Post by Teddy Bear on Apr 21, 2014 16:59:35 GMT
Following David Cameron's statements that the UK is a Christian country, 50 signatories sent a letter to the Daily Telegraph arguing against this assertion. Needless to say, the BBC is right behind them with the way they report on it, as shown below. The Commentator makes some observations.
Reading the BBC article that is linked above in the final sentence, and posted below, I see no view expressed explaining why the claim that this country is founded on humanistic Christian teachings. The opponents to this are so intent on neutering the Church, and therefore its tenets, to promote their own ideology I wish they were all forced to live somewhere where they didn't have the security afforded by it.
Church leaders haven't done themselves any favours with their spiritless dhimmi acceptance of the form that 'multiculturalism' has come to be. They explain their cowardice as their way of turning the other cheek, which actually means sticking their heads in the sand and their backsides up in the air.
Cameron's Christianity in a multi-culti Britain
The letter against David Cameron is just the latest expression of an infantile multi-culturalism that has done terrible damage to social cohesion precisely because it is too weak to create any substantial bonds of identity
Perhaps the most striking thing about the 55 "public figures", as the BBC is enthusiastically calling them, who signed a letter of protest against Prime Minister Cameron's observations on how Britain is a Christian country and that we shouldn't be afraid to say it, is that most readers will never have heard of them.
Apart from Polly Toynbee -- whose columns are so poor they're sometimes worth reading just for the comedic value -- and a couple of well known activists like Peter Tatchell, you'll probably look down the list and draw a row of blanks.
Take one look at their letter (to the Telegraph) and it's easy to see why..
Oh dear. First, Britain is a Christian country and that fact won't go away by describing the structure of the British state in terms of "the narrow constitutional" sense. The Church of England is the established church and the Queen is the head of it for reasons which are deeply bound up with the country's political, religious and cultural inheritance.
Neither does the fact that most people don't nowadays go to church on a Sunday mean that Christian values and symbols do not play a vital role in national life. Whenever there's a national tragedy -- the death of Diana for example -- watch how quickly Christianity moves back into centre stage.
Go to any town or village across the country and you'll see that it is the local church, functional or not, that more than anything else defines the local landscape and the visual community of which we are all a part.
The letter against David Cameron is just the latest expression of an infantile multi-culturalism that has done terrible damage to social cohesion precisely because it is too weak to create any substantial bonds of identity.
The writers go on to say: "At a social level, Britain has been shaped for the better by many pre-Christian, non-Christian, and post-Christian forces." Wow. They're really revving up the brain power with that one. You mean there are Hindus and Muslims (that's their key point of course) and Jews and atheists, in Britain? No way!
But it gets stupider still.
"Although it is right to recognise the contribution made by many Christians to social action, it is wrong to try to exceptionalise their contribution when it is equalled by British people of different beliefs."
So, it is wrong to tell the truth? Christianity has been the dominant theme in our religio-cultural life since the sixth century. It is therefore right to "exceptionalise" it. The reason being, it's exceptional.
The shallowness of this open letter against David Cameron is entirely reflective of the shallowness of the politically correct minds that wrote it.
On a final note, it is therefore no surprise at all that the BBC is giving it such extraordinary prominence.
The letter against David Cameron is just the latest expression of an infantile multi-culturalism that has done terrible damage to social cohesion precisely because it is too weak to create any substantial bonds of identity
Perhaps the most striking thing about the 55 "public figures", as the BBC is enthusiastically calling them, who signed a letter of protest against Prime Minister Cameron's observations on how Britain is a Christian country and that we shouldn't be afraid to say it, is that most readers will never have heard of them.
Apart from Polly Toynbee -- whose columns are so poor they're sometimes worth reading just for the comedic value -- and a couple of well known activists like Peter Tatchell, you'll probably look down the list and draw a row of blanks.
Take one look at their letter (to the Telegraph) and it's easy to see why..
"...we object to [Cameron's] characterisation of Britain as a “Christian country” and the negative consequences for politics and society that this engenders.Apart from in the narrow constitutional sense that we continue to have an established Church, Britain is not a “Christian country”. Repeated surveys, polls and studies show that most of us as individuals are not Christian in our beliefs or our religious identities."
