• David Cameron Says UK Is a Christian Nation Despite 51% Being Athiest
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[quote=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-16224394] David Cameron says the UK is a Christian country David Cameron called himself a "committed" but "vaguely practising" Christian David Cameron has said the UK is a Christian country "and we should not be afraid to say so". In a speech in Oxford on the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible, the prime minister called for a revival of traditional Christian values to counter Britain's "moral collapse". He said "live and let live" had too often become "do what you please". The PM said it was wrong to suggest that standing up for Christianity was "somehow doing down other faiths". Describing himself as a "committed" but only "vaguely practising" Christian, the PM admitted he was "full of doubts" about big theological issues. 'Don't do God' But he staunchly defended the role of religion in politics and said the Bible in particular was crucial to British values. How religious is the UK? Christian: 72% No religion: 16% Muslim: 3% Hindu: 1% (Figures from 2001 Census) In British Attitudes Survey in 2010, [b]43% were Christian and 51% no religion[/B] "We are a Christian country and we should not be afraid to say so," he told the audience at Christ Church. "Let me be clear: I am not in any way saying that to have another faith - or no faith - is somehow wrong. "I know and fully respect that many people in this country do not have a religion. "And I am also incredibly proud that Britain is home to many different faith communities, who do so much to make our country stronger. "But what I am saying is that the Bible has helped to give Britain a set of values and morals which make Britain what it is today." Mr Cameron said people often argued that "politicians shouldn't 'do God'" - a reference to a comment famously made by former No 10 spin doctor Alistair Campbell when Tony Blair was asked about his religion. "If by that they mean we shouldn't try to claim a direct line to God for one particular political party, they could not be more right," the PM said. "But we shouldn't let our caution about that stand in the way of recognising both what our faith communities bring to our country, and also just how incredibly important faith is to so many people in Britain." Mr Cameron also said it was "easier for people to believe and practise other faiths when Britain has confidence in its Christian identity". "Many people tell me it is much easier to be Jewish or Muslim here in Britain than it is in a secular country like France," he said. "Why? Because the tolerance that Christianity demands of our society provides greater space for other religious faiths too. "And because many of the values of a Christian country are shared by people of all faiths and indeed by people of no faith at all." [/quote] Personally I don't think is right, the country may have been founded on Christian values but majority of people are not Christian these days I look forward to the 2011 census results so we can see what the actual percentages are
Why are so many political leaders being retarded dumbfucks these days?
All throughout my education at normal state schools I had to sing Christian hymns almost every morning; until about 10/11 Christianity was the only religion I learned about; and I had countless talks from local clergymen. So yeah, although I consider myself an atheist I would agree that this is still a highly religious country.
This was posted before, [url]http://www.facepunch.com/threads/1148240[/url].
Everybody always puts Christian on the surveys, but they never go to church or actually hold any Christian values.
[QUOTE=samframpton;33764276]All throughout my education at normal state schools I had to sing Christian hymns almost every morning; until about 10/11 Christianity was the only religion I learned about; and I had countless talks from local clergymen. So yeah, although I consider myself an atheist I would agree that this is still a highly religious country.[/QUOTE] i've gone on two school trips to churches, one trip i went to like 10 different ones no one payed attention and occasionally someone made fun of the preist
[QUOTE=Arsonist;33764251] In a speech in Oxford on the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible, the prime minister called for a revival of traditional Christian values to counter Britain's [b]"moral collapse".[/b][/QUOTE] It disturbs me that the leaders of the country think that morals derive from religious belief. If anything, well behaving atheists have better morals, as they don't have the incentive of heaven for behaving well.
[QUOTE=ddrl46;33764282]This was posted before, [url]http://www.facepunch.com/threads/1148240[/url].[/QUOTE] Ah balls, didn't spot that
surveys do not present a realistic picture of religious adherrants I know a few people (not my friends, as I like my friends to be strong minded and capable of questioning things) that answer Christian to surveys or when asked just because their family claim to be and not because they have ever looked into it themselves or decided or let it be a part of their lives. In my experience the... stricter religions (where family is more involved and perhaps even to the point of seeing honor killings as negotiable) I can understand this behaviour being born out of fear and not ignorance and people are more likely to have actually looked into what they answer because they were forced into it as a child. I think there are probably far more atheists than the survey conveys or even "apathists" (don't give a fuck if there is a god or not). As with the "stricter religions" I mentioned above, I would not be surprised if many of the people that maintain an appearance that suggests they are religious (hindu dot, full hijabs, etc.) often do so merely due to tradition and to keep in good stead with their zealous families.
