For those who intend to watch the coronation of King Charles III on Saturday, May 6, they will notice it is wildly different than when his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, ascended to the throne.
Instead of being a strictly Christian event, as King Charles is the head of the Church of England, this will be a coronation of firsts for the monarch who declared himself to be the “defender of the faiths,” as opposed to the “faith” of Christianity.
As reported by the BBC, there are multiple instances where “Charles suggested that he would like to be known as ‘the defender of faith,’ a small but hugely symbolic change from the monarch’s traditional title of ‘defender of the faith,’ meaning Christianity. It’s an important distinction for a man who believes in the healing power of yoga and once called Islam ‘one of the greatest treasuries of accumulated wisdom and spiritual knowledge available to humanity.'”
Diverging from traditional roles is nothing new for King Charles, who has often been at odds with the way the British monarchy has carried itself over the years.
For his coronation, King Charles has invited faith leaders from the major religions in England, including Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh leaders to take an active part in the ceremony.
In another first, female clergy will also play a prominent role in the coronation, along with King Charles saying a prayer out loud.
The heavily criticized Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, claims that the coronation will “recognize and celebrate tradition” but will also include “new elements that reflect the diversity of our contemporary society.”
And there it is—the dog whistle from the archbishop who was rejected by conservative Anglican leaders for his backing of prayers of blessing over same-sex couples.
Is it the job of the leader of the Church of England to promote diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)? Or to uphold the godly tenets of the Bible which do not waver in designation of what God declares morally right or acceptable?
This dedication to the modern leftist movement of DEI is not new for those familiar with Charles, but the change from the traditional “Homage of Peers” during the ceremony is. Whenever a British parliamentarian is sworn into office, they also swear allegiance to the reigning monarch, known as the “Homage of Peers.” Yet this is being done away with according to the Archbishop of Canterbury, and being replaced with the “Homage of the People” in which the archbishop will call on “all persons of goodwill in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and of the other realms and the territories to make their homage, in heart and voice, to their undoubted king, defender of all.”
The order of service will read: “All who so desire, in the abbey, and elsewhere, say together: I swear that I will pay true allegiance to Your Majesty, and to your heirs and successors according to law. So help me God.”
Anti-monarchy groups bristled at the thought of such a presumptuous request, calling it “offensive, tone deaf and a gesture that holds the people in contempt.”
Graham Smith, a spokesman for Republic, an anti-monarchy group planning to protest on the Saturday of the coronation says, “In a democracy, it is the head of state who should be swearing allegiance to the people, not the other way around.”
These changes to the coronation bring with them many questions about the spiritual impact that this ceremony can have worldwide.
Will Charles’ coronation be a blasphemy before God that shuns Christianity for a more universalist approach to faith?
What impact would a spiritually dead monarchy have over the citizenry that was just called upon to swear loyalty not just to the monarch, but his heirs as well?
Is this the first step toward a worldwide religion that many believe would be a step along the path toward acceptance and worship of the Beast, as foretold in Revelation?
With discernment, knowledge and wisdom, many can see that a huge change is coming for the people of Great Britain. Perhaps the biggest question remains, will the change be for the better, or detriment, of the world? {eoa}
James Lasher is Staff Writer for Charisma Media.
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