Queen stands up for Christianity: ‘Church of England is misunderstood and under-appreciated’

  • Comments come after High Court supports ban of prayers at meetings
  • ‘The Church has a duty to protect free practice of all faiths in this country’

By
Rebecca English

Last updated at 7:33 AM on 16th February 2012


Defence of the Church: Queen used a speech at Lambeth Palace to remind the nation of the importance of 'Anglicanism' in everyday life

Defence of the Church: Queen used a speech at Lambeth Palace to remind the nation of the importance of ‘Anglicanism’ in everyday life

The Queen yesterday delivered an impassioned defence of the established Church and stressed the continuing importance of religion in an increasingly secular society.

In a strongly-worded speech – one of the most outspoken of her 60-year reign – the monarch described the Church of England as ‘misunderstood’ and ‘under-appreciated’.

Her address to leaders of Britain’s nine main religions at Lambeth Palace also highlighted the way religion offered ‘critical guidance’ for the way in which people live their lives.

And she emphasised that while the Church, of which she is head, was ‘woven into the fabric of this country’ it also had a ‘duty’ to protect freedom of worship for other faiths in order to build ‘a better society’.

The sovereign’s public address is  the first of her Diamond Jubilee year and was written by the Queen  herself, Buckingham Palace sources said.

It is particularly timely given last week’s landmark legal ruling banning the saying of prayers at council meetings.

Christians and politicians reacted with dismay after a judge overturned centuries of custom by stopping a council in Devon putting prayers on the formal agenda.

On the same day, two Christian guesthouse owners failed in an attempt to overturn a £3,600 fine imposed for refusing – because it was against their religious beliefs – to allow a gay couple to occupy a double room.

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Royal reception: The Queen and the Duke Of Edinburgh are greeted at Lambeth Palace by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, and his wife Jane

Royal reception: The Queen and the Duke Of Edinburgh are greeted at Lambeth Palace by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, and his wife Jane

Heads of the Church: The Queen and Archbishop greet each other ahead of the multi-faith ceremony. They both used the opportunity to highlight the importance of religion in modern-day Britain

Heads of the Church: The Queen and Archbishop greet each other ahead of the multi-faith ceremony. They both used the opportunity to highlight the importance of religion in modern-day Britain

GRAPHIC CHRISTIANS

These and other developments,
including recent cases of public sector workers being banned from
displaying Christian symbols at work, have sparked a debate over whether
the country is becoming too secularised and what effect this will have
on society.

Days ago, Tory Party co-chairman Baroness Warsi spoke of a ‘militant secularisation’ taking hold in some countries.

But the Queen said: ‘Prince Philip and
I are delighted to be with you today to pay tribute to the particular
mission of Christianity and the general value of faith in this country.

‘This gathering is a reminder of how much we owe the nine major religious
traditions represented here.

‘We should remind ourselves of the
significant position of the Church of England in our nation’s life.

‘The
concept of our established Church is occasionally misunderstood and, I
believe, commonly under-appreciated.

‘Its role is not to defend Anglicanism
to the exclusion of other religions. Instead, the Church has a duty to
protect the free practice of all faiths in this country.

‘It certainly provides an identity and spiritual dimension for its own many adherents.

‘But also, gently and assuredly, the
Church of England has created an environment for other faith communities
and indeed people of no faith to live freely.

‘Woven into the fabric of this country
the Church has helped to build a better society – more and more active
co-operation for the common good with those of other faiths.’

Warming to
her theme, the 85-year-old monarch – who holds the title Defender of
the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England – continued:
‘This occasion is thus an opportunity to reflect on the importance of
faith in creating and sustaining communities all over the United
Kingdom.

‘Faith plays a key role in the
identity of millions of people, providing not only a system of belief
but also a sense of belonging. It can act as a spur for social action.
Indeed, religious groups have a proud track record of helping those in
the greatest need.’ The Queen was welcomed yesterday by the Archbishop
of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, who paid tribute to her ‘personal
commitment’ and leadership.

