CofE pulls a Fonzie

Is it possible for an entire religious denomination to jump the shark?

The Church of England is going to find out.

I don't know what's worse: the new prayer itself, or the fact that it has caused web traffic at the CofE's website to spike. What's the conversation that culminates in someone visiting this web site?

"Dear, I've got a bit of a dilemma on my hands."

"What's that, love?"

"I want to pray for the solvency of our financial institutions and easing up of inflationary pressures, because I assume an omniscient deity might not entirely understand how important those issues are to our everyday lives."

"Go ahead and pray, then."

"I'd like to, but I don't want to cock it up." (Blogger's note: I assume that's how British people talk.)

"How's that?"

"I reason I only have one chance at swaying the Almighty, and I want to get it right the first time. If I stutter or wander off-topic he mightn't take me seriously."

"Well, you're in luck, my duck. You recall that we're regular attendees at the Church of England?"

"Too well, I do. Thank God that our beloved Henry VIII brought us out from under the unruly thumb of the Roman Papacy in 1534 AD."

"Yes, that was a close call. At any rate, the same Church of England that Henry VIII established has now provided the very guidance you seek."

"Tell me more!"

"Indeed I shall. Simply visit the moderately holy official website of the Church of England, and you can find the new 'Prayer for the Current Financial Situation.' It's guaranteed to please Our Lord, and has a better than average chance of bringing about the result you desire."

"Outstanding!"

"Yes, but be sure to do it quickly. As the financial situation changes, the exact wording of the prayer may need to be adjusted. Hedge funds alone present such a thorny theological problem that it will take the General Synod some time to determine the most efficient liturgical course of action."

"To Coventry Cathedral!"

So, yeah. I hope you Anglicans are enjoying your crazy-ass Archbishop of Canterbury.

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