Meghan Markle: Citizenship and Religious Conversion

[French Toast]

Originally Posted by MaiaMia_53

Yes, right. It's the same way we do not get to see glimpses of Meghan coming and going in public unless it's a public outing. We are unlikely to see her parents, I would assume.

The only way we would is if it's decided for them to enter the church's front entrance, which as others have commented, is highly unlikely. They are all more than likely to be whisked in and out via a private entrance. The security for Meghan and her family is going to be quite high in England for some time to come. I wonder if her parents are receiving some kind of round-the-clock protection too in California and Mexico (by private security services paid for by Harry).



Melanie Bromley of E-news said that she suspects both of Meghan's parents will accompany her down the aisle. That would be interesting. But knowing how Meghan feels about her Mom and Dad, it would not be surprising.



One of the articles I read mentioned that Meghan's Dad is Episcopalian, which is the Americanized version of Anglican (unsurprising as Thomas Markle, Sr.'s ancestry can be traced back to England to the court of Henry VIII).

I don't believe that Meghan previously had any very strong 'one religion vs the other' beliefs. Her mother Doria grew up Protestant. However, Doria has been described as a free-spirit, which means a free-thinker. Doria appears to be interested in Eastern religions and practices, as she became involved with yoga in the 1970s and [b] she and Tom Markle Sr. were married in a Buddhist Temple in LA[\b]. Therefore Meghan seems to have embraced and been exposed to all religions: she had Moslem friends growing up; she attended a Catholic high school and was mentored by her nun teachers; she married and later divorced her Jewish boyfriend; her parents wed in a Buddhist Temple, but her mother grew up attending Baptist churches (Doria's father was a Baptist minister); Tom Markle Sr. comes from an Episcopal background, yet his brother is head of an Eastern Orthodox Catholic ministry.

With Meghan now joining the Anglican Church, it all seems to be coming full circle, in many ways back to her father's English roots.

Sigh. The Self-Realization Fellowship in L.A. where her parents were married is NOT and was NOT ever a Buddhist Temple.

[O-H Anglophile]

Originally Posted by ACO

Yeah I don't think it is a secret. We all knew it was happening at some point. It is more private than secret, IMO. And neither is a bad thing. Should be private.

I agree, private is a more accurate word than secret.

[American Observer7]

Why would her parents miss something like that though? It just doesn't seem right. They should have been there.

[Pranter]

My parents weren't there when I was baptized or confirmed ...job/distance etc. Plus not everyone agrees with those type of ceremonies. Her parents didn't appear to really raise her in a Church.


LaRae

[Countessmeout]

Just because she wasn't baptized doesn't mean that she didn't have some religious upbringing. Or went to church with them at times. I highly doubt they missed it in protest of not approving of her being baptized.

Her father isn't in the greatest health and make the trip for her baptism may have been too much. Her mother works still, and mid week, she may have not found it possible to come.

Shame it couldn't have been done when her mother is there for her bridal shower, if the rumors are true of a bridal shower and hen party, and that Doria is coming.

[royal rob]

Originally Posted by American Observer7

Why would her parents miss something like that though? It just doesn't seem right. They should have been there.

Maybe they just didn’t want too. I don’t think we will ever see them going to church like the Middleton’s. I’m not going to judge them on whatever they do.

[Osipi]

I really don't think it matters at all who was there when Meghan was baptized. Other than the officiating cleric and a few witnesses, this is a sacred covenant between Meghan and her God and not a spectacle.

Her parents will be there for the wedding and that is what really matters.

[MaiaMia_53]

Originally Posted by French Toast

Sigh. The Self-Realization Fellowship in L.A. where her parents were married is NOT and was NOT ever a Buddhist Temple.

Yeah right. Thanks for pointing that out. It's not a Buddhist Temple, so I stand corrected. However, the founder of the congregation is Swami Paramahansa Yogananda who was a disciple of Swami Sri Yuketeswar, a late 19th-century/ early 20th-century East Indian yogi who was a scholar of the Bhagavad Gita (700 verse Hindu scripture) and of the Bible.

Swami Yogananda founded the Self-Realization Fellowship Hollywood Temple in 1920 to further meditation and yoga well-being and enlightenment practices in the west. Although the L.A. Temple's practices are not directly connected to either Hinduism or to Buddhism, there are some indirect connections to both of those belief systems.

[Madame Verseau]

The Fail may have gotten in wrong about Meghan's parents being there, or it simply does not know. Charles and Camilla were there which was nice and two people close to Meghan were her sponsors. The Fail said 18 guests were at the brunch.

DM said Meghan was baptized with water from the River Jordan. I thought such water was used for those who were born Royal. By using this water is this a way of signalling Meghan will be officially Royal upon marriage? It explains the 5000+ comments on DM. I didn't bother to read because it would be the usual drill, some still in denial that this wedding is happening.

