[Tom4784]

Americans put too much weight on the 'power' of the Royal Family, any power they possess is purely symbolic and like others have said in the thread the royals are merely figureheads for tourists to go mad over. The Queen's titles haven't had any significant meaning since long before we were all born.

You can't really bemoan us for an old system that has lost all relevance in today's world when in America for someone to stand a decent chance of getting elected President they have to be Christian. I'd say that's more of an issue then a figurehead institution.

[lily.]

I'm personally not a fan of the Royals.

I'm not a fan of anything to do with religion either, so a lot of things would change in both countries if it were up to me.

[arista]

Originally Posted by Liberty4eva

I'm not religious but it's a bit rich of some people here to call the US "backwards" for being more religious than most. Isn't the Queen supposed to be like the head of the UK's official state religion? From what I understand she is, in theory, supposed to get her power to govern the peasants by the will of god. Until you guys scrap this disgusting royal family (with all its wealth that it never earned) it's a bit hypocritical for you to bemoan the US for not being atheist enough or call us "backwards". At least we don't maintain and take pride in a system that belongs in medieval times.

I'm proud to say the United States was founded by deists, the 18th century equivalent of atheists. All the founding documents were written by and the first few presidents were secularists. Thomas Jefferson practically defines what America is supposed to believe and he was one of the most skeptical of religion and certainly was not a Christian.

But if you were here
you would know she is not active as a Leader of the Church.


And in any case
There is no God .

[Omah]

Originally Posted by jedward fever

No but London is the only interesting place in this country for tourists to visit because of its royal family background.

Totally untrue :

Heritage Cities in England

Bath: A spa town, famous for its Regency architecture and crescents, and also for its Roman baths.
Brighton: Brighton is a seaside resort which includes two piers, West Pier and Brighton Pier, and is home to the Royal Pavilion.
Bristol: Brunel's The Clifton Suspension Bridge is a famous landmark, and the ship, the SS Great Britain is another of Brunel's famous constructions, which is now in dry dock in Bristol.
Cambridge: A famous university town.
Canterbury: Renowned for its cathedral.
Dover: A major port with access to the continent. Also well known for its white cliffs, and to a lesser extent for its castle, Dover Castle.
Haworth: where the Brontë Sisters lived, is very popular with Japanese tourists, as Wuthering Heights has a cult following in Japan.
Lincoln: A medieval city, home to the very ornate Lincoln Cathedral and to Lincoln Castle, where a copy of the Magna Carta is kept.
Liverpool: The 2008 European Capital of Culture, a major port and World Heritage Site, home to two cathedrals and houses more listed buildings, museums and art galleries than any other city in the UK outside of London. The home of Liverpool F.C, a world-famous football club. Is also famous for The Grand National, and its musical, maritime and sporting heritage.
Oxford : A city known for its university, the University of Oxford.
Nottingham : The city and Nottingham Castle are famed worldwide for their links with the legend of Robin Hood. Sherwood Forest is nearby.
Portsmouth: Portsmouth is a naval dockyard, and has some famous ships on display, including the Mary Rose, and HMS Victory, all within its Historic Dockyard. Also home to Gunwharf Quays retail centre, with its iconic Spinnaker Tower.
Salisbury: Salisbury cathedral is very well known, and has the tallest spire in the country. Nearby is the pre-historic site of Stonehenge, which is administered by English Heritage.
Stratford-upon-Avon: The birthplace of William Shakespeare is probably the most visited place in Stratford.
York: Famous for the York Minster cathedral. Also the location of the National Railway Museum and a wealth of preserved medieval streets and buildings, such as the Merchant Adventurers' Hall and the Shambles.

Other places in England are also of historical interest. The city of Manchester is the second most visited city in England after London.[1] Many foreign tourists also visit the neighbouring countries Scotland and Wales – see tourism in Scotland and tourism in Wales.

Domestic tourists, and foreign tourists who have specific interests in art, music, history etc., also visit the following:
Birmingham: A major city, with an orchestra, major exhibition venues (NEC, ICC) and art galleries. Of historical interest for its significant role in the industrial revolution, the childhood home and inspiration of Tolkien, noted for its shopping and boasting the longest stretch of nightclubs in England.
Hadrian's Wall: The Roman wall built in Northumberland by order of the Emperor Hadrian.
Hereford: A cathedral city, famous for the chained library in the cathedral, and the Mappa Mundi
Ironbridge: The cradle of the industrial revolution and the site for the legendary Iron bridge.
Manchester: A major city, famous for the Hallé orchestra and many museums and art galleries, a classic example of Victorian era architecture. Also well known for the Manchester Ship Canal. The city is home to the world famous Manchester United F.C., and Manchester City F.C. - the world's richest football club. The host city of the 2002 Commonwealth Games. Manchester is also known for being the world's first industrialised city, and is well noted for its shopping, cuisine and nightlife.

