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.

A moral compass is a vital consideration for me but I don’t see it in in conflict with an assessment of the state of Christianity for people who are concerned about how people’s views impact policy.

I do think TheCatWoman question is relevant politically. GB News alleged the Green Party would disestablish The Church of England, although the Green Party has denied having plans for that. Also, I was recently approached by someone who seeked my ‘help’ in actively stopping certain activities by people of a religion that wasn’t Christian. It left me gobsmacked because it was driven by hatred of people of certain religions. 

I have spent years of active involvement in peace building in Northern Ireland and in Jerusalem. Facilitating dialogue between different religions and beliefs in safe spaces was a big part of that. For many, fear of difference can be a barrier to respecting others of different beliefs, for others cultural background and harm committed by one individual is enough to provoke hatred. 

Although these events are historical, when I hear people say things like 'we should be Christian' there's an unspoken "or else" there. Or else what exactly, would they like us converted by sword or gun point? Have wardens to ensure we go to church and if we don't go for a couple of weeks without "good reason" have us fined as has previously happened? Or at worst will we return to the burning times, when disenters will face a horrible and painful death for the good of thier souls?

A sign of stability for now. 

"The Prince of Wales is "keen to build a strong and meaningful bond" with the Church of England, a royal aide has said, ahead of the future monarch attending the new Archbishop of Canterbury's official installation this week.":

www.bbc.co.uk/.../cx230em8jg7o

TheCatWoman said:

this is the dark underbelly of Christianity that people don't really like to talk about, the Church Muscular, remember that, the Crusades, conversion by the sword in places like Lituania, Iceland?

How far back to go is not an easily resolved question.

My knowledge of the Crusades isn’t that detailed but I do understand that they were widespread and undeniably brutal on a scale that hasn’t been replicated by other religions. Power and religion out of control and mad. I often wonder how humans, despite obvious fallibility, could inflict such atrocities on innocent people. 

The Anglican Church currently employs some Muslim people who work in areas such as community relationships. There is more of common interest among people and difference in faith practice is inconsequential.

I think it is likely that disestablishment will happen, perhaps in Prince William’s time or later.

I think disestablishement could improve things for minority religions, there might be less pressure to "conform", to put CofE down on forms because it's "normal".

I don't think King Charles's feelings would change and Prince William seems not to be that bothered, so maybe disestablishment will come from him?

America has not state religion and yet seems to be one of the most Christian countries, the only problem is that all the sects disagree and squabble.

I think the populists are mostly on the right or far right of the political spectrum and are using Christianity as a stick to beat others with, I know I don't know the bible that well, but I'm pretty sure that nowhere does it say that people should set fire to hotels for asylum seekers, or march on the streets and threaten others? But then this is the dark underbelly of Christianity that people don't really like to talk about, the Church Muscular, remember that, the Crusades, conversion by the sword in places like Lituania, Iceland?

I think disestablishement could improve things for minority religions, there might be less pressure to "conform", to put CofE down on forms because it's "normal".

I don't think King Charles's feelings would change and Prince William seems not to be that bothered, so maybe disestablishment will come from him?

America has not state religion and yet seems to be one of the most Christian countries, the only problem is that all the sects disagree and squabble.

I think the populists are mostly on the right or far right of the political spectrum and are using Christianity as a stick to beat others with, I know I don't know the bible that well, but I'm pretty sure that nowhere does it say that people should set fire to hotels for asylum seekers, or march on the streets and threaten others? But then this is the dark underbelly of Christianity that people don't really like to talk about, the Church Muscular, remember that, the Crusades, conversion by the sword in places like Lituania, Iceland?

Although these events are historical, when I hear people say things like 'we should be Christian' there's an unspoken "or else" there. Or else what exactly, would they like us converted by sword or gun point? Have wardens to ensure we go to church and if we don't go for a couple of weeks without "good reason" have us fined as has previously happened? Or at worst will we return to the burning times, when disenters will face a horrible and painful death for the good of thier souls?

A sign of stability for now. 

"The Prince of Wales is "keen to build a strong and meaningful bond" with the Church of England, a royal aide has said, ahead of the future monarch attending the new Archbishop of Canterbury's official installation this week.":

www.bbc.co.uk/.../cx230em8jg7o

TheCatWoman said:

this is the dark underbelly of Christianity that people don't really like to talk about, the Church Muscular, remember that, the Crusades, conversion by the sword in places like Lituania, Iceland?

How far back to go is not an easily resolved question.

My knowledge of the Crusades isn’t that detailed but I do understand that they were widespread and undeniably brutal on a scale that hasn’t been replicated by other religions. Power and religion out of control and mad. I often wonder how humans, despite obvious fallibility, could inflict such atrocities on innocent people. 

The Anglican Church currently employs some Muslim people who work in areas such as community relationships. There is more of common interest among people and difference in faith practice is inconsequential.

I think it is likely that disestablishment will happen, perhaps in Prince William’s time or later.