to think there is nothing wrong with saying britain is a christian country

[Slutbucket]

I have no strong opinion about David Cameron but I don't think h e has said anything wrong in describing Britain as a christian country. Our main holidays are Christmas and easter, the head of state needs to be protestant and much of our history and traditions are based around the christian religious calendar. We are moving to a more secular society but I can't see these traditions dying out. I live in a very multi cultural area where all festivals are celebrated. I have friends from many cultures who are not alienated by the christian festivals. Many send Christmas cards as a mark of respect (and some just celebrate Christmas because they like the festival) some people are not religious but will celebrate these festivals in some form ie buy an Easter egg for their children, celebrate pancake day.

I'm Christian - in a pray every day, read the bible every day, go to church at least once every Sunday.

I don't believe we live in a Christian country at all! Yes, Christianity is the "go to" religion for many folk (Christenings, weddings, funerals) but that doesn't make you Christian (as the joke says, no more than going to Maccy Ds makes you a burger!).

Corus - I was going to point out that Richard Dawkins describes himself as a 'cultural Christian', that piece mentions it.

But having a large proportion of 'cultural Christians' in a population doesn't make this a 'Christian country'. Many of us are in addition to being cultural Christians also - to varying extents - cultural Ancient Greeks and Romans, or cultural Vikings. Our festivals - Christmas and Easter - are a rather wonderful blend of various cultures - Christmas is also Winter solstice and Yule, while Easter... well, the clue is in the name there, bunnies and eggs have nothing to do with Christianity!

Corus - I know what you mean. I used to be a Christian so I really had to think about it, but my DH has said almost exactly the same as you.

Yes, I have been thinking about this question of identity on the back of a thread about the difference between SNP and UKIP.

It is all about whether or not an identity can be constructed/declared without excluding others.

Does anyone know, for example, how Cornish is defined?

news

Incidentally, happy Thor's day everyone! Hope you all had a good Odin's day yesterday. Looking forward to celebrating a female goddess tomorrow.

Bring it on.

I have no objection to someone saying that Britain is a Christian country. I just wish that it was true.

I would say that Britain is a country with a Christian heritage and where the majority of people consider themselves to be Christian. That's not quite the same.

My experience is that most people who call themselves Christian are really just vague kind-of theists. Ie. they believe that there is some kind of vague creator being who looks after things a bit (to what degree or how they couldn't say). Because of the uk's history, they then identify that with being Christian.

My understanding is that being Christian is believing that some 2000 years ago a woman who had an affair with a roman soldier to get pregnant and at least had decency to tell her betrothed, but they don't like hearing that gave birth to someone who was crucified as a criminal, in some way thus redeeming all our sins, except that we' still got them and need to repent and is now up there somewhere looking out for his chosen few the definition of whom gets changed fairly regularly.

As you may tell I'm not a believer and think it's very very absurd.

But to get back to my point, most people who call themselves that are not Christian at all. Thank goodness.

Yes... I wonder how many self-identified Christians are like my neighbour, who when complaining about having to go to church to secure a place for her DD at the village school, said 'I'm a Christian.... I believe in God {er... so do Jews, Muslims, Hindus (several of them)..} , I'm a good person {eh? not a sinner in need of salvation?}'