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David Cameron risks 'alienation', public figures claim David Cameron risks 'alienation', public figures claim
(34 minutes later)
David Cameron risks causing "alienation" in society by saying Britain is a "Christian country", a group of public figures has warned.David Cameron risks causing "alienation" in society by saying Britain is a "Christian country", a group of public figures has warned.
Author Sir Terry Prachett was among those who signed a letter to the Daily Telegraph making the claim. Author Sir Terry Pratchett was among 50 signatories of a letter to the Daily Telegraph saying Britain was a largely "non-religious society".
The UK should be "more confident about our status as a Christian country", Mr Cameron has said. The PM said the UK should be "more confident" about its Christianity, a view No 10 says he has stated before.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said the PM had long said the UK is a Christian country. Faith leaders have said they are "very comfortable" with Mr Cameron's views.
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. The open letter's signatories included author Philip Pullman, performer Tim Minchin, journalist Polly Toynbee, philosopher AC Grayling and presenter Dan Snow.
Its lead signatory is Professor Jim Al-Khalili, president of the British Humanist Association. Its lead signatory was Professor Jim Al-Khalili, president of the British Humanist Association.
In the letter, the group said it respected the prime minister's right to his own religious beliefs. The group said it respected the prime minister's right to his own religious beliefs, but said: "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".
"Constantly to claim otherwise fosters alienation and division in our society," the letter said."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.
'Multi-faith society''Multi-faith society'
Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the assertion Britain is a Christian country was "not factually accurate".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.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." Mr Tatchell said the evidence shows the is not a Christian country, saying: "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. His claims come after figures released by the ONS following the 2011 census found that, despite a drop of four million in the number of people who said they were Christians in England and Wales from 2001, 59% of residents still described themselves as Christian.
Christina Rees, a member of the General Synod, the highest governing body of the Church of England, said she was glad Mr Cameron had the "confidence" to talk about his faith and was "absolutely right" to call the UK a "Christian nation".Christina Rees, a member of the General Synod, the highest governing body of the Church of England, said she was glad Mr Cameron had the "confidence" to talk about his faith and was "absolutely right" to call the UK a "Christian nation".
She said the UK had "historically and culturally" been a Christian country for "many hundreds of years" and its laws and literature had been "infused with Christianity". She said the UK was "historically and culturally" Christian.
Farooq Murad, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said nobody could deny that the UK remains a largely Christian country with "deep historical and structural links" to Christianity.Farooq Murad, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said nobody could deny that the UK remains a largely Christian country with "deep historical and structural links" to Christianity.
He said "a sense of the sacred is to be cherished" but added that the UK would be stronger by "recognising and celebrating" people of multiple faiths and of no faith "living in harmony".He said "a sense of the sacred is to be cherished" but added that the UK would be stronger by "recognising and celebrating" people of multiple faiths and of no faith "living in harmony".
Anil Bhanot, managing director of the Hindu Council UK, said he was "very comfortable" with the UK being described as a Christian country, saying many Hindu people in the UK enjoy celebrating Christmas and Easter. Anil Bhanot, managing director of the Hindu Council UK, said he was "very comfortable" with the UK being described as a Christian country.
'Incredibly proud''Incredibly proud'
In an article for the Church Times earlier this month Mr Cameron said 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.
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.
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. Downing Street spokeswoman referred to a speech made three years ago by the prime minister where he said the UK was a Christian country and should not be afraid to say so.
"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. BBC political correspondent Chris Mason said Mr Cameron's comments could be politically "useful", coming as the UK Independence Party (UKIP) has been "emphasising traditional values".
However, he said Mr Cameron's comments could also be politically "useful", coming as the UK Independence Party (UKIP) has been "emphasising traditional values".