Former Archbishop of Canterbury: We are a Post-Christian Nation

The Daily Telegraph (UK) ^ | 4/26/14 | Tim Ross, Cole Moreton and James Kirkup

[marshmallow]

Exclusive: Former archbishop of Canterbury says Britain is no longer a nation of believers, as Telegraph poll reveals Christians are reluctant to express their faith

Britain is now a “post-Christian” country, the former archbishop of Canterbury has declared, as research suggests that the majority of Anglicans and Roman Catholics now feel afraid to express their beliefs.

In an interview with The Telegraph, Lord Williams of Oystermouth says Britain is no longer “a nation of believers” and that a further decline in the sway of the Church is likely in the years ahead.

While the country is not populated exclusively by atheists, the former archbishop warns that the era of regular and widespread worship is over.

His stark assessment comes after David Cameron ignited a national debate over the place of religion in British public life. The Prime Minister urged Christians to be “more evangelical” about their faith and claimed that Britain should be a more confidently Christian country.

His remarks, in the run-up to Easter, provoked a furious response from atheist and secular groups, and prompted a succession of senior politicians to give their views, culminating in Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrat leader, calling for the disestablishment of the Church of England.

[Vanders9]

I dont believe it ever was a Christian nation. I think a very significant proportion of the population are deists.

[Vanders9]

Its been in significant decline for about a century actually, but agreed in the last two generations the decline has accelerated.

[Vanders9]

I full well know that I could be pushed aside by rabid secularists in my current place of employment and deemed a racists or homophobe or whatever random and backwards excuse they could come up for attempting to suppress faith.

Oh yes. And that is coming too, I have no doubt. Having debated with some of the new generation of militant atheists on the web I have no doubt that if they ever have the power the likes of me will end up in some gulag or "mental hospital".

[melsec]

In the short term yes - in the long term Islam, if it breeds to a high enough level, forces itself on populations. Whilst Lewis is right on a personal level his statement does not really take into account an aggressive imposing political theology. You only need enough believers to force others into silence. Already politicians are too afraid to criticize Islam and try to accommodate it both socially and legally.

Cheers

Mel

[miss marmelstein]

A wonderful Catholic/Christian/English language tradition! A friend of mine in Oxfordshire was bragging to me how his beautiful little local church had no parishioners except a few old ladies. It was a real beauty too, with a tiny, wildflower-clogged churchyard and I could have cried at his remarks.

[ravenwolf]

• Overall, 52 per cent of respondents described themselves as either practising or non-practising Christians, while a further five per cent said they belonged to another faith group. Some 41 per cent said they were not religious. --------------------------------------------------------- 52 percent said they were either practicing or non practicing, what does practicing mean?, does it mean to do what Jesus said to do or does it mean going to Church. 41 percent said they were not religious, do you have to be religious to be a Christian?.