See also :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism...ional_visitors

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by Dezzy

Americans put too much weight on the 'power' of the Royal Family, any power they possess is purely symbolic and like others have said in the thread the royals are merely figureheads for tourists to go mad over. The Queen's titles haven't had any significant meaning since long before we were all born.

umm, then what's the point of it all?? we're just waiting to hear an explaination...???

[Tom4784]

Originally Posted by lostalex

umm, then what's the point of it all?? we're just waiting to hear an explaination...???

There isn't really a point to it, it's just there out of tradition really and because the Royals are a profitable business.

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by lostalex

umm, then what's the point of it all?? we're just waiting to hear an explaination...???

Tradition. The Royal Family no longer have the power they once had in years gone by but are still there as tradition and symbolism.
And can I ask, why enter into a debate like this when you have no idea of the facts? If you needed an explanation you should have asked for it in the first place.

On another note, I'll be all for abolishment if Charles becomes King and takes that Camilla woman as Queen. lol

[SoBig]

I actually agree with the OP. No point in having the Royal Family anymore. They have no real power. Its like having a moving statue.

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by 08marsh

Tradition. The Royal Family no longer have the power they once had in years gone by but are still there as tradition and symbolism.
And can I ask, why enter into a debate like this when you have no idea of the facts? If you needed an explanation you should have asked for it in the first place.

On another note, I'll be all for abolishment if Charles becomes King and takes that Camilla woman as Queen. lol

but what does it symbolize and what is the tradition based on if you really ackowledge history?

The idea that some people are genetically superior to others? Surelly you see how that is offensive to some people. The first born male, First of all it's racist, because everyone of the royals is white, Second, it's homophobic because if any royal male falls inlove with another man, they'd have to abdicate the thrown, Third, it's prejudice against religions, because the royal is REQUIRED to be the head of the Anglican church.

So an institution that is so discriminatory on SO many levels, how do they get away with it?? It's incredible.

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by SoBig

I actually agree with the OP. No point in having the Royal Family anymore. They have no real power. Its like having a moving statue.

Except the OP's point wasn't that the Royal Family was pointless but religious. She/He got confused over how powerful the Royals are. Comparing it to the US President, who has to be a Christian.

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by 08marsh

Except the OP's point wasn't that the Royal Family was pointless but religious. She/He got confused over how powerful the Royals are. Comparing it to the US President, who has to be a Christian.

Well the Queen is the equivalent of the US president.

The Prime Minister of the UK is not equivilent to the President of the USA, the Equivelent in the USA to the Prime Minister is the Speaker of the House of Representitives, which at this time is John Beohner. He is the leader of the majority party in the House of Representivites(the republicans), just as David Cameron is the leader of the majority party in the House of Commons(the conservatives). ...yes i know he has a coalition, but i don't need to explain that complex arrangement, do I???

Obama is equal to the Queen, not the Prime Minister.

[arista]

"Well the Queen is the equivalent of the US president."


She can not Fire Nukes
like your Leader can.


You have it Wrong
if you were here - you would know

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by lostalex

but what does it symbolize and what is the tradition based on if you really ackowledge history?

The idea that some people are genetically superior to others? Surelly you see how that is offensive to some people. The first born male, First of all it's racist, because everyone of the royals is white, Second, it's homophobic because if any royal male falls inlove with another man, they'd have to abdicate the thrown, Third, it's prejudice against religions, because the royal is REQUIRED to be the head of the Anglican church.

So an institution that is so discriminatory on SO many levels, how do they get away with it?? It's incredible.

Most religious people tend to inherit their beliefs or religion from family. So, if the Royals are a part of the Church of England then their children will be raised with it.

On homophobia, there's been rumours about certain people's sexuality in the royal family lol but if they abdicate the throne passes down. Monarch's have abdicated in the past, such as Edward when he fell in love with a divorced woman. That was against the "rules" so he gave up his position. That's how the current Queen came to the throne.

I think the "first born male" rule is changing, so it would be eldest child. The most you could say is sexist, not racist.

The Royals are all white because if white people have sex you tend to have white children.

