Paul Weller argues that continuation of the Church of England as an establishment is theologically and politically inadequate to the religious, social and political landscape of the twenty-first century. Within an outline of the contemporary religious landscape and the empirical results of research into the nature and extent of religious discrimination, Time for a Change traces the historical and contemporary contours and implications of establishment. A range of alternative social, legal historical, theological and ecclesiological approaches and models are examined and aspects of 'negotiation theory' are used to explore the conditions and dynamics necessary for transition and change. Finally, Weller argues that often-neglected perspectives of Baptist Christian tradition - in particular its theologically founded commitment to religious freedom and voluntaryist ecclesiology - offer more adequate resources for shaping the Christian future in a religiously plural and secular society than perspectives historically associated with establishment. Time for a Change shows that, through the conjunction of social, political, demographic, theological and ecclesiological developments, a 'kairos' or decision time has arrived for establishment. It aims to stimulate a social and religious dialogue leading to the evolution of a new 'socio-religious contract'.

Table of Contents:
Part I: Established Religion: Its Inheritance and Alternatives; Chapter 1: The Historical Inheritance of Established Religion; Introduction Roots of Establishment The Nationalization of Religion Revolutionary Challenge and Restoration The Rise of Dissent, Toleration, and Equality Church of England Debates. Chapter 2: Alternative Theologies and Ecclesiologies of Religion, State and Society; Introduction Baptist Historical Roots Theological Commitment to Religious Liberty A Voluntaryist Ecclesiology. Chapter 3: Alternative Socio-Religious and Constitutional Patterns; Introduction Religious and Cultural Mosaics Separation with Religiosity Secularist Separation Separation against Communalism Civil Religion and Nation-Building Pillarization Other Variants. Part II: Established Religion: Religious and Political Context; Chapter 4: The Changing Religious Landscape; Introduction A Christian Inheritance National Diversities Migration and Diversification Other Diversities of Belief and Practice Secularization. Chapter 5: The Varieties of Religious Discrimination; Introduction Religious Discrimination in Scotland Religious Discrimination in Northern Ireland Religious Discrimination in England and Wales Tackling Religious Discrimination Chapter 6: Establishment and Religious Disadvantage; Introduction Establishment and the Constitution Establishment and the Monarchy Establishment, Parliament and Ecclesiastical Law Establishment and the Blasphemy Laws Establishment and the Education System Establishment and Civil Society Establishment and its Distinctiveness Establishment: A Nexus in Religion, State and Society; Part III: Established Religion: A Time for Change; Chapter 7: The 'Kairos' of Establishment; Introduction Discerning the Times Material, Ecclesiological and Theological Change 'Kairos' and Social Cosmologies 'Kairos', Crisis or Discernment. Chapter 8: Models for a Change to Establishment; Introduction Transition, Risk and Negotiated Change A secularising Disestablishment An "extended" Establishment A National Religious Council Evaluating the Options. Chapter 9: Towards a New Socio-Religious Contract; Introduction Principles for a Change Voluntaryism for a Religiously Plural Society Creating Dialogical Structures for a Religiously Plural Society Evolving Constitutional Frameworks for a Religiously Plural Society Developing Future Legal Instruments for a Religiously Plural Society Organic Parallelism in a Plural Society Conclusion. Bibliography; Index