New Briefing Urges End To Bishops In House of Lords

The British Humanist Association yesterday released a new briefing paper titled Religious Representatives in the House of Lords. It argues:

The presence of Church of England in the House of Lords entrenches a privileged position for one particular branch of one particular religion that cannot be justified in today’s society, which is not only multi-faith but increasingly nonreligious.It is at odds with the aspiration of a more legitimate and representative second chamber and with recognition of a plural society.

According to BHA, a recent poll in Britain found that 74% of people think it is "wrong" for Bishops to be given an automatic seat in the Lords, and 48% say it is not important for Church of England Bishops to have seats at all. Community Newswire reports on the poll.