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 think assuming that religion is a normal thing is very divisive. I really hope this country doesnt get any more religious than it already is; its one of the worst developments in the last few years IMHO. I hold no loyalty to christianity over any other faith: they all are capable of awful effects on public life- look at the christians claiming the right to exclude gay couples from adoption, not allow them in their B&Bs, not have to conduct civil partnerships, etc.

I would like a secular state. In particular, secular schools. The issues allegedly happening in Birmingham around islamic education in state schools are bound to happen, if we allow religious schools. How can we say its fine to have a catholic primary school with all the prayer before lessons and so forth, but not fine to have a muslim primary school? I bet there are just as many muslims as catholics, certainly in birmingham. Its unfair. Schools should be secular, and relilgion should be a private family choice.

" People stil basically work this way and believe "ish"."

they absolutely don't. sorry.

Even if quite a lot of people do 'believe-ish' that isn't a rational reason to allow specific religions to control many schools, or have a privileged position in regard to political decision making (not just the Bishops in the HoL - 'interfaith' groups being consulted on a local level with no non-religious position represented for instance)

The only people I know who would term themselves Christian and believe in the divinity of Christ go to church regularly. I do know two weekly attenders.

Meanwhile, the C of E carries out 7000 infant Christenings per month. and many of those will be school purposes here

But 813, 200 babies were born in the UK in 2011-12 www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23618487

yes - part of being a Christian is regular attendance of church and involvement in the church community - it's always been a central part of being a Christian

how else do you confess, ask for forgiveness, openly and loudly worship God and publicly declare your faith, take sacrament, give your tithe?

it's not just active worship either - Churches in the community can perform Christian acts and spread the word (as commanded by God)

My mother is a good example of this - she runs a lunch club once a week from Church (meals are £1, kids eat free and there are activities for kids) she helps with the food bank and she attend church weekly if not more

it's not 'Christian' to avoid church!

The C of E's rigorous record-keeping is helping me develop some affection for them!

www.churchofengland.org/media/1737985/attendancestats2011.pdf

In 2011, according to the C of E, 12% of babies were baptised into the Church of England. There's a coloured coded chart to show the distribution by region. Figure 15 shows how the rate of infant baptisms has fallen since 1930, when it was 70%. There has been a small increase in baptisms of children.

Statistically, and historically Britain is a Christian country. A very tolerant and liberal minded Christian country compared to many other countries of all sorts of secular and religious persuasions. Hence us being allowed, able and not afraid to have this discussion. This is also why it is developing a multicultural identity alongside it's Christian Heritage because of the level of tolerance exhibited here means it's an attractive place to live and bring up children.

It is possible to be both an multicultural society and appreciate that the Christian ethos has formed this opportunity. I live in a multi faith and multi nationality family and those of the family that have moved here from abroad are well aware of the advantages this tolerant land has.
I'm not a fan of David Cameron and find it a cynical ploy to bring religion into the debate at this moment in time.
However we must be all aware to deny that this is a Christian country is to risk losing sight of all the advantages it has brought us.
As for the argument that the christianity some how stole the pagan festivals rites and seasons. Christianity didn't happen overnight it was a gradual process with evidence of traces of Christianity from 300 AD plus in these isles, it would have been perfectly normal to have more than one belief happily coexisting, as it does in the 21st century my household and thousands of others. People always love a good reason to celebrate and would have insisted on merging old festivals with new, thats just human nature rather than some devious take over plot. So lets all value what we have an allow the new to enrich it, without letting the politicians capitalise on division.

in answer to the last two questions. from kim147
What do you mean by statistically? A majority of people have no religion. What statistics are you using?

Statistically as in the UK 2011 census

• 59% of residents of England and Wales described themselves as Christian. In Scotland, the figure was 54% and n Northern Ireland 83% described themselves as Christian.

And the Christian ethos? Burning women at the stake, killing Catholics, Jews etc. Slavery? Intolerance to homosexuality. Attitudes to females.

Christian Ethos as in:
Ethos as the identity the values and convictions that unite and motivate the way people relate and the overall 'atmosphere', or culture.
Which just as our legal frame work is based on the ten commandments and the overriding "love they neighbour as yourself".
These laws and ethics are specifically to avoid all of the atrocities kim147 mentions above.
Which I think you will find have been hideously present in all communities secular and religious and are product of ignorance and intolerance which comes from people of all creeds and political stances.

With regards to homosexuality I think you need to perhaps take a look at the opinions of UK church leaders. -
Archbishop of Wales Dr Barry Morgan has lent his support to gay marriage, saying: “All life-long committed relationships deserved the welcome, pastoral care and support of the Church."
The Archbishop of Wales has lent his support to gay marriage today, saying: “All life-long committed relationships deserved the welcome, pastoral care and support of the Church." 18/4/2014

So although not perfect the religious community in most cities and towns in the UK have an army of unseen volunteers many of them from church communities acting as unpaid social workers and Food banks battling to fill the void that governments either ignore or create. so i'm thankful that religious communities act as a body to keep the government in check and question the validity of it's acts.

"David Cameron has been blamed by 27 Anglican bishops for creating a "national crisis" which has seen 500,000 people visit food banks since Easter last year.'

www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/feb/20/bishops-blame-cameron-food-bank-crisis

And yes - many groups including Christian groups play a valuable role in society with the poor.
Yes of course they do kim147, absolutely! As I explained before we are a mixed faith marriage a practising Muslim and a practicing Christian.
I'm responding to the thread title question with an opinion. I'm allowed to hold the opinion that a multi-cultural society has formed and thrived thanks to the Christian heritage of this land.
Unfortunately my muslim family has suffered more intolerance and racial prejudice in secular European countries. Their UK experience has been positive and they have identified the Christian culture here as being the reason for their acceptance. This was my first experience of mumsnet and I'm surprised at the immediate antagonistic tone, I had assumed this was a supportive forum.

As I said I've never been on here before of course I'm not expecting a love in of agreement but was naive enough to think the would be pleasant discussion and sharing of ideas.
I have no idea what AIBU is.

Exactly so.

Yes, there was a Victorian tradition of philanthropy which was often connected to different forms of Christianity.

Welcome to MN, Mumpsaway.