We should be moving towards a secular country.

[titbumwillypoo]

In the last census a third of the country identified as having no religion. This is a trend that is likely to increase in the future. I believe we should be moving towards having a complete separation of Church and state.

1. Removal of any religious leaders from the House of Lords. Believing in an invisible man is no qualification for having influence on the laws of our country.
2. Removal of charity status for all religions. Other entertainment venues don't get charity status, why should they? If they have a good business model for their club then the membership should be enough.
3. Removal of Faith schools. We don't let children drink or smoke or drive cars until they are mature enough to make that choice for themselves so why is it ok to allow them to be indoctrinated into these cults from such a young age?
4. Ban children from organised worship - See point 3
5. Ban religious symbols and dress from our streets. We don't allow nudists to wander around our city centres expressing their beliefs because it can cause offence so why do religions get to do it? What people do in their own home is up to them but publicly displaying your gang colours is divisive to a wider society. AIBU - Religion has a place in society AINBU - Religion is on the out and the faster it's gone the better.

Sorry, no room at the Inn!

Prison is full

The only thing I agree with is your first proposal (and maybe bits of your second if specific religious institutions do not engage in charitable works -although a lot do, so they could keep their status)

I would like to see a formal separation of religion and state but individuals should be free to follow a religion, or not, as they choose

It doesn’t have to be banned just not part of institutions or gaining special status in society. People would still be free to believe whatever they wish.

I can sort of understand point 1. But I’m not really sure a handful of religious leaders is the priority problem for the HoL.

At no point did I say ban religion, just protect children and wider society from it.

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.

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

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.

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

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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??

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.

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

What about boiler suits?

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.

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?

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