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David Cameron risks 'alienation', public figures claim David Cameron risks 'alienation', public figures claim
(about 4 hours later)
David Cameron could cause "alienation" with his comments about Christianity in the UK, public figures have warned. David Cameron risks causing "alienation" in society by saying Britain is a "Christian country", a group of public figures has warned.
Writers, academics and scientists - including authors Sir Terry Pratchett and Philip Pullman - make the claim in a letter to the Daily Telegraph. Author Sir Terry Prachett was among those who signed a letter to the Daily Telegraph. making the claim.
It follows Mr Cameron's assertion that the UK should be "more confident about our status as a Christian country". The UK should be "more confident about our status as a Christian country", Mr Cameron has said.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said: "The UK is a Christian country and should not be afraid to say so." A Downing Street spokeswoman said the PM had long said the UK is a Christian country.
'Division' More than 50 writers, scientists, broadcasters and academics, including author Philip Pullman, performer Tim Minchin, journalist Polly Toynbee, philosopher AC Grayling and presenter Dan Snow, signed the open letter.
A total of 55 people, also including performer Tim Minchin, journalist Polly Toynbee, philosopher AC Grayling and presenter Dan Snow, signed the letter.
Its lead signatory is Professor Jim Al-Khalili, president of the British Humanist Association.Its lead signatory is Professor Jim Al-Khalili, president of the British Humanist Association.
In the letter, the group says: "We respect the prime minister's right to his religious beliefs and the fact that they necessarily affect his own life as a politician. In the letter, the group said it respected the prime minister's right to his own religious beliefs.
"However, we object to his characterisation of Britain as a 'Christian country' and the negative consequences for politics and society that this engenders. But it continued: "We object to his characterisation of Britain as a 'Christian country' and the negative consequences for politics and society that this engenders.
"Apart from in the narrow constitutional sense that we continue to have an established Church, Britain is not a 'Christian country'.""Apart from in the narrow constitutional sense that we continue to have an established Church, Britain is not a 'Christian country'."
They said Britain was a "plural society" that was largely "non-religious".They said Britain was a "plural society" that was largely "non-religious".
"Constantly to claim otherwise fosters alienation and division in our society," the letter continued. "Constantly to claim otherwise fosters alienation and division in our society," the letter said.
Most Britons "do not want religions or religious identities to be actively prioritised by their elected government", it concluded.Most Britons "do not want religions or religious identities to be actively prioritised by their elected government", it concluded.
Others who signed the letter included philosopher Jonathan Glover, academic and broadcaster Professor Alice Roberts, Nobel Prize-winning scientist Harold Kroto and human rights lawyer Sir Geoffrey Bindman QC. Philosopher Jonathan Glover, academic and broadcaster Professor Alice Roberts, Nobel Prize-winning scientist Harold Kroto and human rights lawyer Sir Geoffrey Bindman QC also signed the letter.
Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the assertion Britain is a Christian country was "not factually accurate".
He said a YouGov poll found 65% of people questioned described themselves as "not religious", while 29% said they were. He said those people would have come from a range of faiths - not just Christianity.
Mr Tatchell said: "He (Mr Cameron) has gone out of his way to assert that we are a Christian country when the evidence shows we are not. We are a multi-faith society, we are also a no-faith society."
This is contrary to figures released by the ONS following the 2011 census, which found that, despite a drop of four million in the number of people who said they were Christians in England and Wales from the previous census, 59% of residents still described themselves as Christian.
'Incredibly proud''Incredibly proud'
Mr Cameron said earlier this month, in an article for the Church Times, that Christians should be "confident" in standing up to defend their values. In an article for the Church Times earlier this month Mr Cameron said Christians should be "confident" in standing up to defend their values.
This did not mean "doing down" other religions, he added.This did not mean "doing down" other religions, he added.
The prime minister also spoke of his faith in his Easter message, saying he found "peace" in Christianity.The prime minister also spoke of his faith in his Easter message, saying he found "peace" in Christianity.
Referring to a 2011 speech in which he made his comments about Christianity, the Downing Street spokeswoman said: "As the PM set out in his speech to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible, the UK is a Christian country and should not be afraid to say so. A Downing Street spokeswoman referred to a speech made three years ago by the prime minister to mark the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible where he said the UK was a Christian country and should not be afraid to say so.
"He also added that this was not to say in any way that to have another faith - or no faith - was somehow wrong. "He [Mr Cameron] also added that this was not to say in any way that to have another faith - or no faith - was somehow wrong.
"He has said on many occasions that he is incredibly proud that Britain is home to many different faith communities, who do so much to make the UK a stronger country.""He has said on many occasions that he is incredibly proud that Britain is home to many different faith communities, who do so much to make the UK a stronger country."
BBC political correspondent Chris Mason said it was "always tricky" for political leaders to venture into religious debate.
However, he said Mr Cameron's comments could also be politically "useful", coming as the UK Independence Party (UKIP) has been "emphasising traditional values".