She also met leaders of the eight
non-Christian religions recognised in this country – Baha’i, Buddhism,
Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Judaism, Islam, and Zoroastrianism. She told
them in her address: ‘Our religions provide critical guidance for the
way we live our lives and for the way in which we treat each other.’

Buckingham Palace sources stressed
that the Queen did not want to politicise the issue but they said her
faith was one of the most important issues in her life.

GRAPHIC CHRISTIAN 2.jpg

Controversial victory: Former councillor Clive Bone, pictured outside the town council offices in Bideford, won a legal battle to outlaw prayers at meetings - drawing instant criticism from religious groups

Controversial victory: Former councillor Clive Bone, pictured outside the town council offices in Bideford, won a legal battle to outlaw prayers at meetings – drawing instant criticism from religious groups

Here’s what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts,
or debate this issue live on our message boards.

The comments below have not been moderated.

Let’s hope our politicians take note of the Queen’s words and start defending our Country’s Christianity.
– Tommy Cullen, South Shields, UK., 16/2/2012 08:10+++++++Hell/snowball/chance comes to mind.

I’m surprised that Baroness Warsi and the Archbishop of Canterbury don’t appear to understand the difference between secularism and atheism. Secularism means the exclusion of religious considerations from civic and state affairs, and proponents of a secular state aren’t exclusively atheist. Many religous believers also think that democratic principles are better served in a secular state. The USA is constitutionally secular, yet still has freedom of religion and many practicing churchgoers..

“M.N.London 18.30 Britiain was built on Christain value’s.Really!!! “- carole clowes, congleton u.k., 16/2/2012 0:01 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Yes, really. From Christian figures like William Wilberforce who entered Parliament to campaign relentlessly through decades – because of his Christian faith – to have the slave trade abolished, a struggle which cost him his health. The Putney debates in the Church of St Mary the Virgin in 1647 saw the first ever call for “One Man, One Vote”, and the demand that authority be invested in the House of Commons rather than the King. Furthermore…… “reading the Bible in English gave people equality with each other through God and this led them to seek equality with each other through government. It was the influence of the church that enabled hospitals to be built, charities created, the hungry fed, the sick nursed” (David Cameron, 16.12.2011.)

“The Queen has a brass neck in trying to denounce ‘militant secularism’ on behalf of faith. After all, what is the C of E but a so-called organisation of faith whose members swear allegiance to put an earthy politician (the Queen) above their god? You can’t get a better example of militant secularism than enshrining in your church’s constitutions that its leaders to do exactly as their secular politicians tell them! Perhaps the Queen can point out where in the bible it says that earthly politicians take priority over God!” – Richard, Norwich, UK, 16/2/2012 0:54 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I’m afraid you are misinformed. I’m a member of the CofE. My husband is an Anglican vicar. Neither of us has ever sworn any such thing, nor have we ever been asked to do so by the Church authorities – and, most importantly nor would we EVER do so! I cannot think of any observance in the Church that has made you believe that any of its members is required place the monarch above God.

God save our gracious Queen.
A Beautiful Lady who has a very difficult job. (I certainly won’t want it!)

Well, what a surprise: the establishment closing ranks to preserve their power and privilege! And Carey must be on drugs: “A tiny minority of secularists who will stop at nothing…” Fetch the nurse!

How can people with reasonable intelligence honesty believe in old stories that have absolutely NO EVIDENCE?. Of course people should be able to believe what they want. However representatives of the State should never be able to influence any portion of society based on un-substantiated beliefs.
– D-Mac, Brisbane Australia, 16/2/2012 00:16
Its called faith

Take note Clegg and all Lefties who are trying to ruin this country.

Let’s hope our politicians take note of the Queen’s words and start defending our Country’s Christianity.

God bless HM – long may she reign.

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