We should be moving towards a secular country.

So you’re not going to celebrate Christmas or Easter then?

I think when people say "ban religion" they mean "ban Christianity" don't they? They'd probably be happy to imprison Christ if he returned.

Our fair, tolerant and just society has been built on what Christianity gave to us when it first arrived on our shores. And before anyone brings up the evils of the RC church, we didn't start off by being RC, the ancient Church was not RC and RC doesn't represent Christianity.

Fill your boots and get rid of it though if that's what makes you happy.

Then see what replaces it. That's already starting to make the population cry into their milk.

I'm with you on the House of Lords, and (state funded) faith schools.

I have no issue with religious symbols and dress in public.

We can't afford to remove faith schools.

They were set up by various churches on land the churches owned and built by the churches.

The state pays money to them to act as state schools but the land and the buildings are owned by the churches that set them up.

If the government said that state education now had to include no religion then one of two things would happen

• the churches who own the schools would decide to go back to their original aim and educate children for free without support from the state (so would become effectively private schools that charged no fees)

• or the government would need to buy the land and buildings from the various churches to turn the schools into actual state schools which it cannot afford.

Neither of these options is good. So it will not happen.

I agree on number one. Number two doesn't make sense- lots of 'entertainment venues' other than religious places of worship are also registered charities, look at the many arts centre up and down the country.

Unsure on three.

Opposed to the others, I am a practising Christian and believe in religious freedom.

And retailers would go bust if you took away Christmas!!! No more B&M!

It won't ever happen

People have the right to do as they wish. So if they want to pray during lunch break or read a bible, then how will you stop that?

I think St Nicholas may be problematic for a number of reasons.
Firstly it is a belief in something that is indoctrination. Secondly, it does originate from a Christian figure. Thirdly, widely associated with Christmas in this country which is going to be problematic even though it’s increasingly secular in modern culture.

If you are going this far with separating church and state you can make your own festivals and holidays.

I think giving everyone a set uniform to wear would be best. Prevent any risk of individual thinking.

What about boiler suits?

So, 2/3rds of the country have some sort of religious belief BUT because you disagree with them OP we should go down the route you prefer.

I think not.

Would I be out in prison for encouraging my DD for putting out cookies for Santa Claus?

Would we also ban fairies? Just wondering as DD coat has fairies on it. On that note, what about Brownies as their sixes are after pixies? Would that be classed as brain washing too??

Presuming Halloween is definitely gone too. What about Ghost tours?

Would we also be destroying grave stones with religious symbols on too?

What about my wedding photos displayed in my home? Could that be classed as brain washing DD too??

It more or less is a secular country anyway. Imho it shouldn't be. I'm a Christian and I get really upset when people say they want all religion removed. But I put a smile on my face and carry on like always.

Having no religious beliefs is a belief system all of its own, why is it ok for children to be indoctrinated with that? We all ‘indoctrinate’ our children with our family beliefs and values. My DD loves fairies, magic and mysticism. One of her friends hates that and is very literal - both of their beliefs are fine. Whose system should we ban? Should we ban belief in Santa? Mass indoctrination of children with a bare faced lie?

I'd agree with 1 and 2 but I think you're kind of lumping all religions and all approaches to religion together.

Most religious schools, for example, are not indoctrinating children into a cult - if that were so many more people would be C of E, but most people who go to such schools don't believe in God and aren't religious. Ditto my kids went to a Jewish school, they don't believe in God and our kids are totally free to follow Judaism as a religion or not as they get older - people often view all religion through a Christian lens (ie, that faith in God is essential) but it doesn't always work like that, or think all religious upbringings are dogmatic and coercive. They can be, it's true, and it's awful when they are, but they don't have to be.

Also they assume people have to be old enough to 'choose' a religion but Judaism, for example (and Islam, I'd imagine) involve a lot of learning about reading the language and general context, especially if you're not in Israel, so actually you do need to grow up immersed in it culturally if you are to be able to participate, but that's not the same thing as it being demanded you believe in God or being told you'll go to Hell if you misbehave. Obviously, no one should demand a child follows a religion, but being taught about your religion and culture is not 'idoctrination' in that religion any more than breaking crockery at a Greek wedding is 'indoctrinating' kids who see it into being Greek!

The French model of trying to avoid religious dress and symbols seems to have backfired and been a source of division, so it isn't something I'd recommend.

I think following your faith is fine, but not in schools, work places, public institutions. Being religious does not entitle you to try and impose your beliefs on anyone else.
Schools should be secular, no arguments.
If your religious beliefs and practices conflict with the law of the land, the law takes precedence.
Set up a charity based on your faith if you want, just abide by the law in relation to charities.

What an outrageous claim! I am a practising Catholic and was given a Catholic education. If anything I think this has made me a tolerant person. My two closest friends don't share the same religious beliefs as me. One is an atheist; the other a Muslim.

Considering much of the worlds current chaos and war mongering stems from religious beliefs it’s fairly safe to say all religion is the evil so I’d have to agree with you OP.

I’m always shocked at how many seemingly educated professional people believe in a religion, madness when you think about it that even critical thinkers have their judgment clouded by stories and rituals for no reason other than faith.

I can’t vote either way because I think the ideal is somewhere in between what we have now and what you’d like.

Religion done right can be a wonderful thing for families and I think I can provide a strong sense of security, community, comfort in times of distress and other good things. There is nothing fundamentally wrong with following a religion. The negatives of it like intolerance and discrimination can be seen in people who don’t follow any religion so it would make no difference to that.

I think organised religion might be your thing OP, you seem very keen on strict rules. You should try it, one of the really authoritarian ones will probably be a good fit for you.

Religion is booming, it isn't "on the out" at all. It has merely taken on a few new guises. The progressive ideology of the extreme political left, for instance, has it's own special affirmations and inquisitors that root out heretical views. I believe that humans have an inherently religious nature; we just disagree who or what sits on the throne.

I remember years ago an air hostess was sacked for having a cross on display on a necklace.

Totally agree with you, except for #5, I wouldn’t demolish any old building

Any (practice of) religion
-that involves inflexible/heavy praying times, dietary restrictions, etc.
-that is intolerant about other religions/becoming an atheist/marrying outside etc.
makes it impossible to build a cohesive, progressive society

it’s not what you believe in, it’s how you believe in it

The western world managed to rein in Christianity and turn it into a secular religion that is naturally fading out, it has made well-meaning people naive about the dangers of non-secular religious practice sadly

I am not religious, however faith gives some people peace and purpose.

My local church is all about community and has done wonders in my area for kids and adults alike. They have organised clean ups in run down areas, they have a bike club for the kids, they run classes and courses for kids and adults. They make a huge difference in our community.

It almost makes me want to attend church but as I don't believe in god, as per religion, then it wouldn't make sense.

How would you enforce this? Should a religious family be persecuted for discussing their religious faith with their children?

An atheist and I think you are being massively unreasonable. I agree on the house of lords. I also agree on schools because I think it causes division. We can't educate people separately according to their religion then throw them into society together and expect them to get along. Better to have everyone educated together about all the major religions so that we all become more understanding of other's viewpoints. Your other ideas are way too far IMO.