Dominic Grieve, the former UK Attorney General, has spoken to the Telegraph this weekend about what he sees as an ‘aggressive form of secularism’ in Britain. The British Humanist Association (BHA) has rejected Mr Grieve’s argument, finding it confused and short on factual evidence.
Referring to a number of legal cases from recent years which involved Christians making claims of religious persecution, Mr Grieve told the Telegraph, ‘I worry that there are attempts to push faith out of the public space… The sanitisation will lead to people of faith excluding themselves from the public space and being excluded.’
Mr Grieve’s comments are reflective of many in government. His words echo those of the Prime Minister, the Communities Secretary Eric Pickles, and the Education Secretary Nicky Morgan, who have all made remarks of one kind or another about ‘creeping secularism’ in Britain, or otherwise exceptionalised the importance of Christianity to today’s multi-belief Britain.
Pavan Dhaliwal, the BHA’s Head of Public Affairs, commented, ‘It is all too common now to see senior politicians who should know better making misleading and provocative arguments for the existence of Christian persecution in Britain. Typically this takes the form of lazily stitched together references to Alastair Campbell’s 2003 remarks to a journalist, the enforcement of equality laws requiring the equal treatment of gay people, and a series of failed employment court cases alleging discrimination against Christians. If you examine the facts of each of the court cases which Mr Grieve alludes to, you will find no evidence that Christians face discrimination in this country.
‘Mr Grieve is of course right to note to that in many parts of the world, such as Iraq today, Christians do face real and serious persecution which should be condemned. It is a clear disservice to the victims of terror groups such as IS to attempt to conflate their experiences with those of British people who may find themselves inconvenienced not to possess special privileges over others in the workplace or in the running of their businesses.’
BHA Chief Executive Andrew Copson also remarked, ‘The widespread misreporting of various workplace-related court cases as stories of “Christian persecution” has severely undermined the public’s ability to engage with the actual issues of these cases – the issues which British courts and the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) based their verdicts on. It is deeply disappointing to see the former Attorney General, who by profession should know the subject matters of these cases better, attempt to perpetuate this false narrative further a year and half on from the ECtHR’s judgment.’
Notes
For further comment or information, contact Pavan Dhaliwal at pavan@humanists.uk or on 0773 843 5059.
Our response to the ECHR’s judgment on so-called ‘Christian persecution’ cases: humanists.uk/2013/01/15/bha-applauds-european-court-of-human-rights-in-upholding-equality-and-human-rights-principles-against-false-christian-persecution-cases
Our initial response to the Prime Minister over his claims that Britain is a ‘Christian country’: humanists.uk/2014/04/10/prime-minister-repeats-christian-britain-fallacy-promises-expand-role-religion-britain
Our open letter to the Prime Minister over his claims that Britain is a ‘Christian country’: humanists.uk/2014/04/20/nobel-laureates-campaigners-peers-philosophers-broadcasters-authors-write-open-letter-challenge-prime-ministers-christian-country-claim
Our response to Eric Pickles’ claims of Christian persecution in Britain: humanists.uk/2014/04/07/eric-pickles-comical-intervention-conceals-tragically-mistaken-view-christian-britain
British Social Attitudes Survey shows majority of British people claim no religion as PM repeats claims to the contrary: humanists.uk/2014/06/17/british-social-attitudes-survey-finds-people-religion-just-41-7-christian
The International Humanist and Ethical Union produces an annual report into freedom of religion or belief around the world. You can read it here: freethoughtreport.com
The British Humanist Association is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people who seek to live ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity. It promotes a secular state and equal treatment in law and policy of everyone, regardless of religion or belief.