UK Christians 'suffer for faith'
Pastor Dale Morgan
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UK Christians 'suffer for faith'*
Christians increasingly feel discriminated against in their faith
More than one in five Christians in the UK faces discrimination in their
local communities because of their faith, a survey for a BBC programme
suggests.
The poll of 604 people describing themselves as Christian, for the
Heaven and Earth show, also found 25% felt discriminated against by
colleagues.
One in three said the media portrayal of their religion was discriminatory.
The findings come as churches complain the Christian values which
underpin law-making in Britain are being eroded.
Church leaders say this process of aggressive secularisation is to the
detriment of family life.
'Fight back'
Rev Malcolm Duncan, of campaign group Faithworks, said: "The Christian
church is suffering more than all other faiths in the UK.
It's a case of those issues getting more attention, rather than there
being more discrimination
David Gillett-Bishop of Bolton
"There is an aggressive secularist agenda that says it's OK to support
any group ending in 'ism', but it's not OK to support anything connected
to Christianity."
Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe, said Christians must decide whether to
"fight back or take it".
"My own belief is that we should stand together and fight this
discrimination."
Perceived grievances
BBC religious affairs correspondent Robert Piggott said the level of
dissatisfaction among Christians about the way their faith is regarded
would have been unthinkable only a few years ago.
But some senior religious figures said they felt the case was being
overstated.
Bishop of Bolton David Gillett said religious issues were attracting
more attention, leading to a greater perception of discrimination.
"Christians are now finding decisions going against them in a more
high-profile way.
"But it's a case of those issues getting more attention, rather than
there being more discrimination."