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One third of all Christians say: We've suffered discrimination
Last updated at 09:52am on 18.03.07
One in four Christians said they thought they suffered discrimination in the workplace from colleagues
One in three Christians claim to have suffered discrimination because of their religious views, according to a new poll.
The survey by the BBC shows unprecedented disquiet among church-going Britons amid claims they increasingly face prejudice in the media, the workplace and even in their own communities.
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It follows a series of high-profile rows over unfair treatment towards Christians, including the case of the British Airways worker who was banned from wearing a crucifix, while Muslim employees were allowed to wear headscarfs.
A third of those polled by the BBC's religious programme Heaven And Earth, claim Christians experience discrimination in the way the media portrays them.
One in four said they thought they suffered discrimination in the workplace from colleagues.
And more than one in five said they thought Christians faced discrimination in their local communities.
It reflects a growing unease that Labour multiculturalism has led to ethnic minority faiths such as Islam and Hinduism being given special treatment.
Meanwhile, there is a fear that the historic importance of Christianity in British life has been pushed to the sidelines.
The BBC has itself been accused of blasphemy because of its decision to screen the controversial show Jerry Springer - The Opera, despite its profane portrayal of God and heaven.
Today's Heaven And Earth programme, presented by Gloria Hunniford, will focus on an example of Government prejudice against a Christian-run drug treatment centre.
Yeldall Manor in Berkshire offers successful residential treatment for young men addicted to drugs or alcohol.
The centre is run by evangelical Christians and the regime includes Bible study sessions and grace before meals.
However, their doors are open to addicts of all backgrounds.
William Hague praised its work when he was Tory leader.
But director Ken Wiltshire reveals how John Prescott's Office of the Deputy Prime Minister tried to cut their funding because they failed to meet Labour's 'equal opportunities' criteria.
He said: "We had been doing a good job helping former addicts move back into the community. So when we went for our routine review with officials we thought we would have no problems.
"But they kept asking us questions about why our staff were exclusively Christian and why there had to be a Christian component to our regime.
"There is no doubt there was prejudice against us because we are Christians. They think we are a bit odd."
Yeldall Manor kept its funding but only after a vigorous local campaign.
Recently, Church leaders launched an outspoken campaign against new Labour legislation that will force Christian adoption agencies to offer children to prospective parents who are homosexual.
Tory MP and prominent Roman Catholic Ann Widdecombe said:
"We should stand together and fight this discrimination. Christians are being marginalised, yet it is the established religion of this country."
The Rev Malcolm Duncan, of Christian campaigning group Faithworks, added:
"The Christian church is suffering more than all other faiths in the UK.
There is an aggressive secularist agenda that says it's OK to support any group ending in "ism" but not OK to support anything connected to Christianity."
Reader views (5)
Stephanie, you are absolutely right. The bible clearly states that Christians will be persecuted as we move closer to Christ's second coming, which will be a marvelous thing (the second coming part, not the persecution, of course)! Let's put our faith in the Lord and not be afraid.
- Linda, Cambridge, ON
Over the past ten years or so, I have watched in horror as my own country dismantles the very fabric of society and social values that once made Britain great. The secularists talk of 'tolerance' towards minority groups, when in fact they are terrible bigots towards people of Christian faith.
I don't live in Britain any more, and I'm not coming back, thank you. I have come to despise the country I once called home.
- Matthew Oakley, Seoul, South Korea
I go to a University here in the United States, and I can tell you I have fellow students and teachers who spew hatred against Christians on a regular basis. Now to top it all off, I am married to a Naval Officer. So now I have a lot of hatred spewed my way. During our last presedential election I was afraid to go to the University, because of the left wing hatred. I think if parents reazlied what was being taught at the so called higher learning institutes they would absolutley cringe. We need to start being aware of what is going on in our country and world wide. The media is behind a lot of the propoganda that is against Christians as is the teachers unions, etc. I look at the teenagers here in the United States, and I read the BBC reports on the children in Britian and such and I am amazed on how our youth seem to be into a moral bankruptcy. Yet we still allow the liberal media, and left wing nuts access to our children.
Face it, those in politics,and those controlling the media have no use for Christians. I look at the persecution in Germany (my mother's home country) of Christians and I am amazed, yet the world says nothing, not one word. Yet they spew their venom at their enemy the perceived Christian nation the United States.
- Andrea, St. Augustine
Absolutely, we are discriminated against. History is re-written taking out the true Christian elements of our societies. It's wrong, but it's in line with what Jesus said, "no servant is greater than his master". It's what he said would happen. But you know, we don't have to be afraid. Just trust God, no matter what happens.
- Stephanie Burton, Alabama, U.S.A.
The trouble with using the word "discrimination" when dealing with religion is that the subject is so incredibly variable, according to the sect, the school of thought, the denomination, individual commitment to the religion (fundamentalists spring immediately to mind). Someone just has to say something to the effect "That sounds so wrong to me so I can't go along with (doing/saying/whatever) in support of it". Instant discrimination.
Those "discriminated" against need to understand that EVERYONE is entitled to the same thing that they are demanding. But that isn't going to happen is it?
- Rogan M., DFW TX USA
