Defender of Faith Healing

Reader James reminded me about Prince Charles’ desire (recently criticized) to be "Defender of Faith" rather than "Defender of the Faith" (ie the Christian and specifically non-Roman Catholic faith), as previous monarchs have been obliged to swear.

Of course, “faith” means “belief although there is no evidence to support that belief”, and often (as I think Richard Dawkins put it), belief even in the teeth of contradictory evidence. It basically means you believe in superstitions, or are credulous. I guess “defender of credulity” wouldn’t sound so good, even if technically accurate. But we have known for a while that Brian believes in many things not supported by evidence: homeopathy (in fact all sorts of quackery), and astrology spring to mind. Now he wants to make it official. Good for him! Although, based on his support for therapies that don’t work, I suggest “Defender of Faith Healing” would be a better title. Perhaps I’ll email the Archbishop of Canterbury and see what he thinks.

Incidentally, if I recall my history correctly, “Defender of the Faith” originally meant “Defender of the Roman Catholic Faith”, until Henry VIII took the title to mean “Defender of the non-Roman Catholic Faith”. Henry had problems with wives surplus to requirements, and he had a novel way of getting a divorce from the first one – he started his own religion. Perhaps Charles wants to emulate Henry: see Prince Charles- "My Twin Passions, Homeopathy and Infidelity." Now it begins to make sense (sort of).

Homeopathy works! No, really.

Comments

[beepbeepitsme]

No one said royal families were smart. Though it is an advantage if you are a royal, to be smart enough to hang onto your head.

[G. Tingey]

Actually, you have picked a picture of a therapy that DOES work.
MORE BEER!

And, of course C. Wales has also supported worthwhile causes, via the Princes' trust in sustainable development, good food, local self-help organisations, and livable-in buildings and architecture, as opposed to depressing all-concrete blocks.

Some you win, some you lose .....

[kewenay]

Sorry to be a stickler, but Henry VIII didn't start a new religion. Martin Luther did that. Henry remained Catholic, although not Roman Catholic, pretty much until the end of his life, if I remember my A level history rightly.
And when it comes to being Defender of faith, I reckon Charles has a point. The western world lacks faith. We've all become way too cynical and that doesn't make us happy. I'd defend faith too, if I believed in it. But I don't, because I'm too cynical.

[Bronze Dog]

I'm not cynical: I don't have any reason to doubt that Prince Charles is being sincere about his motivations.

Of course, he's still stupid.

[Zeno]

You're right, Skeptico. Henry VIII was given the title "Defensor Fidei" by Pope Leo X in recognition of a book the king wrote in defense of the seven sacraments (and papal supremacy). It was aimed at the attacks on Catholicism by Martin Luther. The title was revoked by a later pope when Henry broke with Rome, but British monarchs have continued to use it, now in defense of Anglicanism (the Church of England).

[Eric]

Y'know, if Charles really believes in homeopathy, he could save himself a few pounds by taking that one beer and diluting it thousands of times. I'm sure he'll get just as drunk from a pint of water with a molecule of beer in it, right?

We've already tried it on this side of the Atlantic, it's called "Budweiser."