Changes

The principal book of worship in Anglican churches is the [[Book of Common Prayer]].  Most churches in England still follow the liturgy set down in it, despite moves to modernize the language - all of which were rejected by the Bishops. The basic summary of Anglican beliefs and practices is the [[Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion]], written by [[Thomas Cramner]] and adopted in 1563. The influence of the Thirty-Nine Articles has declined rapidly since, and the Church has moved gradually farther away from [[Protestantism]] and closer to [[Catholicism]] in recent times, although the decision to admit women as priests is seen by Rome as creating barriers.

The principal book of worship in Anglican churches is the [[Book of Common Prayer]].  Most churches in England still follow the liturgy set down in it, despite moves to modernize the language - all of which were rejected by the Bishops. The basic summary of Anglican beliefs and practices is the [[Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion]], written by [[Thomas Cramner]] and adopted in 1563. The influence of the Thirty-Nine Articles has declined rapidly since, and the Church has moved gradually farther away from [[Protestantism]] and closer to [[Catholicism]] in recent times, although the decision to admit women as priests is seen by Rome as creating barriers.

The Church of England is referred to as the "established church" of England. At the time of the [[American Revolution]], it was a legal requirement in England that all public officials, including university professors, take an oath to uphold the Thirty-Nine Articles of the Church of England. This is what the [[United States Constitution| US Constitution]] is referring to when it says in Article VI that "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States" and in the [[Bill of Rights]] when it says "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."  

The Church of England is referred to as the "established church" of England. At the time of the [[American Revolution]], it was a legal requirement in England that all public officials, including university professors, take an oath to uphold the Thirty-Nine Articles of the Church of England. This is what the [[United States Constitution|US Constitution]] is referring to when it says in Article VI that "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States" and in the [[Bill of Rights]] when it says "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."  

In that context, the word "establishment" originally referred to the Church of England; in the United States during the 1960s, the word came to be used to refer to the social and political groups that were thought to have an analogous influence within the USA.

In that context, the word "establishment" originally referred to the Church of England; in the United States during the 1960s, the word came to be used to refer to the social and political groups that were thought to have an analogous influence within the USA.