Is Britain a Christian country?

I have not thought that I would write about Great Britain on this blog. But British Prime Minister David Cameron wrote an interesting, though controversial, article in Church Times (See My Faith in Church of England), a publication that proudly declares itself as' the world's Anglican newspaper'. In this article, he argued that Christians should be more confident, more ambitious and more evangelical about their faith. Some of the more interesting parts for our purpose are copied below:

Some people feel that in this ever more secular age we shouldn't talk about these things. I completely disagree. I believe we should be more confident about our status as a Christian country, more ambitious about expanding the role of faith-based organisations, and, frankly, more evangelical about a faith that compels us to get out there and make a difference to people's lives.

And

But that doesn't mean the Church of England doesn't matter to me or people like me: it really does. I like its openness, I deeply respect its national role, and I appreciate its liturgy, and the architecture and cultural heritage of its churches. My parents spent countless hours helping to support and maintain the village church that I grew up next to, and my Oxfordshire constituency has churches - including some medieval masterpieces - that take your breath away with their beauty, simplicity, and serenity. They are a vital part of Britain's living history.

Religious nationalism and Britain today seem difficult to imagine together, notwithstanding what happened in the past. British nationalism was once based on religious faith. Many laws were based on Anglican Church or Christian commandments and Church regularly influenced foreign and domestic policies. Not only non-Christians but even non-Anglicans were persecuted and not allowed to follow their faith openly. Non-Anglicans were also barred by law from important posts in the realm. The monarch was the head (supreme governor) of the Anglican Church and took his/her duties as 'defender of the faith' (against other faiths/liberal ideas) very seriously.

Source: Anglican Church Embraces Working Relationship with Church of England

Though British nationalism today has lost its religious basis, British monarch (Queen Elizabeth II) is still head of the Anglican Church and Britain has an official church and state religion. As many as twenty-six bishops and archbishops are members of the British Parliament (House of Lords). These 'Lords Spiritual' not only say prayers but also take part in the proceedings. According to Church of England (as Anglican Church is called in England), these lords perform an important function in the House of Lords (See Bishops in the House of Lords):

Their presence in the Lords is an extension of their general vocation as bishops to preach God's word and to lead people in prayer. Bishops provide an important independent voice and spiritual insight to the work of the Upper House and, while they make no claims to direct representation, they seek to be a voice for all people of faith, not just Christians.     

So, is Britain a Christian country as PM Cameron says? There is no denying the fact that majority of British people are Christians so in that sense, it can be called a Christian country ( See Religion in England and Wales 2011)


In Great Britain, (See We believe in God)

Certainly, Britain is not a Christian country in the sense that Christianity influences affairs of state as for example Islam in Iran or Saudi Arabia? So, what Cameron means? The way Cameron explains his concept of Christian country appears innocuous. Who can disagree with religion's (or Anglican Christianity's) utility as psychological support; motivator to help others and to lead a moral life. Church's role in social welfare, health and education cannot be denied. So, why was his article controversial?

More than fifty prominent Britishers answered this question and let me quote them directly (See David Cameron fosters division by calling Britain a 'Christian country’) 

SIR – We respect the Prime Minister’s right to his religious beliefs and the fact that they necessarily affect his own life as a politician. However, we object to his characterisation of Britain as a “Christian country” and the negative consequences for politics and society that this engenders.

Apart from in the narrow constitutional sense that we continue to have an established Church, Britain is not a “Christian country”. Repeated surveys, polls and studies show that most of us as individuals are not Christian in our beliefs or our religious identities.
At a social level, Britain has been shaped for the better by many pre-Christian, non-Christian, and post-Christian forces. We are a plural society with citizens with a range of perspectives, and we are a largely non-religious society.

Constantly to claim otherwise fosters alienation and division in our society. Although it is right to recognise the contribution made by many Christians to social action, it is wrong to try to exceptionalise their contribution when it is equalled by British people of different beliefs. This needlessly fuels enervating sectarian debates that are by and large absent from the lives of most British people, who do not want religions or religious identities to be actively prioritised by their elected government.