There has been widespread criticism from MPs, church leaders and media commentators of an open letter organised by the British Humanist Association objecting to David Cameron’s assertion that Britain is a ‘Christian country’.
The letter was signed by fifty scientists, writers, politicians and philosophers who claimed that the Prime Minister’s comments risked “fostering alienation and division” within society.
Among the signatories were self-confessed atheists, Sir Terry Pratchett and Professor AC Graying. Their letter stated: “We object to his characterisation of Britain as a “Christian country and the negative consequences for politics and society that this engenders.”
“Moral framework”
The comments were criticised by Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali who said that the Prime Minister was right to highlight the need for “a moral and spiritual framework for our national life.”
“He is also right to say that Christianity provides a surer basis for accommodating people of other faiths than secularism. This is why people of other faiths prefer Britain being a Christian rather than a secular country,” he said.
Writing in the Telegraph, author Toby Young also criticised the letter’s claims, describing the signatories as a “liberal metropolitan elite” whose “moral authority” was challenged by Christianity.
“Secular priesthood”
“Of course, these [the signatories] aren't just any common-or-garden celebrities, they're also members of the liberal metropolitan elite, which makes them morally as well as socially superior – a kind of secular priesthood,” he wrote.
“Little wonder, then, that they object to Christianity being praised by David Cameron. Any traditional form of morality – anything that suggests there might be a higher source of authority than them when it comes to matters of right and wrong – is a direct challenge to their status.”
Senior Conservative MPs, Attorney General Dominic Grieve and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith said that the assertion that Britain was not a Christian country was “absurd”.
“Deluding themselves”
"Many of the underlying ethics of society are Christian-based and the result of 1,500 years of Christian input into our national life," Mr Grieve said.
"It is not going to disappear overnight. They [atheists] are deluding themselves."
The Prime Minister made the remarks in a speech given to church leaders at 10 Downing Street, during which he also urged Britain to be unashamedly “evangelical” about its Christian faith.
Andrew Marsh, Campaigns Director of Christian Concern told BBC Radio London it was remarkable that a small group of atheists could object to Britain being described as a 'Christian country' when 59 per cent of British people (3 out of 5) identity with Christianity.
Listen to Andrew Marsh on BBC Radio London here >