Are we really a Christian country?

Yes for knowing hymns, but knowledge of the Bible was down to a fascination with looking for internal inconsistencies and Church history and Christology was caused by an interest in Late Roman and Byzantine history and the schism between the Western and Eastern churches. "Is the Father greater than the Son?" and "Does the Holy Spirit proceed from the Father and the Son, or only from the Father?" Such questions caused persecutions, murders, martyrdoms, riots and even wars.

I wasn’t active in the political foreground —the politicians and religious leaders did that. 

The late John Hume (MP who together with David Trimble helped negotiate the N.I. peace deal and shared the Nobel Peace Prize) expressed a desire to work with the organisation in Jerusalem that I was involved with. Sadly, he realised he wouldn’t be able to contribute because he had Alzheimer’s. He was a great man. 

ArchaeC said:

I have spent years of active involvement in peace building in Northern Ireland and in Jerusalem.

Impressive.

Such divisions in both places!

ArchaeC said:

For many, fear of difference can be a barrier to respecting others of different beliefs

Yes. That's starts at school and sadly many seem unable to grow out of it.

ArchaeC said:

for others cultural background and harm committed by one individual is enough to provoke hatred

That has been demonstrated time and again here in the UK.

That's ok

Sorry I don't understand your reply?

If anyone thinks it's not, go look at other countries without a decent percentage of Christians. 

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. 

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.

Martin said:

I know the Bible fairly well and Church history, including Christology, I also know the prominent Anglican hymns and carols,

That's possibly generational.

Religious Education at school was Christian and we also had a Christian assembly each morning where hymns were sung.

This wasn't at Church schools.

I think that many people in the UK are culturally Christian, while not being active churchgoers, or even believers. I know the Bible fairly well and Church history, including Christology, I also know the prominent Anglican hymns and carols, but I am not a believer in any religion. 

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.

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. 

Do you think those things are exclusive to Christianity?

What about all those of us who aren't Christian, where do we fit into you scheme of things?

pietro_21 said:

non practising Christian

It's more likely to be agnostic or atheist I think.

To my mind a 'non practising Christian' isn't 'no religion'.

If they have a faith at home but don't go to church but isn't that still Christian so wouldn't they note themselves as such on the census?

I think a lot of no religion might also be considered to be non practising Christian, I speculate British born.

There has been a quiet revival in Generation Z in church going in the 18-24 year old age group so I don’t think it is accurate to say it is all in decline in the UK. Also, church going among women has went up to according to research from the Bible society.

https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/research/quiet-revival?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22796595343&gclid=CjwKCAjwyYPOBhBxEiwAgpT8P-765yJ_pRH5M3LiCwsQjr-4Lm9UyM1KySyQLVJypPt_0DxZe59h6RoC3-oQAvD_BwE

 I will write also to-Christianity has values and this country seems to have some of those values at the basis of it like caring for the sick with the NHS and benefit system . Most countries are not the good with this and there are some people that just have Christian values and occasionally celebrate or just have the core values.

I have think have had a tough last six years and religion isn’t going anywhere now. More people want to know the creator. May be spirituality is increasing to.  People are also wondering about end times and if we are in end times.

Those people have Scots-Irish Ancestry. The whole 'Shamrocks and Shenanigans' thing was a Cash Cow.

The US Mindset was, primarily, forged by those Presbyterians. They were the Davy Crocketts of the time, Frontiermen, Hunters, Gun-owners. Us Catholics, in America, stuck to the East Coast Cities; becoming Policemen, Teachers and Politicians.

I was in Dublin, a week and a half ago. The Modern World Agenda was self-evident in O'Connell Street. Though, where I stayed, it wasn't so bad. Though the local populace are kinda in denial.

Welcome Back. Missed you!

I was amazed to discover that in parts of America that I would not have expected, there are Irish community spaces, shops, bars, etc and the same is also true in Australia, even outside of the big cities like Sydney and Melbourne - we know that big cities like New York and Boston have a big Irish-American community too