Questions to debate from the perspective of Anglicans, Puritans & Catholics

Explanation: The class will be divided into 3 groups--one to role play Anglicanism, one Puritanism, and one Catholicism. The groups will have some time to answer the questions, then the class will debate the issues from these perspectives. Answer the questions from the beginning, but the last question will serve as the springboard for our class discussion.

1. Worship

What should religious worship be like? Should it be simple or elaborate? Why? What should the clergy be like? How should they be trained? What should they wear? What should the liturgy be like? Should worship revolve around the sermon, the prayers or communion? What is the center of your spirituality--sacraments, prayer, preaching, doctrine, saints, relics, or something else? (Can you prioritize these?)

2. Authority

What should be the principle authority for doctrine and practice--Scripture, the Pope, tradition, or the state? How do you know that your way is right? Where did your ideas come from?

3. Church & State

Who should control the Church--the government or ecclesiastical authority? How should the Church be regulated (or should it)?

4. Polity

What kind of Church government should there be? What constitutes "the Church?"

5. Toleration

What is your view of the others on this list? How should you control religious principle and practice? What should your state do to control it?

6. Problems

What are the greatest problems in the Church today? What can be done to change the situation?