Religion, law and the constitution
Balancing beliefs in Britain
“I think that overall British society compared to other parts of the world is more open and democratic, is more accepting of different races and cultures. We have problems of course we do, but if you compare the UK to many European countries, to North America, China and the developing nations like India, I think that we have many things to be proud of. “
“I am not saying that the principle of equality comes entirely from Christianity, but at least Christianity does not say that we have more value as Christians than other faith believers… Equality is one of the main principles of Christianity.”
“What we need in our society is caring and compassionate MPs and a proper understanding of what we need as human beings and to fight on our behalf. In the past we have been dominated by upper class men, but I don’t think it is doing anyone a favour when we set up quotas. I think you need the right people. If you do, they will be good representatives, but if you don’t have the right education, there will be barriers for many people. We must try to take away those barriers. “
“For lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people, the law is equal but that doesn’t mean that they experience equality at all times. They still experience discrimination and social prejudice, which affects their abilities to live like heterosexual people do. So, I think the law is equal, but not the social reality.”
“It is important to have rules, to reinforce and codify the ethical sense that all of us share. But my experience of acting as a manager has shown me that it is impossible to have perfect collective decision-making and there will always be conflict within this. “
“Our society seems to be moving so far in the direction of selfishness,. To me that should be right up there in terms of what people do in their family, their community or whatever. They should think of other people first. “
“Democracy is not perfect, but it is better than any other form of government. That said, there are different types of democracy. A majoritarian democracy is hard on minorities. That is the case in France. In this country we are relatively fortunate. British democracy is ‘messy’, but it functions pretty well.”
“Although Parliament is the elected body and the law is supposed to be for the good of all, sometimes the way the laws are made is perhaps to the detriment of the whole or part of the community out of emotion rather than logic, and that is where the judicial rulings can make a difference.”
“I do have a strong belief that ethical standards should underpin all application of power so there need to be mechanisms to ensure that political and economic power is subject to internal ethical review, to make sure that people always behave for the good of society.”
“I feel in a very privileged position and I mustn’t abuse it. My biggest worry is about the lack of engagement of many people in our country. I have a worry about wider civil society. “
“I don’t think the State intervenes too much in terms of religion and belief. As you know, you can believe in what you like, provided that it is not criminal. You can worship as you wish, provided that you don’t do things such as human sacrifice.”
“We shouldn’t have an official Church. Times have changed… but I like the Royal Family. I watch them now and then on TV and what I like is… people say they don’t do anything, but they do. They do a lot.”
“I think that because of our cultural history people are inclined to toleration in the sense of indifference, we are willing to let people keep on with their own stuff as long as it is not bothering anybody else.”
“I think fundamentally it is important to be a law abiding citizen. I think one’s personal opinion of the law shouldn’t come into that. Merely because one thinks a law isn’t just that isn’t a good enough reason to break it.”
“There have been instances in my job in which I have helped people that I didn’t have to and many people wouldn’t have done it. However, I felt I had to do it. So, if there is something unfair and I have to speak out, I do.”
“People who resort to violence in Islam are a very small minority and they don’t represent Islamic values at all. The thing with Islam for me is peace and tolerance. If someone is ridiculing you, take the higher position… leave it. Don’t listen to him. If you don’t pay attention, you don’t give him the power. “
“With the responsibility to vote, there is also a massive responsibility to ensure that there is strong accountability. Too many politicians and political leaders are allowed to get away with their broken promises once in power. “
“St Benedict gives us a perfect picture of the abbot. In one sense he has absolute power, but he has to make decisions for the greater good of the whole community, not for his own personal ends. Power must be tempered with justice, mercy and humility – that would be a good Anglican approach.”
“There is a difficult balance between personal liberty and group liberty and the needs of national security. Wherever the two come into serious conflict there are difficult choices and they will never be easily made. “
“Democracy isn’t about having elections, democracy is what happens between elections really….and I suppose the biggest issue for most people is whether you’ve got access to the systems – that you can influence them – that you can converse them….that you’re consulted when changes are in the offing.”
“Sometimes within the Church I think a benevolent dictator would be better, but within the country I don’t think that would be good. It is very important to me that we live in a democracy and we have a say in the way we are governed and I think the Church accepts that as well.”
“For any contemporary society, universal human rights are crucial. Every citizen needs to be assured that they have the same level of redress, the same level of justice, guaranteed.”
“Immigration has meant that we have been exposed to lots of experiences. This society is, generally speaking, tolerant, although we should not fall into complacency, as there is an increasing number of cases of xenophobia, antisemitism, islamophobia, etc. We need to keep an eye on those problems.”
“I think the most important thing that must be done in this country at grassroots level, not from the top but in local areas, is to encourage religious communities not to be distrustful of other communities. They must tolerate others at least and if possible, engage in dialogue and find things in common, work together.”
“If you don’t act within the law even if you don’t agree with it, you run the risk of having anarchy. It’s as simple as that, and if you don’t agree with the law then you have every right to try and change it and in a free society you can demonstrate against it. “
There seems to be lots of intolerance in certain section of society about religion in general. In the media, the BBC in particular I suppose, there does seem to be a sort of balance towards the new atheism, against religion and that makes life difficult.
“If you belong to a supranational body, such as the European Union, there must be a bit of give and take. You gain a lot of it, but it probably also means that there are times in which we don’t get our ways. We have to do what the rest of Europe has decided it is ok. “
“I absolutely love Parliamentary democracy. There is no better alternative. It is the best system we have devised, I am extremely privileged to live under one and I am committed to it.”
“I think GB is an equal and tolerant society in relation to religion and belief. We had struggles in the last five to ten years about certain aspects of manifestation of religious beliefs in the work place and society, but generally, yes. When you think about, and you take a step back globally and you can meet, whatever faith you are, and you can meet freely in this country, you can start a school, you can meet together for worship.”
“I think advocacy is a major, major, major, and very strong tool, and many people either don’t have the ability to do it for themselves, and they need others to do it for them. The more you speak against injustices, the more you share information with people and cast a light on issues which are happening, the more likely it is that change will eventually happen.”
“I think schools should focus on understanding amongst different religions, because that is where the divide starts… I think it would be more of an integrated society if schools dealt with religion. I think people would know more about the real world then.”
“We are so lucky to live in a country which is tolerant or all faiths and none, and is not prescriptive about what individuals should believe. Our society tolerates and welcomes all different beliefs and none.”
“I’m not sure that you can discriminate on people on the basis of religion, but I certainly wouldn’t want them to be in a privilege position when it comes to making laws.”
“If you believe that God is beyond perception and we all have our own quest then that’s all right. So there isn’t a faith which I believe is the right or the correct faith, I think that people of faith are on the same quest.”
“There is much more tolerance of diversity in religious belief and practice. Whether that leads to equality depends on where you are and what you are doing.”
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