Lord Carey criticises PM for “feeding anxieties” of Christians
Lord Carey has expressed his concern that the Prime Minister’s actions are having the effect of increasing feelings of persecution amongst Christians in the UK.
The former Archbishop of Canterbury claimed in an article for the Daily Mail that David Cameron is “driving law-abiding Christians into the ranks of the malcontents and alienated”.
“Aiding and abetting”
Lord Carey said: “I like David Cameron and believe he is genuinely sincere in his desire to make Britain a generous nation where we care for one another and where people of faith may exercise their beliefs fully.
“But it was a bit rich to hear that the Prime Minister has told religious leaders that they should ‘stand up and oppose aggressive secularisation’ when it seems that his government is aiding and abetting this aggression every step of the way”.
Poll
Lord Carey referred to a recently published ComRes poll, which revealed that more than two-thirds of Christians feel they are part of a ‘persecuted minority.’
The former Archbishop states that Mr Cameron has done “more than any other recent political leader to feed these anxieties”.
Examples
He cites a number of examples, including the disparity between his stated view in support of freedom to wear the cross at work and the failure of Government lawyers to adopt the same position.
Lord Carey wrote: “In spite of his oft-repeated support for the right of Christians to wear the cross, the lawyers acting for the Coalition argued only months ago in the Strasbourg court that those sacked for wearing a cross against their employer’s wishes should simply get another job”.
He also made reference tothe attempt to convert the Parliamentary chapel of St Mary’s Undercroft into a multi-faith room and the lack of protection for Christian teachers and registrars in the same-sex marriage bill.
“If this means the removal of Christian symbols from the chapel to accommodate all faiths and even humanist ceremonies this would amount to changing the chapel fundamentally, even to banishing the Christian faith from the seat of political power.
“This would have implications for Her Majesty, the Queen, and could place her in a very difficult position as the chapel is a Royal Peculiar under her direct patronage”.
“Strong legal opinion also suggests that Christian teachers, who are required to teach about marriage, may face disciplinary action if they cannot express agreement with the new politically-correct orthodoxy”.
“Alienation”
Lord Carey expressed grave concerns about the Government’s approach to marriage and religious freedom, saying it could result in “the alienation of a large minority of people who only a few years ago would have been considered pillars of society”.
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