'Erosion of Christianity' attacked

12 April 2012

One of the most senior figures in the Church of England has criticised the "systematic erosion" of Christianity in public life.

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, spoke out about the official government Christmas cards which merely wish "Seasons Greetings", Santa on stamps instead of Christ, and what he called "Wintervalitis", where local authorities shy away from celebrating Christmas in case it offended people of other faiths.

He also criticised the decision by Plymouth Council to end free parking on Sundays in case it offended people who worship on other days, and complained about the advent of "first name" rather than "Christian name" on official documents.

He blamed "illiberal atheists" who aim to avoid causing offence, by removing faith from public life, but "end up offending everyone".

The Archbishop cited the decision eight years ago by Birmingham City Council to rename Christmas "Winterval" which was made to avoid offending others. He said the then Bishop of Birmingham Mark Santer led a campaign, backed by other faiths, to make the council switch back.

The Archbishop added: "But in the eight years since Winterval there have been many other instances and decisions where Christianity is being systematically eroded from public view - more often than not in the fear of offending those who would not be offended in the least or because of the mistaken belief that Christianity has no role to play in the public arena."

Dr Sentamu, speaking to church lay readers at a dinner in Newcastle on Friday night, added: "This systematic erosion is subtle, with minor changes which drip by drip erode centuries of Christian heritage and identity.

"Examples can be seen all over officialdom: the change in official Government cards from "Happy Christmas" to "Seasons Greetings", the change to the asking for a "first name" instead of a "Christian name", the slow chipping away at the foundational heritage that gave birth to those values we all share."

He also mentioned Torbay Council's removal of a cross from its crematorium, the Royal Mail Christmas stamps which do not feature Jesus and Plymouth's Sunday parking charges.

He said: "The people of Plymouth corporately need to make a robust but peaceful response. Long-standing traditions can not be simply swept aside by a stroke of a pen."

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