Symon Hill, Ekklesia, Aug.15, www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/12853
Civil liberties have been severely restricted in the UK over the last decade, which anyone who values free expression should find worrying. But we should be worried regardless of whether the people affected are Christians. Jesus has not taught his followers to be concerned only for people who agree with them.
Anyone wanting a level playing-field should recognise that the UK is a country in which over 99 per cent of faith schools are Christian and in which bishops get to vote on legislation in Parliament (a situation almost unique in the world). These are the vestiges of Christendom, the situation that prevailed for centuries in which Christianity was closely allied to political and cultural power. The gradual passing of Christendom gives us a great opportunity to look again at the real nature of Jesus’ message.
Those who call for a level-playing field might be taken more seriously if they were to stand up and call for the removal of the bishops from the House of Lords and the disestablishment of the Church of England.
British Christians could witness to Jesus’ values of love in action and servant leadership by voluntarily giving up the privileges which are denied to non-Christians. What a powerful message of love that would send out to others. Sadly, it is a message that much of the Church seems reluctant to hear.