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Christians launch defence of faith 'under attack' Christians launch defence of faith 'under attack'
(about 2 hours later)
Christians who believe their faith is "under attack" in Britain are launching a campaign to defend it.Christians who believe their faith is "under attack" in Britain are launching a campaign to defend it.
Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey will launch "Not Ashamed Day" outside the House of Lords.Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey will launch "Not Ashamed Day" outside the House of Lords.
Campaigners say a mounting number of cases of workers being disciplined over their beliefs show Christianity is being "airbrushed" from UK society.Campaigners say a mounting number of cases of workers being disciplined over their beliefs show Christianity is being "airbrushed" from UK society.
The National Secular Society said "zealots" were wrong to claim the faith was being deliberately undermined.The National Secular Society said "zealots" were wrong to claim the faith was being deliberately undermined.
The day, organised by Christian Concern, will kick off a campaign to urge Christians to "wear their faith with pride".The day, organised by Christian Concern, will kick off a campaign to urge Christians to "wear their faith with pride".
'Under attack'
Lord Carey will launch a leaflet that warns Britain's Christian culture is "under attack". Later in the day copies will be delivered to Downing Street and Buckingham Palace, followed by a lobbying event in Parliament.Lord Carey will launch a leaflet that warns Britain's Christian culture is "under attack". Later in the day copies will be delivered to Downing Street and Buckingham Palace, followed by a lobbying event in Parliament.
Lord Carey said hostility towards the religion came from a combination of "well-meaning" political correctness, multiculturalism and "overt opposition to Christianity".Lord Carey said hostility towards the religion came from a combination of "well-meaning" political correctness, multiculturalism and "overt opposition to Christianity".
In the leaflet, Lord Carey, who retired as Archbishop of Canterbury in 2002, says: "I am proud of our tradition of tolerance and our historic commitment to welcoming the stranger.In the leaflet, Lord Carey, who retired as Archbishop of Canterbury in 2002, says: "I am proud of our tradition of tolerance and our historic commitment to welcoming the stranger.
"Yet what many people don't realise is that it is the Christian faith that underpins these great strengths and that has enriched our nation in so many other ways."Yet what many people don't realise is that it is the Christian faith that underpins these great strengths and that has enriched our nation in so many other ways.
'Watered down'
"This rich legacy is under attack. In spite of having contributed so much to our civilisation and providing its foundation, the Christian faith is in danger of being stealthily and subtly brushed aside.""This rich legacy is under attack. In spite of having contributed so much to our civilisation and providing its foundation, the Christian faith is in danger of being stealthily and subtly brushed aside."
Lord Carey said the attempt to "airbrush" the Christian faith "out of the picture" was more obvious as Christmas approaches.Lord Carey said the attempt to "airbrush" the Christian faith "out of the picture" was more obvious as Christmas approaches.
He cited cards bearing "season's greetings" messages, school nativity plays being "watered down" and local councils switching on "winter lights" in place of Christmas decorations.He cited cards bearing "season's greetings" messages, school nativity plays being "watered down" and local councils switching on "winter lights" in place of Christmas decorations.
"Even Christmas has become something of which some are ashamed.""Even Christmas has become something of which some are ashamed."
The campaign highlights a series of cases involving Christians who have claimed discrimination.The campaign highlights a series of cases involving Christians who have claimed discrimination.
These include Nadia Eweida, a British Airways worker from London, and Shirley Chaplin, an NHS nurse from Kenn, Exeter, who both lost high-profile discrimination claims over wearing crosses at work.These include Nadia Eweida, a British Airways worker from London, and Shirley Chaplin, an NHS nurse from Kenn, Exeter, who both lost high-profile discrimination claims over wearing crosses at work.
Ms Chaplin lost a discrimination claim against her employers, in which she had argued the cross "ban" prevented her from expressing her religious beliefs.Ms Chaplin lost a discrimination claim against her employers, in which she had argued the cross "ban" prevented her from expressing her religious beliefs.
