'Today we give thanks to Almighty God for a great deliverance': confident public Christianity on the 80th anniversary of VE Day
Dear friends, we have come together on this day to commemorate the anniversary of Victory in Europe. We come together conscious of our need for God’s forgiveness for the sin and the desire to dominate others that leads to conflict between people, and war between nation ... We gather joyfully today, as those who gathered on that first Victory day, glad of each other's company, and grateful for the laughter and love that follows times of sadness and loss Such is the sterile, flat and distinctly uninspiring introduction to the Church of England's ' Outline Service for VE Day '. If this was not bad enough, there are the suggestions for the prayers - written by someone who appears to have been absolutely determined not to acknowledge the need for victory over Nazi Germany: Prayers may include the following: - an expression of sorrow for the atrocities of war; - that former enemies may be forgiven, - that we may be freed from feelings of fear, revenge,...