David Cameron says the UK is a Christian country

[NeutralCitizen]

David Cameron has said the UK is a Christian country "and we should not be afraid to say so".

In a speech in Oxford on the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible, the prime minister called for a revival of traditional Christian values to counter Britain's "moral collapse".

He said "live and let live" had too often become "do what you please".

The PM said it was wrong to suggest that standing up for Christianity was "somehow doing down other faiths".

Describing himself as a "committed" but only "vaguely practising" Christian, the PM admitted he was "full of doubts" about big theological issues.
'Don't do God'

But he staunchly defended the role of religion in politics and said the Bible in particular was crucial to British values.

We are a Christian country and we should not be afraid to say so," he told the audience at Christ Church.

"Let me be clear: I am not in any way saying that to have another faith - or no faith - is somehow wrong.

"I know and fully respect that many people in this country do not have a religion.

"And I am also incredibly proud that Britain is home to many different faith communities, who do so much to make our country stronger.

"But what I am saying is that the Bible has helped to give Britain a set of values and morals which make Britain what it is today."

Mr Cameron said people often argued that "politicians shouldn't 'do God'" - a reference to a comment famously made by former No 10 spin doctor Alistair Campbell when Tony Blair was asked about his religion.

"If by that they mean we shouldn't try to claim a direct line to God for one particular political party, they could not be more right," the PM said.

"But we shouldn't let our caution about that stand in the way of recognising both what our faith communities bring to our country, and also just how incredibly important faith is to so many people in Britain."

Mr Cameron also said it was "easier for people to believe and practise other faiths when Britain has confidence in its Christian identity".

"Many people tell me it is much easier to be Jewish or Muslim here in Britain than it is in a secular country like France," he said.

"Why? Because the tolerance that Christianity demands of our society provides greater space for other religious faiths too.

"And because many of the values of a Christian country are shared by people of all faiths and indeed by people of no faith at all."

How religious is the UK?

Christian: 72%
No religion: 16%
Muslim: 3%
Hindu: 1%
Figures from 2001 Census
In British Attitudes Survey in 2010, 43% were Christian and 51% no religion

 

[untitled]

Yet Christianity is so openly allowed to be insulted

 

[888jamie888]

Not Christianity as such, merely the morals.eg treat your neighbour as you would yourself etc.

 

[NeutralCitizen]

Well the UK heritage was on Christianity I don't find anything wrong on saying that.

 

[untitled]

Well the UK heritage was on Christianity I don't find anything wrong on saying that.

Even country's like the Turkey, Syria, Lebanon have Christian heritage. Does that make them Christian ?

But how many people in Britain see the Bible as a guide ?

 

[NeutralCitizen]

Even country's like the Turkey, Syria, Lebanon have Christian heritage. Does that make the Christian ?

But how many people in Britain see the Bible as a guide ?

Well The UK founded on the Christian Tradition. Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Islamic tradition.
The report says the UK is 72% Christian maybe less then 72 around 50 to 60 follows the traditions of it.

 

[Mech]

Yet Christianity is so openly allowed to be insulted

Christians are not taught to " kill " everyone who insults Christianity. Infact, the entire focus of the new testament is on loving your enemy and forgiveness. When Christ himself removes every provision to exact revenge......what can we do?

 

[untitled]

Christians are not taught to " kill " everyone who insults Christianity.

Neither does Islam. This law was in its present shape forced upon us by some power hungry mullahs

Guess where did India/Pakistan inherit the Blasphemy law from?

Britain revoked its blasphemy law in 2008. I guess Christians are so used to insults the law was removed altogether

Infact, the entire focus of the new testament is on loving your enemy and forgiveness. When Christ himself removes every provision to exact revenge......what can we do?

Too bad these practices were not followed during the colonization period

 

[Pakistanisage]

It is bizarre to hear all these politicians claim Christianity to appease Christian constituencies. However, very small percentage of their people practice Christianity. In France less than 10% of their so called Christians go to church on a regular basis. Most of them are Christians in name only and yet they try to make a big deal out of it.

 

[AcesAreDirty]

Christians only follow tradion of over commercialized holidays. There is no other religion in UK than consumerism!

 

[Mech]

Neither does Islam. This law was in its present shape forced upon us by some power hungry mullahs

Guess where did India/Pakistan inherit the Blasphemy law from?

Britain revoked its blasphemy law in 2008. I guess Christians are so used to insults the law was removed altogether



Too bad these practices were not followed during colonization period

Whatever actions they did, they did it under their own authority and not under any mandate from the bible. The new testament explicitly asks you to refrain from resorting to violence or extracting anykind of revenge. In fact, Christ himself had this to say -

" If some strikes you on one cheek, show him the other so that he may strike it as well "

" Those who live by the sword dies by the sword "

I dont really have a bible with me at the moment to give you exact quotes or references. But im sure you get the point.

There is no provision for violence in "Christianity". It is the inherent nature of man to tend towards "sin". Which is why "forgiveness", "love", and "faith" form the whole essence of Christianity. It is given free for all regardless of his/her circumstances, their past, present and future.

 

[samv]

Whatever actions they did, they did it under their own authority and not under any mandate from the bible. The new testament explicitly asks you to refrain from resorting to violence or extracting anykind of revenge. In fact, Christ himself had this to say -

" If some strikes you on one cheek, show him the other so that he may strike it as well "

" Those who live by the sword dies by the sword "

I dont really have a bible with me at the moment to give you exact quotes or references. But im sure you get the point.

There is no provision for violence in "Christianity". It is the inherent nature of man to tend towards "sin". Which is why "forgiveness", "love", and "faith" form the whole essence of Christianity. It is given free for all regardless of his/her circumstances, their past, present and future.

So what about the old testament then?

 

[AUz]

UK is a Christian country?

Yes , America is also a 'Christian country'

These politicians . . . . . . . .

Christianity is dead/dying in the West. The only "practicing" Christian countries are African countries like Uganda or Kenya etc

UK is a 'Christian culture' that has very less (if any) to do with 'Christianity'.

 

[pmukherjee]

Christians are not taught to " kill " everyone who insults Christianity. Infact, the entire focus of the new testament is on loving your enemy and forgiveness. When Christ himself removes every provision to exact revenge......what can we do?

That maybe the case now but Christianity, especially Catholicism, the predominant strain of Christianity spent a rather large part of its history doing just that. Maybe the Inquisitions never read the New testament!! Suppression of heresy was practiced even before the Inquisition began in the 12th century but torture and death became the standard fate of thousands of so called heretics and blasphemers once the Inquisitions began. And all this was happening under the instructions of none other than the Pope, mind you. Ask Galileo how he felt hiding in the sewers of Spain and Italy for suggesting that the Earth was not the centre of the solar system. Poor guy had to spend a major part of his life under house arrest. Christianity may have moved on but they had a very black past. Maybe one day Islam too will moderate and become more flexible. These are just stages of evolution.
Personally speaking, I do not find anything to chose from between any of the Abrahamic religions. All are based upon the fundamental principal of "My God is the only true God and your God is all crap". This is the basis for all the intolerance.
On topic, yes, historically speaking, UK was indeed at the forefront of the Christian movement. In fact, Richard the Lionheart himself led one of the crusades. the Knights Templar were composed mainly of English knights (most of whom spoke french).

 

[AUz]

So what about the old testament then?

Don't bring that