David Cameron Says This Is A Christian Country

[emmie]

is he wrong, if so why, he has been roundly pilloried for his comments by any number of scientists, academics, and so forth,

[anotheoldgit]

Much as some would wish it not to be England is still officially a Christian country.

*** The Church of England is the officially established religious institution [29] in England, and also the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. It is the only established Anglican Church. The British monarch is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England and is Defender of the Faith. In 19th century England there was a campaign by Liberals, dissenters and nonconformists to disestablish the Church of England, even when most of its privileges had been removed by Parliament. The campaigners styled themselves "Liberationists" (the "Liberation Society" was founded by Edward Miall in 1853). Though their campaign failed, nearly all of the legal disabilities of nonconformists were gradually dismantled. The campaign for disestablishment was revived in the 20th century when Parliament rejected the 1929 revision of the Book of Common Prayer, leading to calls for separation of Church and State to prevent political interference in matters of worship. ***

*** Lords Spiritual, who are the 26 most senior Archbishops and Bishops in the Church are reserved seats in Parliament in the House of Lords. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Archbishop of York, Bishop of London, Bishop of Durham, and the Bishop of Winchester sit automatically with the 21 longest-serving Bishops. ***

[emmie]

wasn't sure whether to put this in religion, but its still news i guess

[emmie]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27099700

[Baldric]

So, 'Call me Dave' is doing a Blair on us is he?

[emmie]

maybe, but he has a point, i honestly don't know why he would come out with this now, other than it's Easter. Or that he is trying to garner the Tory faithful, who probably are still largely Christian, in mind if not in deed

[anotheoldgit]

I wish to say this to those who are constantly wishing for an end to religion, can you ever see an end to religion per-se?

If England ceases to be a Christian country, which this report says could happen in 16 years time, would you be happy to see it become a Muslim country?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2109488/2030-The-year-Britain-cease-Chrsitian-nation-march-secularism.html

[Gromit]

// I wish to say this to those who are constantly wishing for an end to religion, can you ever see an end to religion per-se?

If England ceases to be a Christian country, which this report says could happen in 16 years time, would you be happy to see it become a Muslim country? //

No. Because Islam is another religion. We should not be governed by clerics. We should not have Bishops and Rabbis shaping our laws.

I would rather we became a secular country, particularly as the majority of the country are not practising Christians.

[anotheoldgit]

What is wrong Christianity anyway?

One is not forced to worship, would it alter one's life significantly if an end was put to Christianity?

There are many people who obtain much comfort from it at times of grief etc, are you willing to deprive them of their faith?

[Zacs-Master]

Is this about the shops being shut yesterday?

[emmie]

no, why.

[emmie]

who said anything about shops

[Zacs-Master]

It is, isn't it.

[Gromit]

There is nothing wrong with Christianity. There is nothing wrong with Judaism. There is nothing wrong with Islam.

But just belonging to one of those sects should not mean you automatically get places in the House of Lords and the ability to shape laws and legislation.

There should be a clear separation of religion and the State and we should start by kicking the clerics out of the Lords.

[anotheoldgit]

Gromit

Right get rid of the Clerics in the House of Lords, ( and there is a constructive argument there), but say this was to happen, would there be a significant difference made to our lives?

[emmie]

zac, can you at lease explain

gromit, what clerics, abu hamza type, or actual Bishop types

[Ellipsis]

As AOG pointed out, this is a Christian country and it is embedded into our systems of Government (as is the monarchy). Also in the last census, only three years ago, 59% of people described themselves as Christian.

The correct secular response should have been to call for us to cease being a Christian country, not to claim that we already aren't! They should be thanking Cameron for reminding us that, unlike most of Europe, we are not a secular country, and using it as an opportunity to take steps towards disestablishment.

[Zacs-Master]

You just want us to be a non Christian country so that the shops will open on Easter Sunday. Admit it.

[anotheoldgit]

Zacs-Master

Looking for answers Zac, enter it as a question, "Should the present Sunday trading laws be scrapped" it may produce some interesting answers.

[mushroom25]

the country adopting secularism would probably not alter sunday trading laws. it's very likely they'd be retained as a blue law - rather like the restrictions on the sale of alcohol in the secular united states.

[Gromit]

Out of a population of 63million, only 1 million go to church each sunday. 1.7 million go once a month. As a whole we do not go to church. Many people are born into there religion and put that as a census answer but are not followers.

The Christians can be free to follow their religion in ever decreasing numbers, just the State should not support or subsidise them.

And yes, if shops want to open Christmas Day and Easter Sunday, the Christians should not prevent them from opening.