Keep The Faith magazine - Britain's leading publication about Black faith

Monday, 30 January 2012 19:57

Prime Minister David Cameron’s declaration that Britain was a Christian country has received a mixed welcome from church leaders, who believe that the status quo tells a different story.  In a speech to mark the 400^th anniversary of the King James Bible last December, Mr Cameron said that Britain was a Christian country; that “we should not be afraid to say so”, and that Christianity had made Britain a more tolerant country.

While welcoming the PM’s statement, Ade Omooba, Director of Christian Concern (which supports Christians experiencing discrimination), said that as Government leader he should have acknowledged the marginalisation of Christians. Mr Omooba said, “It would have been good for him to have spoken on what he would like to see in terms of how such faith, which has been so tolerant of people, is becoming one that is not tolerated. And that’s a shame. The country’s becoming more hostile to a faith that has given it so much, as stated by the PM.”

Peter Nembhard, Pastor of the ARC church in Forest Gate, East London, disagreed entirely with the PM’s statement, and said Britain used to be a Christian country but was now post-Christian.  “This country is more tolerant of, or gives more powers to, other religions than it actually does to the Church. Other faiths seem to have more respect than the Church does. I think it’s post-Christian.”

He pointed to the lack of tolerance towards Christians, and the disrespect for Christianity. “They would say derogatory stuff about the Bible or jokes about Christianity that they wouldn’t necessarily say against Islam or other faiths.”

In his speech, the PM also suggested that Christianity provided Britain with a moral framework, but Pastor Omooba said it was “sad” that Mr Cameron encouraged same-sex marriage - ruled out by the Bible.

Mr Omooba wants to see Christians being tolerated and not marginalised.  “Christians are living out their faith because their Christian faith is not just a disposable overcoat; it’s their lifestyle. And they are being challenged publicly.”