The Queen began celebrations to mark her 60-year reign today (15 Feb) by publicly declaring her support for the established Church, which she said was “commonly under-appreciated” despite being "woven into the fabric of this country."
Delivering a speech at Lambeth Palace, home of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Queen commented that faith provided “critical guidance” in life and played a key role in "creating and sustaining communities" throughout the UK.
She said: "The concept of our established Church is occasionally misunderstood and, I believe, commonly under-appreciated.
"Faith plays a key role in the identity of many millions of people, providing not only a system of belief but also a sense of belonging.
The church had "created an environment for other faith communities and indeed people of no faith to live freely."
A calling from God
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, commented that faith was "at the heart" of the Queen’s understanding of her role, which he believed was a calling from God.
"The personal faith to which you have so regularly alluded entails the conviction of a calling from God to do what you do and to be what you are”, he said.
The Archbishop also commented that the Queen clearly demonstrated that "being religious is not eccentric or abnormal."
Challenges
The Queen’s comments will be welcomed by many Christians after a week where secularists have challenged the place of Christianity in the nation.
The High Court passed a ruling on 10 February that it was “unlawful” for local town councils to begin their formal meetings with prayer, breaking from hundreds of years of tradition.
On the same day, two Christian guesthouse owners, Peter and Hazelmary Bull, lost their appeal against last year’s ruling that they had discriminated unlawfully against a non-married same-sex couple by only allowing married couples to rent double rooms in their guesthouse.
Yesterday, Baroness Warsi, chairman of the Conservative Party, said that British society was under threat from a rising tide of "militant secularisation" reminiscent of "totalitarian regimes."
Source
Resources
Christian Concern: Religious Freedom
Christian Concern: Sexual Orientation