Britain Is A Christian Country - Get Over It. So Says Eric Pickles

[ladybirder]

in an attack on Atheists.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/04/06/eric-pickles-says-britain-is-a-christian-nation_n_5100794.html

Is he right? And what's it got to do with him whether you or I believe or not?

[LazyGun]

Interesting take on Eric Pickles comments from Giles Fraser. CoE Priest.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2014/apr/07/eric-pickles-britain-christian-nation-athiest?CMP=twt_gu

[emmie]

if you watched the Panorama programme on the Mayor of Tower Hamlets,
Eric Pickles was interviewed and said that he would look into the various matters of possible fraud by the Mayor and his office.

[LazyGun]

Not sure I am understanding your point, emmie. That is mentioned in Giles Frasers article, isn't it?

[anotheoldgit]

Is his remark any different from the London red double decker bus with this on the side of it?

""Some people are gay. Get over it!"

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02490/gay-bus-boris_2490701b.jpg

[emmie]

no idea i didn't read the link, i am pointing out that Eric Pickles has been interviewed on tv Panorama programme, about the activities of Lutfur Rahman - this was last week, so not sure whether you thought he was picking on Islam in some manner or other.

[emmie]

i object to any politicising on our public transport system, if they have to have ads on buses, let it be the sort showing nice looking models, not someone's viewpoint on gays, straights, religion

[LazyGun]

@ emmie Oh, I see. No, I just posted the link because it was from a CoE priest who thinks that Eric Pickles comments were wrong.

It is not just a remark though, is it AoG? He has changed legislation exempting parish councils from legal challenges over communal pre-meeting prayers.

And anyway, it is simply factually incorrect. We may have a history associated with the christian religion, and christianity might be the predominant religion - indeed, the official state religion, something else i disagree with - but we are a secular society, and religion should not intrude into that sphere.

I have no problem with adverts on buses, be it from christian fundamentalists, or LGBT advocacy groups. Thought provoking.

[emmie]

religion intrudes in every facet of our lives, as you say our country was largely built on it.

[ladybirder]

We seem to be pretty much agreed on this then, good. My blood pressure has gone down a bit now but it pings up again every time I remember he changed legislation to accommodate religion.

[anotheoldgit]

LazyGun

/// It is not just a remark though, is it AoG? He has changed legislation exempting parish councils from legal challenges over communal pre-meeting prayers. ///

He himself didn't changed the legislation, he oversaw a change in the law and quite rightly so, why shouldn't some councils be allowed to start off their meetings with prayer if they so wish, any opposition to this freedom can only be associated with dictatorship.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/eric-pickles-gives-councils-back-the-freedom-to-pray--2

[joggerjayne]

What makes it a Christian country?

The fact that the majority are practising Christian? (in which case, clearly it isn't! ... most people on a Sunday are at the shops, or in bed)

Or the fact that the rulers TELL us that we are jolly well a Christian country? (in which case, it's more of a Christian authoritarian dictatorship)

We are a multi denominational, primarily atheist, country.

[DTCwordfan]

What a brilliantly stupid comment from the Lardish one.

More folk in the UK regularly go to a mosque than Christians regularly going to Church (all faiths); the latter is estimated at less than 2 percent.

We are a secular society, Eric, and we like our Sundays for huge breakfasts.

[woofgang]

AOG, we have been here before. Council meetings which begin with prayer either require all councillors to be there, which is neither polite to those who wish to pray nor to those who do not wish to be in the presence of people praying. If al councillors are not required to be there, then this gives an opportunity for private conversation and agreement in the absence of some council members.
Additionally, I would rather see councillors spending their paid time on council affairs rather than being "paid to pray" As I said this earlier, i speak as one who believes in god and prays...but on my own time!

[Old_Geezer]

It is the State religion, and I have no issue with that, having a declared one simplifies things. But that doesn't mean it is necessarily the overwhelming belief of the citizens.

[LazyGun]

@AoG - I think Woofgangs response to the point you make is excellent. I have absolutely no objection whatsoever to councillors who wish to engage in pre-meeting prayer, so long as it not a formal communal prayer arrangement - inflicting your prayers on others, who may not share your religious belief or wish to just get on with business is what is dictatorial, not complaining about such practices.

[jno]

I can't see why Paramount should be allowed to advertise Noah on buses if Noah himself can't advertise his religion.

[emmie]

its a film, which has no basis in reality.

[anotheoldgit]

joggerjayne

/// What makes it a Christian country? ///

Because we are, but unlike other countries it is not compulsory, being a free country no one is forcing you to follow the faith.

/// Or the fact that the rulers TELL us that we are jolly well a Christian country? (in which case, it's more of a Christian authoritarian dictatorship) ///

How dare you talk about a dictatorship, seeing that it is the atheists who are doing all the dictating.

[emmie]

that is the point the atheists, that is people like me, are not dictating, Britain may have its roots in Christianity, but it is on the wane

[anotheoldgit]

DTCwordfan

/// What a brilliantly stupid comment from the Lardish one. ///

Typical if a person has opposing views to some, they are open to personal abusive insults.

/// More folk in the UK regularly go to a mosque than Christians regularly going to Church (all faiths); the latter is estimated at less than 2 percent. ///

Are so you have no opposition to the UK becoming Islamic then, perhaps you are also supportive of “Shier Law"?