"Don't get that. Politics is what they do in Parliament."
Sending young man to their deaths in wartime is a political act.
The Church's role in establishing and securing the colonies was a political act
In 2012, the Church of England bishops brought about the defeat of a government bill capping benefits - certainly not a bad thing, as far as I'm concerned, but questions were raised as to whether it was appropriate for them to be able to wield such power
A quote from the Church of England's own site:
"26 bishops of the Church of England sit in the House of Lords. Known as the Lords Spiritual, they read prayers at the start of each daily meeting and play a full and active role in the life and work of the Upper House."
"Evidence please ?"
Also from the Church of England's own site:
"Christian religious leaders have had an active role in the legislative affairs of the country since before the formation of the Church of England. Prior to the 11th century feudal landlords and religious leaders were regularly consulted by Saxon kings."
"red herring."
Prove it
"The explanation can be founn in Howard Jones' first post."
Howard argued for a Second House - he most certainly didn't provide evidence of why an appointed bunch of elderly, exclusively male, largely misogynistic mystics should play any part in that Second House (even if you accepted the need for an unelected body capable of blocking Government policy).
While it is true that many churchmen are humanistic and progressive in their attitudes and have in some cases made a magnificent contribution to some aspects of our lives, the hierarchy is traditionally reactionary and has backed the state in some of its worst excesses.
The danger of religious interference in State affairs is to be seen at its worst in some of the Catholic Countries, where they have thrown their weight behind dictators like Franco and Pinochet and have blocked (or attempted to) on homosexuality, contraception, pregnancy termination (and even the playing of music - notably Jazz and traditional music, in the case of Ireland.   
One of the greatest threats to humanity today are the Holy Wars taking place throughout the world, involving all of the major religions.
I get a little tired of suggesting that religion and politics is a toxic mix -it seems so obvious as to be unnecessary to point that out -obviously not!
Jim Carroll