Oh dear. First, Britain is a Christian country and that fact won't go away by describing the structure of the British state in terms of "the narrow constitutional" sense. The Church of England is the established church and the Queen is the head of it for reasons which are deeply bound up with the country's political, religious and cultural inheritance.
Neither does the fact that most people don't nowadays go to church on a Sunday mean that Christian values and symbols do not play a vital role in national life. Whenever there's a national tragedy -- the death of Diana for example -- watch how quickly Christianity moves back into centre stage.
Go to any town or village across the country and you'll see that it is the local church, functional or not, that more than anything else defines the local landscape and the visual community of which we are all a part.
The letter against David Cameron is just the latest expression of an infantile multi-culturalism that has done terrible damage to social cohesion precisely because it is too weak to create any substantial bonds of identity.
The writers go on to say: "At a social level, Britain has been shaped for the better by many pre-Christian, non-Christian, and post-Christian forces." Wow. They're really revving up the brain power with that one. You mean there are Hindus and Muslims (that's their key point of course) and Jews and atheists, in Britain? No way!
But it gets stupider still.
"Although it is right to recognise the contribution made by many Christians to social action, it is wrong to try to exceptionalise their contribution when it is equalled by British people of different beliefs."
So, it is wrong to tell the truth? Christianity has been the dominant theme in our religio-cultural life since the sixth century. It is therefore right to "exceptionalise" it. The reason being, it's exceptional.
The shallowness of this open letter against David Cameron is entirely reflective of the shallowness of the politically correct minds that wrote it.
On a final note, it is therefore no surprise at all that the BBC is giving it such extraordinary prominence.
Reading the BBC article that is linked above in the final sentence, and posted below, I see no view expressed explaining why the claim that this country is founded on humanistic Christian teachings. The opponents to this are so intent on neutering the Church, and therefore its tenets, to promote their own ideology I wish they were all forced to live somewhere where they didn't have the security afforded by it.
Church leaders haven't done themselves any favours with their spiritless dhimmi acceptance of the form that 'multiculturalism' has come to be. They explain their cowardice as their way of turning the other cheek, which actually means sticking their heads in the sand and their backsides up in the air.
David Cameron risks 'alienation', public figures claim
The prime minister has said Britain needs to be "more confident" about its Christian faith
David Cameron risks causing "alienation" in society by saying Britain is a "Christian country", a group of public figures has warned.
Author Sir Terry Pratchett was among 50 signatories of a letter to the Daily Telegraph saying Britain was a largely "non-religious society".
The PM said the UK should be "more confident" about its Christianity, a view No 10 says he has stated before.
Faith leaders have said they are "very comfortable" with Mr Cameron's views.
Letter to the Daily Telegraph
The open letter's signatories included author Philip Pullman, performer Tim Minchin, journalist Polly Toynbee, philosopher AC Grayling and presenter Dan Snow.
Its lead signatory was Professor Jim Al-Khalili, president of the British Humanist Association.
The group said it respected the prime minister's right to his own religious beliefs, but said: "We object to his characterisation of Britain as a 'Christian country' and the negative consequences for politics and society that this engenders."
"Apart from in the narrow constitutional sense that we continue to have an established Church, Britain is not a 'Christian country'.
"Constantly to claim otherwise fosters alienation and division in our society," the letter said.
'Multi-faith society'
Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the assertion Britain is a Christian country was "not factually accurate".
He said a YouGov poll found 65% of people questioned described themselves as "not religious", while 29% said they were. He said those people would have come from a range of faiths - not just Christianity.
Mr Tatchell said the evidence shows the is not a Christian country, saying: "We are a multi-faith society, we are also a no-faith society."
His claims come after figures released by the ONS following the 2011 census found that, despite a drop of four million in the number of people who said they were Christians in England and Wales from 2001, 59% of residents still described themselves as Christian.
