A Lichfield Diocesan lay member of the General Synod has used a debate about inter-faith presence and engagement to call on the government to stand up for the Christian faith against increasing levels of political correctness which has seen Christians become the ‘most discriminated against people in society.’
Mrs Joanna Monkton from Stretton, near Stafford, cited a catalogue of recent cases of discrimination against Christians, including the Christian nurse suspended for offering to pray for a patient; the Heathrow check-in clerk who was suspended for wearing a small cross; and the foster couple banned because a Muslim teenager in their care converted to Christianity; and said it was time to ‘stand up for the Christian way of life.’
She spoke of her: ‘hope that we could influence Parliament and public bodies to stand up for the Christian religion,’ adding: ‘We should not be marginalised for fear of offending those of other faiths.’
She said: ‘What on earth are we doing here if we are not proclaiming the uniqueness of Christ which was so clearly brought out in the debate yesterday. We seem to be ruled by what is deemed to be politically correct, which makes for some absurd situations.
‘This last week we hear that a nurse has been suspended for offering to pray for an elderly patient at the end of a home visit. I am glad to say that she has since been told she can go back to work. But how can this happen in a Christian country? It is unbelievable that somebody can not offer to pray for a patient.
‘Not so long ago we had the time when there was a Heathrow check-in clerk who was banned for wearing a simple cross around her neck. It wasn't even a crucifix that she was wearing. And what if it was? It is a symbol of her faith, and she was not forcing her beliefs on anyone. It was deemed to be politically incorrect; though many of other faiths seem to be able to wear headscarves masking their identity without complaint, I gather, through Customs; and yet a woman at a check-in desk can not wear a small cross.
‘Fostering children seems to have become another minefield of political correctness too, when we hear last week of a foster mother of years of experience being struck off because her foster child, aged 16, of her own volition became a baptised Christian when her birth family was Muslim. The child had become interested in Christianity at school, which had led to her conversion. What nonsense! And I don't recall the church had very much to say on the subject then.
‘And the last Prime Minister of this country "did not do God" because he did not want to be ridiculed.’
She added: ‘What have we done that we have got into such state of affairs? We have allowed so many Christian laws through Parliament in the last few years without much complaint from the Church, which I think is a shame. How many of us have lobbied our MPs about this? The Bishops have tried to do what they can in the House of Lords and I am so grateful for this; but I am painfully aware of the difficulties faced by them and fitting this work into their busy timetables is extremely difficult for them.
‘We have not stood up for the Christian way of life which has made this country great; with its fair laws all based on our Judean-Christian principles. This country is still a Christian country, though many would not have it so; and many would say that Christians are the most discriminated against people in society. We are the established church, and long may we enjoy this privileged position; but we must stick up for it.’
The debate was sparked by a ‘take note’ motion by the Bishop of Bradford about a report into Presence and Engagement with inter-faith issues.
ENDS
NOTES:
- The report, Staying Present and Engaging Faithfully, can be downloaded from the General Synod’s website: cofe.anglican.org/about/gensynod.
- Mrs Joanna Monckton is a member of the General Synod having been elected by lay members of Deanery Synods in this diocese; but like all Synod members, her views are her own and not necessarily shared by the Diocese.
- The General Synod is meeting in Church House Westminster from Monday 9th February to Friday 13th February in what is the first of two meetings planned for this year.