A word about Prince Philip and religion
by Charles Moore, Spectator:
[…] …here is a word about Prince Philip and religion. As a boy at Eton from 1969, I was invited to conferences at St George’s House, Windsor. These had been established by the Duke in 1966. They examined religious issues from a non-denominational point of view and attracted distinguished thinkers. They were open-minded and quite groovy. I recall a clergyman playing and expounding Leonard Cohen’s ‘Suzanne’ to us. Perhaps Prince Philip liked its line: ‘He [Jesus] said all men will be sailors then until the sea shall free them.’
In 1982, the Duke sent a copy of a lecture ‘Evolution from Space’, given by the cosmologist Sir Fred Hoyle, to Michael Mann, Dean of Windsor and overseer of St George’s House. This began an exchange of letters eventually published as a short book, A Windsor Correspondence. It reflected Prince Philip’s questioning mind and practical approach. Where Mann is wordier and more theological, the Duke presses on, arguing the compatibility of God and evolution and impatient with the old debate about faith vs works: ‘Frankly I cannot see any criterion for acceptable actions unless they are based on Christ’s teaching which I understand to be intended to benefit future generations. I would prefer to follow his teaching because I am convinced that it is right, rather than a means of getting a better deal in Heaven.’ One can imagine him making this point to St Peter right now, not seeking any special favours, just hoping for the best.
Read here (£)
Please right-click links to open in a new window.
Related Posts
Tags
Share This
