Each week we ask two writers with contrasting opinions to answer the question...

CHRISTINAH ADEGASOYE
YES!

THERE ARE clear examples of Christians who have been socially excluded due to their religious beliefs, because of the views they choose to live by which fully correlates with the Bible. A Christian is a person who has chosen to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, so for many it is a way of life and an effort to validate one’s character. However, there is a trend of growing opposition to active evangelical Christians in the UK.

Christians’ rights are often seen as secondary to the rights of minority religious groups.

There was the recent case of the Christian owner of a café in Blackpool who chose to display Bible verses on the TV screen as an act of his faith. He was reprimanded for allegedly ‘offending’ customers and holding ‘homophobic views’. This example is a direct attempt to eliminate Christianity out of public life. Britain is referred to as a multicultural society, but where is the freedom of expression when we are being told what to think and say?

Unjust discrimination against people because of their Christian faith is a direct attack and discrimination against their key identity. This lack of understanding contributes towards the cause of marginalisation of Christians, and it needs to be addressed.

David Cameron has threatened to cut aid to African countries who do not adhere to gay rights, yet in those very same countries Christians are being persecuted for not compromising their spiritual faith. The same occurrence is still present in the UK, so why shouldn’t Christians have the same equal rights? Why are they continuing to face intolerance in Britain?

The media are also responsible for inciting humiliation amongst Christians in TV dramas. Fictional characters are often depicted as objects of ridicule and moral hypocrites. In previous shocking instances, TV soaps featured Christians as violent extremists.

The Christian faith is vital for a 'multicutural' Britain but when the public are only presented with prejudice towards Christians, it only fuels discrimination. Christians will continue to face the isolation of their religion – you can’t blame the frustration of sensitivity shown towards other religious groups.

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MARISSA FORRESTER
NO!

I OFTEN get the impression that people think Christianity is under attack. How can this be when we live in a multicultural society where people have the freedom to worship and subscribe to whatever faith they choose?

The Church of England has been the head of this country since I can remember, and our current prime minister welcomes the values of Christianity not only concerning public policy but also politics.

A number of Christians have made public claims that they were forced out of their jobs or faced police investigation because of their traditional beliefs in recent years. However, not all won their cases in employment tribunals or courts, and even members of the Church of England have considered these claims pretentious.

Why? Because the need to play victim is unjustified, especially when Christians elsewhere in the world are facing far worse persecution.

Many evangelical Christians also claim that the media encourages secular perspectives through soaps, dramas and other forms of entertainment. Storylines featuring gay adoption and other controversial issues that may offend Christians are not gratifying these lifestyles but merely offering an audience a true depiction of issues and topics that are common in the diverse contemporary society we live in.

Recently, Rev Dr Brown, director of mission and public affairs, made comments to a Parliamentary inquiry, saying that overall England is still a “comfortable” place for Christians, and that part of their feelings of being ill-treated by secular authorities could be down to their early history of persecution or anxiety about their waning power. He also said that when a body that formerly had its world view taken as normal for most people, feels it’s no longer in the driving seat, there is naturally a sense of unease, anxiety and loss.

Christianity once had an influence on the way people lived in this country, but this was at a time when the majority believed in the fundamental values of the religion. Today, the majority, it seems, no longer believes in claims made by any religion. Modern society tilts to a more rational approach toward religious beliefs.

It is not compulsory to endorse faith in the UK, so it is essential that we respect the rights of others.

The civilisation of society can be successful with good governance and people relating to one another with a sense of peace, respect, compassion, principle and love. We certainly do not need religion to adhere to this.

*THE 'HEAD TO HEAD''COLUMN IS BY THE LONDON 360 REPORTERS
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