MP Welcomes Faith and Nation Report

Loughborough MP Andy Reed has this week welcomed the publication of the landmark report by the Evangelical Alliance, ‘Faith and Nation’. Andy, a member of the Commission of Inquiry, contributed to the production of the report, which is the product of three years’ work and represents one of the most comprehensive studies of the place of religion in the socio-political life of 21st century Britain.

‘Faith and Nation’ gives 100 recommendations on areas as diverse as religious liberty, the environment, and constitutional matters, including the call for the Coronation Ceremony to retain the phrase ‘Defender of the Faith’. The report also tackled the issue of establishment of the Church of England. Although the report did not reach any firm conclusions, Andy was in favour of ending the formal links between church and state.

The report, while not rejecting outright proposals to remove or reduce the number of bishops in the House of Lords, emphasised the need for any revised second chamber to reflect the contribution of faith in the nation.

Andy welcomed the report’s affirmation of the significant role that faith must play in any society and in particular the role of Christianity given that 72% of the UK population identified themselves as Christian in the 2001 Census. He agreed that this must be reflected in policies that aim to strengthen marriage and preserve the sanctity and dignity of human life.

He especially welcomed the report’s recommendation to promote a healthy ‘work-life balance’ and to urge the government to keep Sunday special; a campaign that he has consistently supported.

Reed said:

“I welcome the publication of the report, which comes at a critical time as discussion of the role of religion in society is coming to the fore. I believe this report will play a vital role in facilitating the debate about the significance of religion in the public sphere in the UK today.”

“I am delighted that the report confirmed the significance of the Christian contribution to the House of Lords and the importance of maintaining the phrase Defender of the Faith.”

“I am also grateful that ‘Faith and Nation’ has reiterated the significance of keeping Sunday special.”

“It is important that Christians remain active in the public sphere and the Faith and Nation report is a welcome resource for equipping and enabling Christians to respond to the challenges posed by today’s multicultural society.”

Dr. R. David Muir, the Evangelical Alliance’s Public Policy Director, said:

“The report offers Christians, people of other faiths, and those of no faith, resources for engagement, discussion and action on a wide range of contemporary issues. We hope the report will help people understand the continued importance of the Christian faith in 21st century Britain”.