Christian Concern has also highlighted the fact that Catholic adoption agencies no longer have the right to refuse gay couples as prospective adoptive parents.Christian Concern has also highlighted the fact that Catholic adoption agencies no longer have the right to refuse gay couples as prospective adoptive parents.
Lord Carey's intervention is significant, because he's a high-profile Anglican who many believe can bring the weight of influence to bear on subjects that bishops who are currently in office may not wish to, or may regard as "unsayable".Lord Carey's intervention is significant, because he's a high-profile Anglican who many believe can bring the weight of influence to bear on subjects that bishops who are currently in office may not wish to, or may regard as "unsayable".
He's spoken out in the past saying that Christians are being victimised for their beliefs, but he's been challenged on this point, and not just by the National Secular Society for example, but also by some other Christians.He's spoken out in the past saying that Christians are being victimised for their beliefs, but he's been challenged on this point, and not just by the National Secular Society for example, but also by some other Christians.
Jonathan Bartley, from the think tank Ekklesia, says that Lord Carey and Christian Concern are right to highlight the pride that people can feel in their faith, but wrong to claim that the faithful are being systematically bullied.Jonathan Bartley, from the think tank Ekklesia, says that Lord Carey and Christian Concern are right to highlight the pride that people can feel in their faith, but wrong to claim that the faithful are being systematically bullied.
Mr Bartley says his group has found evidence that some of his fellow believers are instead deliberately misleading people. Lord Carey may also be hopeful of making a bigger impact as people's thoughts turn to Christmas.Mr Bartley says his group has found evidence that some of his fellow believers are instead deliberately misleading people. Lord Carey may also be hopeful of making a bigger impact as people's thoughts turn to Christmas.
And it features the case of Gary McFarlane, who was sacked as a Relate Counsellor for refusing to give sex therapy to gay couples.And it features the case of Gary McFarlane, who was sacked as a Relate Counsellor for refusing to give sex therapy to gay couples.
Culprits
They urge Christians to wear crosses and items featuring the 'Not Ashamed' logo to work on Wednesday.They urge Christians to wear crosses and items featuring the 'Not Ashamed' logo to work on Wednesday.
However, Terry Sanderson, president of the National Secular Society, said the initiative was the "culmination of the ongoing campaign run by a handful of Christian zealots to create the impression that Christianity is somehow being deliberately undermined by the authorities.However, Terry Sanderson, president of the National Secular Society, said the initiative was the "culmination of the ongoing campaign run by a handful of Christian zealots to create the impression that Christianity is somehow being deliberately undermined by the authorities.
"Apparently 'multiculturalism', 'secularism' and 'political correctness' are seen as the culprits, but in reality people are walking away from Christianity because it has become unpleasant and authoritarian."Apparently 'multiculturalism', 'secularism' and 'political correctness' are seen as the culprits, but in reality people are walking away from Christianity because it has become unpleasant and authoritarian.
"Nobody is forcing them not to go to church, they simply don't see its relevance. "Nobody is forcing them not to go to church, they simply don't see its relevance."
"The people behind this campaign are determined and well-financed, but that doesn't make what they say true," he added. Andrew Copson, chief executive of the British Humanist Association, said: "Time and again the various claims of discrimination against Christians that have been tested in the courts have been assessed by impartial judges and found baseless."
"Discrimination against non-Christians is in fact far more widespread than discrimination against Christians, and Christianity is still overly privileged in the UK.
"In almost one third of our state schools, preference is given to Christian parents in admissions over non-Christians, and to Christian staff over non-Christian staff."
The Christian think tank Ekklesia said that there was "no evidence" to back up the "Not Ashamed" campaign.
Co-Director Jonathan Batley said: "Since 2005, when we first predicted the growth in claims of 'persecution', we have been closely examining individual cases and what lies behind them [and] have found no evidence to back up the claim of the Not Ashamed campaign that Christians as a group are being systematically marginalised in Britain.
"We have found consistent evidence, however, of Christians misleading people and exaggerating what is really going on, as well as treating other Christians, those of other faith and those of no faith in discriminatory ways."
Are you a Christian living in the UK? What's your experience? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you a Christian living in the UK? What's your experience? Send us your comments using the form below.