Antidisestablishmentarianism

This big word was invented in England in 1838, but it could apply to what we are dealing with today.

The Church of England was created by King Henry XVIII in 1534 AD. England had been a Catholic country, but the refusal of the Pope to annul his marriage resulted in Henry declaring himself as the “head of the Church of England.

Henry was obsessed with producing a male heir and his wife had been unable to produce a male heir. So, all subsequent English Sovereigns remained the “head of the church of England”.

In 1838, English Liberal politicians wanted to remove state support and recognition of all churches. Opponents to this suggestion coined the word antidisestablishmentarianism.

The antidisestablishmentarians were those who opposed the withdrawal of state support from churches, especially the Anglican Church.

This term could be used to describe the current political disagreements between the Liberal Democrats and Conservative Republicans in the US today.

Republicans were elected to “undo” suicidal, failed and unpopular Liberal policies.  They would seek to “disestablish” these policies.  Democrats in this case would be the anti-disestablishment group.

In a historical sense, Republicans would like to return the US to be in compliance with the US Constitution (as written). And Republicans would argue that the Democrats have pushed to “disestablish” the US Constitution and they oppose this.  In this case the Republicans would be the “anti-disestablishment group.

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader