrested for being drunk and disorderly. G Cooper Matlock, Derbyshire | • If I want to enjoy jubilee weekend with a few spliffs, and no adverse effects on anyone, I could be prosecuted. But if I want to drink vast quantities of alcohol, abandon any sense of self-responsibility and become ill or disruptive, I'd be looked after at taxpayers' expense (Field hospitals rolled out for Britain's boozy summer, 26 May). People can consume what they like, but why is it now not only acceptable, but catered for, for people to behave like children and expect others to pay for their self-indulgence? Not so long ago you could be arrested for being drunk and disorderly. G Cooper Matlock, Derbyshire |
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