We were having what seems to be a recurring discussion over a meal the other night. The topic: Britain is becoming less ‘Christian’.
The premis of the discussion isn’t that there are less Christians in Britain, although that would be true. The assertion is that Britain is a ‘Christian’ country and that it is becoming less so.
I have to say that my answer to that is ‘great’. I have never understood why government should have any place in religion of any kind. Religion and law don’t mix. I know that our laws are based on the biblical lawas but the law is open to change and development in a way that Liviticus just isn’t!
I would be happy if Britain was to be secular. Not because I don’t think Christianity has a place in society because I do. I think that removing the blurred lines would help the church to relise where it stands and what it stands for. The church would have to step up and take responsibility for teaching faith to children and adults,
If the UK became completely, ostentatiously secular to the point of removing the mace from the commons, might the church be at risk of scientific scrutiny? That is to say, if faith schools are making the scientific claim that Jesus was resurrected, would this and other such supernatural claims have to be brought before a committee in a democratic fashion if supported by the public purse?
Hi Geoff. I’m not sure that faith schools are making a scientific claim regarding the resurrection, more a claim of faith, based on historical evidence.
Christianity is already subject to all kinds of scruitiny and I doubt that this would either increase or decrease.
Faith schools teach the same curriculum as non-denominational schools and are subject to the same degree of inspection as any other school.