Are we really a Christian country?

Looking through the responses to your post, perhaps a definition of ‘Christianity’ would be required in order to answer your question, ‘Are we really a Christian Country?’

The statistics from 2021, along with the current vacant Bishop’s seats and empty pews, would suggest that the majority of people aren’t actively practicing Christians. 

Notwithstanding, it’s interesting viewing how people consider Christianity. 

I am usually more interested to understand if someone has a moral compass and a supportive attitude towards those they encounter in life.

Even some definitions of a "person of faith" can be a bit of a limitation.

I was raised in the Church of England Anglican tradition. 

However, I have lived and worked among a variety of cosmopolitan communities.

A few less well known faith group examples which I have encountered:

Zoroastrians are known for the phrase "good thoughts, good words, good deeds".  That sounds quite an encompassing starting point for the human condition.

Baháʼí Faith places emphasis upon the spiritual unity of humankind, the equality of all people, and the harmony of all major religions. It focuses on social justice, racial unity, and progressive revelation.

I have also known followers of Rastafarianism; who emphasised "love of neighbour" as a foundational spiritual duty, rooted in biblical principles, compassion, and unity.  It also advocates treating others with respect, kindness, and equality, overcoming hatred, and fostering community.  This philosophy often involves active care and generosity, reflecting the commandment to love thy neighbour as oneself.

Spiritual Shouter Baptists; practice an unique Afro-Christian faith - known for their vibrant, vocal worship involving clapping, singing, and shouting (leading to the early term "Shouters").  They are recognized for blending African rituals with Protestant doctrines, including practices like mourning, spiritual travel, pilgrimages, and bell-ringing.  Women hold the significant, high-ranking positions of leadership and are an authority within the church's structure.  They prize healing practices and prophetic visions.

I have known a couple of Wiccan people.  Wicca - Earth-centered, a Pagan religion that venerates nature, usually through the worship of a Goddess and a God.  Founded in England in the mid-20th century, it emphasizes ritual, magic, the celebration of seasonal cycles and a moral code of "harm none".  Each Wiccan person I have personally known was unique and quite unlike the other Wiccan person I met in the past.  (I would not consider labelling them in a stereotypical manner - any more than I would lump together "all Christian people").

I have enjoyed working with colleagues / suppliers and clients with representation from other groups considered a minority within England e.g. Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jews.  Each person has taught me more about outlooks, observances, culture and tradition.

It is also likely a given team at work, or people attending community events, or sporting events may also include:

• atheists (not believing in gods or deities - no belief),
• agnostics (believes that the existence of God, the divine, or the supernatural is unknown or inherently unknowable - uncertainty),
• theists (believes in the existence of at least one god, or divine being, typically viewing this deity as an active creator and ruler of the universe.  Unlike deists, theists often believe in divine intervention in human affairs - believer in divine intervention),
• deists (believes in the existence of a supreme being, or a creator, based on reason, nature, and observation rather than religious dogma, scripture, or divine revelation.  Deists believe God created the universe but does not intervene in human affairs, or violate natural laws - no belief in divine intervention).

I wouldn't be comfortable ignoring any one group's potential contribution to wider community.

I feel each group of people has its role to play, faith group members, or not.

There are good people to be found in any population.

Brilliant post Doormouse a really good explaination of the moral fundamentals and commonalities of world religions, now all we have to do is get people to practice what they preach.

I was brought up in a totally secular family, religion was just another thing done at school, like PE, nothing that really impacted on life outside of school. I think I ended up with quite a garbled idea of what Christianity was/is and loads of questions that you weren't really allowed to ask let alone have answered.

I have different questions now, like why do Christian's disagree with each ohter so much? There are so many different sects, worldwide organisations etc some with millions of followers, and yet many can't seem to agree on the simplest things, like when to calculate the date of easter, can priests be married, what tonsure or none to wear? Thats without getting into the thorny issues of female clergy, being gay, being trans.

Brilliant post Doormouse a really good explaination of the moral fundamentals and commonalities of world religions, now all we have to do is get people to practice what they preach.

I was brought up in a totally secular family, religion was just another thing done at school, like PE, nothing that really impacted on life outside of school. I think I ended up with quite a garbled idea of what Christianity was/is and loads of questions that you weren't really allowed to ask let alone have answered.

I have different questions now, like why do Christian's disagree with each ohter so much? There are so many different sects, worldwide organisations etc some with millions of followers, and yet many can't seem to agree on the simplest things, like when to calculate the date of easter, can priests be married, what tonsure or none to wear? Thats without getting into the thorny issues of female clergy, being gay, being trans.