Does Christian privilege exist in the UK? If so why and what impact does it have?

[SilverBirchWithout]

This idea came up during a discussion in Site Stuff earlier today, where it was suggested it might be more helpful to start a specific thread.

There is strong evidence that Christian privilege exists. Christian views and values pervade our law making, education system, and bank holidays without a doubt. But what about the way society and our upbringing teaches us to recognise and respect people with a faith, at what point is deference to someone's belief damaging to the rights of someone who doesn't share those views?

I personally identify as generally an atheist with strong personal values, a spiritual nature (but not involving any deities or woo) and a mixture of non-conformist influences from my childhood.

I'm genuinely interested in the whole idea of Christian privilege and welcome anyone's views.

To be scrupulously fair, it's not all Christians that are taking away SilverBirch's right to bodily autonomy, it's male Christians. Misogyny and religion go hand in hand, IMO and ime.

I would have said there was no such thing as Christian privilege but having read the earlier thread and some posts on this one (yes I am listening Briiick!) have had to revise that but I do think it is now largely maintained by tradition. Although I am not a huge fan of institutionalised religion or of the monarchy I would be concerned that their removal would lead, bot to a lasting secular society, but would create a vacuum that other, more extreme, unpleasant interests would seek to fill

I do also think, as twelly said that Christians and their faith can be openly insulted in ways that would be condemned as religious intolerance if it was aimed at other faiths

Absolutely right Vonny. It's deep rooted misogyny. And it continues to exist in the only ever female First Minister.

For shame.

But that's one of the things I find most irksome about Christian privilege Kummer - this idea that all that's standing between us atheists and a complete moral and physical break down of society is that the UK used to be a Christian country. That that's what's holding us in check. Respectfully, that's bullhickkey.

And come on, have you not heard anyone openly insulting Islam this week?

I must state that I am not against the "Christian" values of respect, peace and equality.

I just state that I am yet to see examples of it in my own government.

Yep, deep rooted church supported misogyny.

Madonnas is on ch5 offending christians with Like a Prayer at the moment

"make objections etc to Christianity this freedom is not applied to other religions." I am always baffled by this. The press and the internet is full of criticism- often very offensive criticism- of other religions, particularly Islam. Britain First, anyone? UKIP? Someone shared a picture of a dog on my newsfeed with the caption "I buy a Muslim yesterday and I had to lick my arse for half an hour to take the taste away" I reported it but apparantly it didn't break any Facebook rules.....

Hey Lonny

Wanna be BFFs 4eva?

bit not buy.

Bertrand You too.

I wouldn't for minute suggest that the behaviour of ordinary people would change if Britain ceased to be a Christian country Lonny but would be concerned if it might make society more unstable as different groups made attempts to gain power. I suspect if it went to a referendum the vote would be for the status quo

I personally don't think religious sensibilities should have any influence whatsoever in our law-making. An elected representative ought to be obliged to state their religious affiliations on the Register of Interests.

Political parties that solely reflect one set of religious beliefs should have controls put in place to prevent them impacting the lives of people who do not share that belief. I certainly think that any medical procedures and decisions should be left between a medical practioner (and their controlling body) and the patient. No religion has the right to interfere in that decision.

SilverBirch I absolutely agree with you. So does the majority of the legislative assembly. Yet, the motion doesn't pass.

Why does no one question this?

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jan/07/the-guardian-view-on-abortion-northern-irelands-shame

In answer to your comment silverbirch yes I do believe what I posted, people may disagree with Christianity in a number of ways and the reasons why they disagree can be diverse - the point is they are allowed to and they are free to. Whilst the Church of England as that du what we are speaking of may make comments and refute the points made this is discussion, the state also allows this, no one is accused of anything. This is not the same when anyone is critical of other religions, I think there should be equality

Equality. Hahaha!

Is the UK really majority Christian anymore? Am trying to think back to the last census.

Yy to the 'Christian values'. As if these only exist because of the historic dominance of Christianity. Without which we would be uncivilised.

People do insult all religions. It's just less tolerated in some religions.

I completely accept the right to religious freedom. But that goes hand in hand with my right to question that religion.

tilder by UK "Christian values" I am unable (in NI) to access the same heath services that my brethren on the mainland are able to.

Call that "Christian"?

I'm not that convinced by the Christian values argument either.

My personal values are shaped by my political beliefs and non-religious upbringing. I too belief in respect, kindness, supporting others, and equality.

I'm not sure belief in a controlling force that is basically benevolent but will make decisions that you have to accept is helpful in constructing a democratic society. I don't get the argument that without Christianity our society would not have appropriate values.

The Anglican Church, all over the world, has throughout its history adapted it's values to reflect the society and community in which it finds itself. Our basic view of a liberal nurturing Christian church is a reflection of our society as a whole rather than the Church. You only need to look at the Christian churches of the U.S. and Africa to see that difference.

I'm getting my beliefs and believes in a muddle there ^^

She says it better than I ever could.

We live in a country where the head of state (Queen) is in place as God's representative. All the powers of the parliament are delegated by the Queen - we are, as part of our unwritten constitution, run by a Christian God.
Generally we have very little christianity in our rulers.
The USA, which does not allow any religion in its leaders, as in its written constitution, is a much more influenced space.
Anyone who thinks other religions would be more reasonable, feminist or better is sadly deluding themselves.
I think we are very lucky there is so little religious interference in our lives.

I don't think any of us are advocating another religion to take Christianity's place, We are contemplating the benefits of a secular society.

I'm not sure about the concept of rulers, I prefer to think of them as elected representatives.

It's an interesting point about the U.S. Do other countries who share he Queen as their Head of State define themselves as Christian countries, I wonder? I'm off to Wikipedia for a look.

I'm all for getting rid of our constitutional Monarchy, and having an elected Head of State/Figurehead. I probably hadn't thought that this was a necessary step to becoming a more secular country and removing Christians rights to influence our laws, education system, and medical care.

Australia, New Zealand and Canada all do not have an official state religion and self-identify as Secular States.

So it seems perfectly legitimate to separate the Monarch's role has Head of State from her position as Defender of the Faith etc.

Not sure about them being secular states:

The Australian constitution and the New Zealand one (I think also Canada, can't b arsed to google) allow the governor general, on behalf of the queen, to remove the government. In 1975, the governor general in Australia exercised these powers, dismissed the Labour prime minister and made the Liberal head of opposition the prime minister.

The governor general gets power from the queen, who gets her power from God.

Therefore all those countries are Christian.

We do not have elected representatives except as allowed by the crown - the queen has the power to dissolve parliament and needs to sign every bill into law.

I'm a republican as well -- and for precisely those reasons carol . Power comes from the will of the people, not a 'god'. (Although I do actually respect both the Queen and her hats.)

A quarter of the population in England and Wales reported they had no religion at all in the 2011 census, with 60% saying they felt Christian.

In Scotland almost 40% of people said no religion - up 9% from 2001.

People stating no religion were the highest-growing groups (not Moslems as the Fail would have you believe) in both censuses, iirc.

Silver BFF4EVA