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Are we really a Christian country?

TheCatWoman

I know in a calendrical sense we are, we arrange things like school terms and holidays according to church practices, but is that the same as being a Christian country? Church attendance is dropping especially the CofE, we seem to be default CofE in that if you don't know what religion you are or aren't bothered, it's often still put on forms that require a religious affliation. I've sometime been asked if I really want to put Wiccan down in writing on a form and yes I do, I wonder if others have found similar attitudes?

We seem to be a very religiously and spiritually diverse nation, not all Christian denominations celebrate things like Christmas or Easter on the same days, let alone all the other faiths, and what of those who have no faith or belief, do they deserve to be forced into celebrating something meaningless to them?

Apart from the very observant in non Christian faiths, I've noticed that those of many other faiths are quite happy to celebrate Christian holydays, in Islam, Jesus is seen as a prophet, many Hindu's being basically polytheistic join in and put thier own twist on it.

I know that MP chap got all offended about a public Iftar prayer and food distribution in Trafalgar Square last week and I could for the life of me understand why? I've been to many interfaith events and found them all incredibly welcoming, most people just want to share, not dominate.

Parents

  • We are a Christian country, The King is literally the head of the Anglican Church, Anglican Bishops sit in the house of lords. (Making us one of only two countries where religious leaders have a formal say in government, the other being Iran.) Our public holidays are based around Christianity, until only a few years ago members of the royal family were forbidden to convert to catholicism, we have only had a single non-christian prime minister. (Sunak) 

    According to the 2021 census christianity is still the largest religion in the UK at around 46% with people declaring no religion second at 36% 

    All the rest is just racist resentment with religion used as an excuse by bigots. 

  • in reply to Ferrosol

    The king as head of the church and Anglican bishops in the house of lords looks like an architectural hangover from earlier days rather than being reflective of current beliefs - I think the bishops should be removed from the HOL as a matter of urgency, there's no justification for it. It's up to the Anglican church who they have as their head.

    That 46% figure for Christianity includes people who automatically tick the box 'Christian' in a cultural sense - that figure  falls every ten years when the census is taken, reflecting a habit common among older people. I remember people saying they were 'CofE' if asked, then quickly moving on. They didn't go to church or even pray, it was just the default response. It seems to be a practice that's the preserve of the elderly these days. 

    There's actually been a few non-Christian PMs - our current one is an atheist:

    Non-religious Prime Ministers: a history – Humanists UK

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  • in reply to Ferrosol

    The king as head of the church and Anglican bishops in the house of lords looks like an architectural hangover from earlier days rather than being reflective of current beliefs - I think the bishops should be removed from the HOL as a matter of urgency, there's no justification for it. It's up to the Anglican church who they have as their head.

    That 46% figure for Christianity includes people who automatically tick the box 'Christian' in a cultural sense - that figure  falls every ten years when the census is taken, reflecting a habit common among older people. I remember people saying they were 'CofE' if asked, then quickly moving on. They didn't go to church or even pray, it was just the default response. It seems to be a practice that's the preserve of the elderly these days. 

    There's actually been a few non-Christian PMs - our current one is an atheist:

    Non-religious Prime Ministers: a history – Humanists UK

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