To think it is about time to stop being a Christian country.

[ShagOBite]

On the council prayers debate, lots of people have said "but we're a Christian country". Why are we? Should we be? How do we go about changing this? It seems so inappropriate and unnecessary in this day and age.

[AKMD]

YABU. It is part of our heritage and culture. The Queen is the head of the CofE and also our head of state.

[ShagOBite]

Many bad things are part of our heritage and culture.

[WorraLiberty]

What AKMD said

Anyway, 'why' are any countries of a certain religious persuasion?

If we're to stop being Christian, do you also think other countries should drop their main faith?

[fivegomadindorset]

There ate Christians living in Muslim countries would you say the same thing about them?

[HeadyEddie]

I agree Shag, just because it is part of our heritage doesn't mean it can't be changed now. I see no reason for state to be linked to any religion.

[randommoment]

The whole ethos of our system of government is based on Christian values, as is our society, including large amounts that at first sight appear secular.

[AgentZigzag]

I agree with AKMD, you can disagree with it all you like but it's woven into the fabric of our society.

There are lots of crappy things about our heritage and culture, but there are many more brilliant things.

One thing being you can say what you've written in your OP.

[FiggyFloraFinching]

And christianity is bad? How? Why do we want to change it?

[ShagOBite]

Who eats Christians?

[troisgarcons]

I'm pissed off with cow-towing to the minority. If you don;t like it then piss off elsewhere you have all the benefits and freedom of speech the UK allows you.

[HeadyEddie]

I don't see what other countries do has got anything to do with it really.

[Harecare]

I don't think christianity is a bad thing is it? What's the problem?

[ShagOBite]

How very enlightened of you as usual, troisgarcons.

[LaBoccaDellaVerita]

[AKMD]

I would say that religion is a good thing. As random said, our laws and most of our moral standpoints are based on Christian values. I think it's a very good thing that there is some point of reference beyond just doing whatever is fashionable or the 'in' philosophy of the time, a yardstick to judge ourselves against.

I can't recall a country where suppressing the traditional religion has led to good results - Nazi Germany anyone?

[HeadyEddie]

I'd like the state to play no part in any religion. All religions should be allowed and no one should be discriminated against for their religion/lack of religion but I think it should be a personal thing, not linked to the state at all.

The monarchy? Well, thats a whole other debate!

[ShagOBite]

Who said it was a bad thing? Maybe it's not, per se, but why does it have to be the description of the country?

[Sevenfold]

YABU

[vj32]

I don't see how it makes any difference.

There is nothing that is in any way religious that you can't opt out of, other than the fact that the foundation of many of our laws was church law. So yes, we could recreate the legal system but it would seem to me a waste of time...

[FiggyFloraFinching]

I have to say am with troisgarcons on this, why should we change being christian? you wouldn't dream of asking a muslim to change religion, now would you dream of going to a muslim country and insisting they all become christian right here and right now (I am ignoring historical factors) so why is it acceptable to do it to the christian faith?

you might not agree with it now, however you may find at some point in your life turning to a religion or wanting to but no longer able to. Start with something so fundemental and where does it stop?

Oh and don't join the WI as they have tradition, don't watch football as they have tradition.

[FunnysInTheGarden]

YABU. I am agnostic, but think that as a country we are Christian and should continue to be so. We need some kind of religious identity.

[HeadyEddie]

AKMD I think that is a daft generalisation. France is secular and the Nazis haven't taken over there yet (well, not since they barged in last time). Ok, France has some racism problems, particularly in the south, but so does modern Britain.

[AgentZigzag]

It's important to look at what we've got in a comparison with other societies Heady, because then we can see how enlightened we are.

[AKMD]

Many bad things are part of our heritage and culture.

You certainly implied that you count Christianity as a bad thing. Did you not mean to? In which case, what was the point of your post?

[nailak]

christian values themselves are changing though. so how can they provide moral references? when the morals change? like approach to female clergy, gay marriages, unwed mothers, dress code etc has all changed in c of e, so how can you consider it a point of reference that doesnt follow trends?