[Osipi]

Originally Posted by Madame Verseau

DM said Meghan was baptized with water from the River Jordan. I thought such water was used for those who were born Royal. By using this water is this a way of signalling Meghan will be officially Royal upon marriage? It explains the 5000+ comments on DM. I didn't bother to read because it would be the usual drill, some still in denial that this wedding is happening.

Use of water from the Jordan river is common for baptisms and anyone can be baptized themselves at the actual site. It is not something only for royalty. I guess it just makes it a bit more special to use this water in royal baptisms.

[AdmirerUS]

One of the major networks today commented that the baptism was gesture to honor Her Majesty. Which is just such and American thing to say, I had to share it.

[MaiaMia_53]

Originally Posted by AdmirerUS

One of the major networks today commented that the baptism was gesture to honor Her Majesty. Which is just such and American thing to say, I had to share it.

Thanks for sharing. I'm sure that was part of it. However, Meghan herself would also have to feel deeply about wanting to make this commitment in her own heart. It can't just be a gesture of respect alone. It seems to me that in her consultations and lessons with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Meghan has opened up and as reported 'bonded' with this church leader in an important way that has benefited her own spiritual growth. That's not a small thing, nor is it simply indicative of a respectful gesture.

[Pranter]

That would be a pretty poor reason to become baptized and confirmed into a Church IMO (because you respect the Queen etc)...it should not really have anything to do with how others view you or how you want to show something...but your relationship to Christ and His teachings.


LaRae

[wyevale]

In truth we have NO idea what may have prompted Ms Markle to take this step, which is entirely voluntary. Potentially any number of reasons...

[ACO]

Exactly. If I had to guess it would be so that Meghan, Harry, and their future family will all be under the same church. It doesn't seem to me that she was highly religious so this probably wasn't a big deal for her.

[French Toast]

Originally Posted by MaiaMia_53

Yeah right. Thanks for pointing that out. It's not a Buddhist Temple, so I stand corrected. However, the founder of the congregation is Swami Paramahansa Yogananda who was a disciple of Swami Sri Yuketeswar, a late 19th-century/ early 20th-century East Indian yogi who was a scholar of the Bhagavad Gita (700 verse Hindu scripture) and of the Bible.

Swami Yogananda founded the Self-Realization Fellowship Hollywood Temple in 1920 to further meditation and yoga well-being and enlightenment practices in the west. Although the L.A. Temple's practices are not directly connected to either Hinduism or to Buddhism, there are some indirect connections to both of those belief systems.

Thanks for the lecture; however, I must say there was no need for you to copy snd paste anothers work about the Self-Realization Fellowship, its history, and its late founder.

As one who visits the SRF lake shrine in Pacific Palisades as well as the temple near my home in Encinitas, CA quite often I know a lot about the SRF. It is a very special place.

[Ish]

Originally Posted by Pranter

That would be a pretty poor reason to become baptized and confirmed into a Church IMO (because you respect the Queen etc)...it should not really have anything to do with how others view you or how you want to show something...but your relationship to Christ and His teachings.


LaRae

There are many reasons why someone would join a church or religion, them believing in it being just one. Religion has as much to do with social constructions as it has to do with faith.

It is incredibly unlikely that Meghan is joining the Church of England because she has a newfound belief in its teachings that just happens to coincide with her relationship with Harry. It is a lot more likely that she recognizes the church as being important to Harry’s family, and realizes that there are a lot of activities that will involve the Church of England in her future and has come to a logical conclusion that joining the church will enable her to be more involved and/or more comfortable in these activities.

Many people convert to a religion because of their significant other. It’s probably less common now in a world where (in the West at least) religion plays a smaller role, but it still happens. Meghan is not unique in this.

[carlota]

as a christian, we baptise and then prepare for communion and prepare for confirmation separately. these are important steps of faith, each requiring a lot of preparation and commitment and consideration of each step. to give you an idea, one prepares for 2 years for communion, and about 1 year for confirmation. so to see that meghan was baptised and confirmed on the same day, with both activities done one followed by another as if it were a laundry list makes me for one disappointed but also makes it appear as if this was something that 'had to be done' as a future member of the RF that she will be rather than as the commitment / devotion that the media is reporting.

[Rudolph]

Let’s not overthink it. She’s not exactly a Charlie Church. She got baptised and confirmed because of Harry and his grandmother.

[Osipi]

No one can specifically state just why Meghan decided to be baptized and confirmed in the CoE. I'm sure that Harry and his family probably contributed to part of the reason. A lot of adults grow up exposed to different faiths and never formally commit themselves to one until reasons and opportunities present themselves.