The former Archbishop’s views are shared by Susie Leafe, director of the evangelical Anglican group Reform. Speaking to Christian Today, she said: “I think we would be better to describe ourselves as a post-Christian country. We need to acknowledge that we have inherited laws and a culture shaped by Christianity.”
She also suggested that while Britain may be leaving its Christian identity behind, what it is taking up instead is unclear, and therefore Christians need to better present the advantages of a strong faith presence in public life.
“We are in danger of frittering away our legacy without a coherent alternative,” she said.
“David Cameron’s comments reflect the latent Christian understanding that many in the UK relate to. The job of our churches is to say that there is so much more on offer.”
Susie Leafe’s comments are right on the money, and the members of Reform are doing a great job of presenting a strong and active witness to the British public. The question is, to what extent can they continue to do that within the Church of England, when its hierarchy are continuing Lord Williams’ work of leading the CofE away from historic Christianity?
[blockquote] “Lord Williams takes the view that Britain is “a lot less secular than the most optimistic members of the British Humanist Association would think”.” [/blockquote]
No doubt about that. But the liberalism which ++Williams actively tolerated and encouraged in the CofE turns Britons away from church in droves.
[blockquote] “”Given that we have a younger generation now who know less about [Britain’s Christian] legacy … there may be a further shrinkage of awareness and commitment,” he said.”
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It is ironic that the evangelical Anglicans to whom ++Williams gave negligible support have a high proportion of that younger generation in their pews.