It seems that as a rule folk are quick to marginalise and side-line faith groups - particularly Christians and especially the Established Church. They are also quick to say that The Church never speaks out. These may be sweeping generalisations, but I don't think I am being over-sensitive or unrealistic.
Those who lead The Church at both a national and local level are constantly speaking into the contexts that confront them. The BBC website is carrying an article reporting an interview with Rowan Williams featured in the Daily Telegraph: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8409310.stm which reports "Dr Williams told the Telegraph: "The trouble with a lot of government initiatives about faith is that they assume it is a problem, it's an eccentricity, it's practised by oddities, foreigners and minorities. "The effect is to de-normalise faith, to intensify the perception that faith is not part of our bloodstream. And, you know, in great swathes of the country that's how it is."He said it would not do "any harm" for political leaders to be more open about their religious beliefs.He said the three main part leaders "curiously" all have a "very strong moral sense of some spiritual flavour".
Those who lead The Church at both a national and local level are constantly speaking into the contexts that confront them. The BBC website is carrying an article reporting an interview with Rowan Williams featured in the Daily Telegraph: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8409310.stm which reports "Dr Williams told the Telegraph: "The trouble with a lot of government initiatives about faith is that they assume it is a problem, it's an eccentricity, it's practised by oddities, foreigners and minorities. "The effect is to de-normalise faith, to intensify the perception that faith is not part of our bloodstream. And, you know, in great swathes of the country that's how it is."He said it would not do "any harm" for political leaders to be more open about their religious beliefs.He said the three main part leaders "curiously" all have a "very strong moral sense of some spiritual flavour".
All of this is good stuff and the Archbishop's analysis is spot on. I wonder if he said anything about how the Press portray religion and faith?
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