Cameron do you have a broken brick piece lodged in your brain or something?
So, does this mean that the best way to promote atheism is to put people in a christian country? I guess it make sense, the USA is supposed to be secular and look where thats gotten us. The persecution complex doesnt function when its the official religion.
I grew up despising religion due to having it rammed down my throat the entire time I was at primary school. I openly opposed the compulsory prayers and hyms they bombarded us with. Fucking cannot stand indoctrination and it makes my blood boil when people like my 5 year old sister are coming home from school brainwashed. Fuck.
[QUOTE=Van-man;33764255]Why are so many political leaders being retarded dumbfucks these days?[/QUOTE] All the good politicians took a popularity dive because of the recession, meaning all retards got voted into powerful positions.
No religion doesn't necessarily mean athiest
[QUOTE=orcywoo6;33764544]I grew up despising religion due to having it rammed down my throat the entire time I was at primary school. I openly opposed the compulsory prayers and hyms they bombarded us with. Fucking cannot stand indoctrination and it makes my blood boil when people like my 5 year old sister are coming home from school brainwashed. Fuck.[/QUOTE] 9 AM Singing What do we do with the drunken sailor Every fucking day until I was twelve. We really need to work out how to not ram religion down people's throats.
[QUOTE=orcywoo6;33764544]I grew up despising religion due to having it rammed down my throat the entire time I was at primary school. I openly opposed the compulsory prayers and hyms they bombarded us with. Fucking cannot stand indoctrination and it makes my blood boil when people like my 5 year old sister are coming home from school brainwashed. Fuck.[/QUOTE] This, I went to a Catholic school and had it shoved down my throat until I was 16, I just believed it all until I was about 11 and from then I still respected it but opposed the way they tried to pray and shit. Also, I think it's stupid even classing a nation by a religion, there's more than 60,000,000 people in this country, all with different beliefs, what's the point in calling it a Christian country?
[QUOTE=matt.ant;33764880]No religion doesn't necessarily mean athiest[/QUOTE] No one said it did? it does however mean 'not christian'
[QUOTE=Contag;33764921]No one said it did? it does however mean 'not christian'[/QUOTE] The title says it does..
[QUOTE=matt.ant;33764941]The title says it does..[/QUOTE] It also spelt atheist wrong, I'd take the title with an ocean of salt
[QUOTE=matt.ant;33764880]No religion doesn't necessarily mean athiest[/QUOTE] Exactly, there are people without a religion who believe in supernatural beings and there are religions that don't believe in anything supernatural (like some variants of Buddhism for instance).
[QUOTE=Rage.;33764907]This, I went to a Catholic school and had it shoved down my throat until I was 16, I just believed it all until I was about 11 and from then I still respected it but opposed the way they tried to pray and shit. Also, I think it's stupid even classing a nation by a religion, there's more than 60,000,000 people in this country, all with different beliefs, what's the point in calling it a Christian country?[/QUOTE] I hope it was only religion being shoved down your throat at a catholic school..
[QUOTE=ElectronicG19;33764294]Everybody always puts Christian on the surveys, but they never go to church or actually hold any Christian values.[/QUOTE] I used to do that too. Before i learned what Atheism is.
Don't you Brits still have a state church?
Legally the UK is so I dunno why people are moaning. If the UK was a legally secular country (like the US for example) and he came out and said this I could understand the outrage people are having over it. I mean come on, we have a state religion with the head of state at the top of it.
[QUOTE=Robber;33765225]Exactly, there are people without a religion who believe in supernatural beings and there are religions that don't believe in anything supernatural (like some variants of Buddhism for instance).[/QUOTE] Isn't Buddhism about spirit and soul and shit though?
[QUOTE=AceOfDivine;33766369]Isn't Buddhism about spirit and soul and shit though?[/QUOTE] Doesn't mean it's a theist religion.
Can't wait for collapse of religion all together we will finally have peace
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