If 93% of Christians believe their faith is being marginalised, we are not a liberal accepting society
Premier's CEO Peter Kerridge responds to a survey
which shows 93% of Christians
believe that Christianity is being
marginalised
Christianity has been a major influence in the UK for 1500 years. Our
history and culture, our values, our government, our legal and medical systems
all bear its mark. From our monarchy to the smallest of gatherings in the local
parish hall, traces of the Christian faith are all around
us.
Church spires across the country point out a nation whose whole fabric of
life is interwoven with Christianity. Everyday ordinary Christians quietly live
out their faith and in a myriad of ways make the world a better
place.
Last month, as church halls and Mosques in North Kensington responded as
one to the horrific disaster at the Grenfell flats, Tim Farron, ironically a
leading liberal, stepped down from his post saying that he couldn't do his job
because of the hostility to his faith. Premier's 'State of the Faith' survey is
an authoritative snapshot of how ordinary Christians across the UK are feeling
today about their faith.
This is not the clergy talking, or academics theorising, or politicians
making a case.
They feel overwhelmingly that their Christian beliefs are being
marginalised and that as a result it’s becoming far more difficult to live as a
person of faith in the UK.
They feel Christianity isn't being given the same respect as other
faiths, that the media, the way laws are interpreted, the general hesitancy of
businesses and public bodies to constructively engage with them as Christians is
pushing them to the edge of society.
It's clear we are not the liberal accepting society we think we are if we
don't tolerate and accept everyone, including Christians. People of faith, from
all religions should be allowed to live and work in freedom. They should be
encouraged to hold to their faith not just in their homes and churches, mosques,
synagogues and temples, but also in their jobs and hobbies and in the public
square.
While this survey clearly indicates how it feels to be an ordinary
Christian today, I suspect other faith groups may have similar stories to
tell.
That said, I think there is plenty that the Church could be doing to
provide encouragement for ordinary Christians. Firstly, by being much more
supportive of Christians who aren't necessarily found in church on a Sunday.
There are millions of people trying to live out their lives, who for whatever
reason can't be in church on a Sunday. It sounds obvious, but couldn’t churches
extend their opening hours? Or why not experiment with new ways of using the
tens of thousands of church buildings? We all need to adapt to enable normal
ordinary Christians to feel they are really part of a community. It would show
that Christianity isn't an institution run by a professional elite ministering
to the holy few.
If ordinary Christians could feel confident that having a faith was a
reasonable life choice, was normal, acceptable, then this part of their lives
wouldn't have to be practiced in the shadows. Faith, which is the main driver of
so much that happens in the world could be talked about. And the UK would be a
healthier, better informed, more accepting place to
live.
