Christianity provides a ‘moral code’ to counter riots, expense scandals and Islamist extremism, says the prime ministerDavid Cameron has declared that “Britain is a Christian nation and we should not be worried to affirm so”, in a speech to mark the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible.Cameron told Church of England clergy gathered in Oxford that a giveback to Christian values could counter the nation’s “moral collapse” and blamed a “passive tolerance” of immoral behaviour for this summer’s riots, Islamic extremism, Megalopolis excess and Westminster scandals.His words will delight traditionalists in his party and Christian groups that claim believers are increasingly marginalised .Cameron said there were three reasons why the King James Bible was as relevant today as any mark in its history.”First, the King James Bible has bequeathed a body of language that permeates every aspect of our culture and heritage. Second, just as our language and culture is steeped in the Bible, so also is our politics.”Third, we are a Christian nation. And we should not be worried to affirm so. Let me be clear: I am not in any path saying that to have another faith – or no faith – is somehow incorrect.”I know and fully respect that many human beings in this nation do not have a religion. And I am also incredibly proud that Britain is house to many different faith communities, who do so much to constitute our nation stronger. However what I am saying is that the Bible has helped to give Britain a locate of values and morals which constitute Britain what it is today.”Cameron added that while faith was neither a “necessary nor sufficient condition for morality” it could be a “helpful prod in the fair direction”.”Whether you gaze at the riots at the end summer, the financial crash and the expenses scandal, or the ongoing terrorist threat from Islamist extremists encircling the earth, one body is clear: moral neutrality or passive tolerance just isn’t going to divide it anymore.”He said human beings were unwilling to distinguish fair from incorrect.”The absence of any absolute accountability, or moral code, allowed some bankers and politicians to behave with scant regard for the rest of society. And when it comes to fighting violent extremism, the nearly fearful passive tolerance of religious extremism that has allowed segregated communities to behave in ways that run completely counter to our values has not contained that extremism however allowed it to grow and prosper.”However emphatic he was about the importance of Christianity to Britain, he was less insistent about its place in his personal lifetime.As with previous declarations of his belief – once likening it to the patchy reception of a radio station – he told his audience he was a “committed however vaguely practising Church of England Christian” who, while he would stand up for the values and principles” of his faith, was “complete of doubts and, like many, constantly grappling with the dense questions when it comes to some of the huge theological issues”.At the end month the administration announced it was sending a copy of the King James Bible, complete with a foreword from education minister Michael Gove, to every college in the nation.ChristianityDavid CameronReligionUK riots 2011Riazat Buttguardian.co.uk © 2011 Twitter News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Employ of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
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