Antidisestablishmentarianism (/ˌæntidɪsɪˌstæblɪʃmənˈtɛəriənɪzəm/ ⓘ,US also/ˌæntaɪ-/ ⓘ) is the position that astate church (the "established church") should not be disestablished (i.e., be separated from the state).[1][2]
In 19th centuryBritain, it developed as a political movement in opposition todisestablishmentarianism, theLiberal Party's efforts todisestablish or remove theChurch of England as theofficial state church of England,Ireland, andWales. The Church's status has been kept in England, but in Ireland,the Anglican Church of Ireland was disestablished in 1871. In Wales, four Church of Englanddioceses were disestablished in 1920 and became theChurch in Wales. In colonial America, the Church of England was disestablished in six colonies despite its mild popularity in the 1780s; many Anglicans in America began to call themselvesEpiscopalians.[3]
The matter of disestablishment of the Church of England is an ongoing issue, often tied with the position of theMonarchy of the United Kingdom as"Supreme Governor" of the Church (seeAct of Settlement 1701).
British philosopherPhillip Blond, an advocate of the antidisestablishmentarian position, argues that England's having a state church has prevented the country from embracing any sort of ethnic or racial nationalism.[4] Blond has stated that official patronage of theChurch of England has allowed the country to withstand and speak against totalitarian ideologies of the 20th century that were plaguing other parts of the world.[4] He further opined that "Just as we need the church to protect the political, so we need it to protect the idea of civil society."[4] Blond concludes that the "church establishment in England creates a more diverse political and social life, prevents religious extremism and helps to minimise partisan conflict and secular violence."[4]Giles Coren, a British writer, supports antidisestablishmentarianism because it allows all English people to receive meaningfulrites such as marriage.[5]
In April 2014,Nick Clegg, thenDeputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom andLeader of the Liberal Democrats, said that he thought the Church of England and the British state should be separated "in the long run".[6]David Cameron, theprime minister of the United Kingdom at the time, responded to Clegg's comments by stating that the position was "a long-term Liberal idea, but it is not aConservative one", adding that he believed the existence of an established church is beneficial.[6]
Antidisestablishmentarianism means any opposition to the withdrawal of any state support or recognition from any established church.
