"Why make a big deal of the obvious"
That implies the will of the establishment to remove them - which does not exist
They are there democratically, and they cannot be removed democratically.
They serve no purpose other than to keep us in our place, so, at the very least, they should be prepared to explain themselves.
This only involves Keith inasmuch as he states that Christians have no need to make their case - they do if it involves our lives.
Personally, I have no interest in Keith's opinions on the matter - we could have given it before he put finger to keyboard.
"How has so much reform already been achieved Jim?"
Often through centuries of struggle and hardship on the part of those who would bring about such changes.
This should nit be necessary with something about as valid as bear-baiting - the Church serves no purpose in government - unless you can show us how it does, of course.
There are plenty of examples of how it has proved a threat and an instrument of oppression - many as recent as The Magdelene Laundries and the child abuse scandal.
"so we may be lucky to have it."
Then you, like Keith, are free to show us how exactly.
A pretty fair summing up
And another
"God given" duty to interfere
There are plenty of examples of the church working to keep us a century or so behind the times - Gay marriage and pregnancy termination among them
Jim Carroll