Lord Carey: Christians are bullied and marginalised
Christians and bullied and marginalised in the UK according to former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey, speaking at an event in Parliament, where 26 of his established Church of England bishops sit as of a right in the upper house.
He also criticised Muslim countries for marginalising Christians, but then bemoaned the “politically correct” inclusivity of Britain. He also appears to imply the political secularism was invented only in response to the 9/11 attacks on the US.
“What is happening in Western Europe is not persecution but a marginalising of faith which seeks to portray it as a matter of personal conscience only.
“Some examples of this originate from a mistaken but well-meant political correctness that is anxious not to upset minority faiths by seeming to ‘privilege’ Christianity.
“Hence the regular ‘pantomime’ every Christmas where some local Council or another absurdly gives Christmas another name.
“Of course, I not am denying for one moment that since 9/11 – and the date is significant – a new breed of atheists have moved into the public square arguing that Christianity, or any other faith, should have no role in public life.
“This strident and bullying campaign seeks to ban faith schools, in spite of the clear evidence that such schools perform better than many others. We have reached a point where politicians are now criticised and mocked for merely expressing their faith.
“It is clear that we must stand up against the marginalising of faith. We must constantly remind society, of its Christian roots and heritage. As I wrote recently, if we behave like doormats, don’t be surprised if we are treated as though we are…
“I simply cannot imagine any Prime Minister of England saying that his major concern is that Britain remains a Christian nation. And that reticence is a scandal and a disgrace.”
The British Humanist Association has responded to the remarks, saying that “our courts are increasingly finding little substance to claims of discrimination or marginalisation of Christians.”
http://www.humanism.org.uk/news/view/493