Christina Rees, a member of the General Synod, the highest governing body of the Church of England, said she was glad Mr Cameron had the "confidence" to talk about his faith and was "absolutely right" to call the UK a "Christian nation".
She said the UK was "historically and culturally" Christian.
Farooq Murad, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said nobody could deny that the UK remains a largely Christian country with "deep historical and structural links" to Christianity.
He said "a sense of the sacred is to be cherished" but added that the UK would be stronger by "recognising and celebrating" people of multiple faiths and of no faith "living in harmony".
Anil Bhanot, managing director of the Hindu Council UK, said he was "very comfortable" with the UK being described as a Christian country.
'Incredibly proud'
In an article for the Church Times earlier this month Mr Cameron said Christians should be "confident" in standing up to defend their values.
The prime minister also spoke of his faith in his Easter message, saying he found "peace" in Christianity.
Downing Street spokeswoman referred to a speech made three years ago by the prime minister where he said the UK was a Christian country and should not be afraid to say so.
"He has said on many occasions that he is incredibly proud that Britain is home to many different faith communities, who do so much to make the UK a stronger country."
BBC political correspondent Chris Mason said Mr Cameron's comments could be politically "useful", coming as the UK Independence Party (UKIP) has been "emphasising traditional values".
The prime minister has said Britain needs to be "more confident" about its Christian faith
David Cameron risks causing "alienation" in society by saying Britain is a "Christian country", a group of public figures has warned.
Author Sir Terry Pratchett was among 50 signatories of a letter to the Daily Telegraph saying Britain was a largely "non-religious society".
The PM said the UK should be "more confident" about its Christianity, a view No 10 says he has stated before.
Faith leaders have said they are "very comfortable" with Mr Cameron's views.
Letter to the Daily Telegraph
The open letter's signatories included author Philip Pullman, performer Tim Minchin, journalist Polly Toynbee, philosopher AC Grayling and presenter Dan Snow.
Its lead signatory was Professor Jim Al-Khalili, president of the British Humanist Association.
The group said it respected the prime minister's right to his own religious beliefs, but said: "We object to his characterisation of Britain as a 'Christian country' and the negative consequences for politics and society that this engenders."
"Apart from in the narrow constitutional sense that we continue to have an established Church, Britain is not a 'Christian country'.
"Constantly to claim otherwise fosters alienation and division in our society," the letter said.
'Multi-faith society'
Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the assertion Britain is a Christian country was "not factually accurate".
He said a YouGov poll found 65% of people questioned described themselves as "not religious", while 29% said they were. He said those people would have come from a range of faiths - not just Christianity.
Mr Tatchell said the evidence shows the is not a Christian country, saying: "We are a multi-faith society, we are also a no-faith society."
His claims come after figures released by the ONS following the 2011 census found that, despite a drop of four million in the number of people who said they were Christians in England and Wales from 2001, 59% of residents still described themselves as Christian.
Christina Rees, a member of the General Synod, the highest governing body of the Church of England, said she was glad Mr Cameron had the "confidence" to talk about his faith and was "absolutely right" to call the UK a "Christian nation".
She said the UK was "historically and culturally" Christian.
Farooq Murad, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said nobody could deny that the UK remains a largely Christian country with "deep historical and structural links" to Christianity.
He said "a sense of the sacred is to be cherished" but added that the UK would be stronger by "recognising and celebrating" people of multiple faiths and of no faith "living in harmony".
Anil Bhanot, managing director of the Hindu Council UK, said he was "very comfortable" with the UK being described as a Christian country.
'Incredibly proud'
In an article for the Church Times earlier this month Mr Cameron said Christians should be "confident" in standing up to defend their values.
The prime minister also spoke of his faith in his Easter message, saying he found "peace" in Christianity.
Downing Street spokeswoman referred to a speech made three years ago by the prime minister where he said the UK was a Christian country and should not be afraid to say so.
"He has said on many occasions that he is incredibly proud that Britain is home to many different faith communities, who do so much to make the UK a stronger country."
BBC political correspondent Chris Mason said Mr Cameron's comments could be politically "useful", coming as the UK Independence Party (UKIP) has been "emphasising traditional values".