Help Sitemap Home Skip Navigation Contact Us Disability Statement


T in the Park

Premium Article !

Your account has been frozen. For your available options click the below button.

Options

Premium Article !

To read this article in full you must have registered and have a Premium Content Subscription with the Edinburgh Evening News site.

Subscribe

Registered Article !

To read this article in full you must be registered with the site.

Sign In
Register

Church attacks government for favouring minority faiths



Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image

Published Date: 09 June 2008
A HARD-HITTING Church of England report today accused the Government of favouring Islam and other minority faiths while paying only "lip service" to Christianity.
The study accused the Government of "religious illiteracy" and called for the appointment of a Minister for Religion.

While praising the Conservative Party for its "strident" plans to tackle poverty, the report claimed the Government had ignored social breakdown and failed to recognise the Church's potential contribution to public affairs.

The report was commissioned from academics at the Von Huegel Institute at Cambridge University by the Church of England's Bishop for Urban Life and Faith Stephen Lowe, the Bishop of Hulme, who was due to deliver the Church's response later today.

The report – entitled Moral, But No Compass said: "The Government has focused so intensely on minority faiths that it has failed to develop a coherent evidence base for the largest religious body in the UK, the Christian church."

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears: "This is an unfair attack on the Government. We engage with the Church of England on a regular basis as we do with all other faiths."





The full article contains 191 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 09 June 2008 11:00 AM
  • Source: Edinburgh Evening News
  • Location: Edinburgh
 
1

Calum Crubag,

09/06/2008 12:37:40
Why should ANY church get special attention from the govt?

Faith is a matter of choice. No one is 'born' a Muslim, a Catholic etc... it's forced on kids by parents and communities.

Should the govt. also set up a department to cater for trainspotters?
2

Leithen Laddie,

Borders 09/06/2008 13:01:22
1 - You wont be taking such a glib approach when Islamic Law is imposed in the UK - that day is fast approaching. If one of your kids is caught shoplifting your problem then will be which hand do you want chopped off. If you get caught with a glass of wine at your summer BBQ watch out for a public flogging. Thats where your flippant attitude is taking the UK.
3

hertscot,

09/06/2008 13:01:55
"The Government has focused so intensely on minority faiths that it has failed to develop a coherent evidence base for the largest religious body in the UK, the Christian church."
Perhaps the Gov might help when the CoE and the rest of the religions produce a coherent evidence based rationale for their continued existence.
4

hertscot,

09/06/2008 13:05:54
Leithen Laddie
I don't suppose you'll be complaining when they castrate rapists and paedophiles, and hang murderers, will you?
5

A Friend of Fernando Poo,

09/06/2008 13:34:40
"The Government has focused so intensely on minority faiths that it has failed to develop a coherent evidence base for the largest religious body in the UK, the Christian church."

Give us a break. More people practice golf than christianity.
6

Calum Crubag,

09/06/2008 15:39:06
#2 - aye Leithean Lad, just as well the Wee Frees aren't in power. Folk executed for attending the theatre, playing guitar and non-observance of the Sabbath. Not to mention the adulterers.

I choose neither. Common sense should prevail, not religion.
7

tapper,

09/06/2008 17:22:46
as a chrisitan it never ceaces to amaze me how we pander to islam in this country.If I am offended by somthin git is my responsibility.I have to deal with it;there my feelings.Everyone should own their own feelings.I dont think the govt panders to minority faiths at all.When did you last here a public servant getting worried because he might offend Judaisim, or Sikhs or Buddists or Pagans? No they couldn't care less.But offend the muslims....wooohha ,'you mustn't offend them'! Like I said I am a born again Christian and don't need any govt favouring me.I am all for dissestablishment of the C of E too!
8

,

09/06/2008 19:13:47
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
9

Fi,

09/06/2008 19:22:04
It's curious #2 that you don't know that it's not a choice. You loose your right hand for a first offence of theft, (the, "clean," hand.) Commit a second theft and it's the left as well.

On the whole, we ought not to be beholden to any religious group. I have high regard for the strong moral stance of many religions, but I don't wish to be forced to observe any of their practices.

That's my right as much as it's someone else's to ring bells or call people to prayer from the tower of their faith's place of worship. I choose to ignore their calls, and they can ignore my soul.

What is important is that the strong community links and outreach work of our traditionally Christian, but increasingly multi-faith, religious sub-culture within the UK is encouraged and funded by the government to continue it's charitable enterprises.

There is no faith that preaches greed and selfishness. All faiths require to embrace each others' workers as adjuncts of their own and see them as a means to fullfilling their creator's true intention - a world in harmony with it's creation.
10

Vincent-W,

09/06/2008 22:35:54
Calum, I thought you'd gone on holiday! An article on religion and you managed to wait 'til lunchbreak. Ye gods man, as the self appointed 'Mad Mullah of the Aetheist Taliban (Gaelic Branch)' I would have thought you'd be quicker off the mark.

In seriousness, and answering your first question - for exactly the same reason as you want special govt. attention for things you hold dear.

Please try a little tolerance and respect. Fi (#9) has a much more balanced view - thank you Fi.
11

hertscot,

10/06/2008 10:45:03
# 8 ..thanks for clarifying my point.
12

Neal! Whit? Haud yer Whisht!!,

10/06/2008 11:38:26
"There is No God, there is No Devil, there is only Me"

No religion.

 

Comment on this Story

 

In order to post comments you must Register or Sign In

 
 
RSS Feed of this article's comments
Delivery formats: RSS, Atom, Javascript & Email
 
  

 
 


Sister Newspapers:
Press Complaints Commission

This website and its associated newspaper adheres to the Press Complaints Commission’s Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then contact the Editor by clicking here.

If you remain dissatisfied with the response provided then you can contact the PCC by clicking here.