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by arista

"Well the Queen is the equivalent of the US president."


She can not Fire Nukes
like your Leader can.


You have it Wrong
if you were here - you would know

can the PM fire nukes then in the UK? a PM like Gordon Brown who was never even elected to be the PM???

Let's take a time out now to think about all of the PM's in UK history who were not elected by the people, but have so much power. They were only CHOSEN by their own cronies in their own parties. Is that democracy??

No one in the UK ever elected Gordon Brown as yur PM, but he was your PM for years.

[lostalex]

Why should someone have to abdicate the throne just because they are homosexual? Why can't an adoptive child be part of the family?

[arista]

Originally Posted by lostalex

can the PM fire nukes then in the UK? a PM like Gordon Brown who was never even elected to be the PM???

Let's take a time out now to think about all of the PM's in UK history who were not elected by the people, but have so much power. They were only CHOSEN by their own cronies in their own parties. Is that democracy??

No one in the UK ever elected Gordon Brown as yur PM, but he was your PM for years.

Brown was just a temp Stooge - he was doomed


Yes David can Fire from his Nuke Subs
if needed

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by lostalex

can the PM fire nukes then in the UK? a PM like Gordon Brown who was never even elected to be the PM???

Let's take a time out now to think about all of the PM's in UK history who were not elected by the people, but have so much power. They were only CHOSEN by their own cronies in their own parties. Is that democracy??

No one in the UK ever elected Gordon Brown as yur PM, but he was your PM for years.

If Obama died then Joe Biden would be President, who elected him?

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by lostalex

Why should someone have to abdicate the throne just because they are homosexual? Why can't an adoptive child be part of the family?

Can be a part of the family, but not inherit the throne.

That's like grabbing someone off the street and saying "You want to be Queen?". It's called a "blood" line for a reason.

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by MTVN

If Obama died than Joe Biden would be President, who elected him?

The American epople knew Joe Biden was his VP when they Elected Obama, it's not a surprise.


The VP IS ELECTED BY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE JUST LIKE THE PRESIDENT, WHICH IS WHY OBAMA WON PARTLY, opps, caps, sorry, but yea, part of the reason Obama won is because Sarah Palin was McCains's VP and Americans were scared of the idea of her taking over since McCain was so old.

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by 08marsh

Can be a part of the family, but not inherit the throne.

That's like grabbing someone off the street and saying "You want to be Queen?". It's called a "blood" line for a reason.

so you believe the Windsor bloodline is superior to everyone elses bloodlines?? seriously???

That is by far the most racist thing ive ever heard anyone say.

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by lostalex

so you believe the Windsor bloodline is superior to everyone elses bloodlines?? seriously???

Superior? It's inherited.

Would you rather your grandmother's house and belongings passed down to her descendants or was put up for auction for other's to take.

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by lostalex

The American epople knew Joe Biden was his VP when they Elected Obama, it's not a surprise.


The VP IS ELECTED BY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE JUST LIKE THE PRESIDENT, WHICH IS WHY OBAMA WON PARTLY, opps, caps, sorry, but yea, part of the reason Obama won is because Sarah Palin was McCains's VP and Americans were scared of the idea of her taking over since McCain was so old.

Mmm so Americans had a lot of choice over who would be Obamas Vice President did they? He was only elected to that role by default after being picked by Obama himself

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by lostalex

That is by far the most racist thing ive ever heard anyone say.

That word is so misused it's untrue. It's not "racist" in the slightest. This is Britain, we're all British. One race.

I think I understand what you're trying to say, but racism is the wrong description.

And it's not an issue in the modern world because the Royal's don't have the power they once did. If they did, then I'm sure some would take issue.

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by 08marsh

That word is so misused it's untrue. It's not "racist" in the slightest. This is Britain, we're all British. One race.

I think I understand what you're trying to say, but racism is the wrong description.

And it's not an issue in the modern world because the Royal's don't have the power they once did. If they did, then I'm sure some would take issue.

If they don't have power then what's the point? You say they are just tourist attractions like Mickey mouse at disney world, so what makes them qualified to be entertainers? The propaganda is also ridiculous, watching the british media drool over prince william in a helicopter, ,looks more like russian propaganda over Putin. It's disgraceful.

[arista]

Originally Posted by 08marsh

Superior? It's inherited.

Would you rather your grandmother's house and belongings passed down to her descendants or was put up for auction for other's to take.

You are Real Kind
Spending Time giving out
Education and History Lessons.



10 Outta 10 for 08marsh