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Religion now more divisive than race, says public
Nicholas Cecil, Chief Political Correspondent20.01.09
AT least four out of 10 Muslims do not believe that communities should be forced to integrate in Britain, according to a new poll.
It also found that religion has become a more divisive issue than race.
The survey for the Government's Equalities and Human Rights Commission revealed that more than half of the public believe it is likely that the UK will have a non-white prime minister within 20 years.
However, the black and Afro-Caribbean community, 56 per cent of which believe that the failings of the 1999 police inquiry into the murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence in south-east London in 1993 would still be repeated today, retain some reservations about progress in race relations.
But a greater number of people in all communities apart from Muslims believe that Britain has become more racially tolerant.
Commission chairman Trevor Phillips said: "It is heartening to recognise that here in Britain we have a sophisticated sense of our own identity and an appreciation and interest in difference.
"But we can't be complacent. The survey points to emerging religious divisions.
"And as we mark a darker moment in our own history, the 10th anniversary of the inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence, it is clear the police still have work to do to convince our ethnic-minority communities they deserve their trust."
Reader views (11)
4 out of 10 dont which means 6 out of 10 do
- Colin, South London England
Li Ching Chu is absolutely right, and reminds us how stupid our government has been to pander to extremists.
- Robert, London UK
I agree wholeheartedly with Li Ching Cho. The Chinese and other Orientals work hard and virtually in silence, especially when compared with those who see religion as a weapon for political purposes.
- Js, Portsmouth
Religion has always been divisive the lessons of history support this.The Blair government have made the situation worse by encouraging faith schools,faith groups etc,and then passing laws to empower such groups,its totally ridiculous,look at the cases we have seen in the courts recently millions spent on such cases,and its only a belief.Ministers know this thay are not stupid,but its the old adage" divide and control"They will then throw there arms up in horror no doubt when we reach a situation like Bosnia etc.
- Kev, London-UK
It is us Chinese who have been here for years serving food and laundry services as well as serving in forces to help protect GB which suffer discrimination in silence. How many of us appear on tv or in adverts. We have our religion and practice it and at the same time respect Christians in fact many of us have joined them.
We love this country and the traditional values, please respect is our fault working and studying too hard maybe our color is too bright. We would like the same favours as given to our ethnic friends and no we do not envy we just get on with our lives as best we can of course we integrate but not with drunken hooligans.
- Li Ching Chu, Bournemouth
I am glad to live away from the UK in a culture that is at peace with itself. I would rather live in the third world in a country moving forward than a first world country going backward. British culture is based on 2000 years of Christian values, just because people are turning to atheism does not mean we should throw out are value system.
- Mike, Santiago, Chile
What happened to freedom of choice? if you don't want to integrate, then don't, but don't then try and impose your rules/values on others around you.
- Paul, London
No-one should be *forced* to integrate. This should remain a free country! However, everyone is required equally to obey the laws of the United Kingdom. If someone cannot reconcile that requirement with their religion, they should leave the country, not break the law.
Also, it is high time that special treatment for those who refuse to integrate is ended. For example, taxpayers money should not be spent on translation services. Those who don't speak English should learn it, or pay for their own translators.
- Nigel, London
If there really is a God, the first thing he/she should do is ban religion.
- Mark, Bournemouth England
Britain is not racially tolerant - we just now have a raft of laws which prevent people from publicly saying what they are thinking - Just look at the recent coverage of Prince Harry etc. We also bend over backwards for these minority groups as well because we have a gutless government who refuses to stand up for the rights of its own citizens.
- Fly, london
You should live in a community which espouses the same values as you - not foist your values on other people: that's the nub of it. Personally I think it's pretty rude to enter someone's country which has a thousand years of one particular culture and force it to accept your own, contrary one.
And no - before someone mentions it - I don't feel the actions taken 150 years ago, by people not related to me, in the name of the British Empire (nor, for that matter, the much earlier Roman one!) negate my right to that view.
- Roz, Chamonix, France
