A new report from Voice for Justice UK (VFJ) warns that Christianity is being marginalised in the UK, and those who profess Christianity are often treated with contempt. The study is based on responses from 1,562 UK Christians about their experiences of religious intolerance and discrimination.
Only 53% of respondents feel free to express their opinions on social issues, with the figure falling to 38% among those under 35.
More than half of Christians (56%) reported they had been harassed or ridiculed when discussing their religious beliefs, rising to 61% among young people under the age of 35.
Additionally, 78% of respondents believe that religious discrimination is not taken as seriously as other forms of discrimination.
Respondents felt that discrimination against Christianity was often overlooked. Specific examples included the production of a calendar by the National Trust which included celebrations of other religions and events such as LGBT+ History Month, but not Christian celebrations. Many Christians noted efforts to accommodate other religions, while feeling that their own beliefs were not given the same consideration.
Although 78% of Christians feel comfortable talking about their faith, a quarter said they felt the need to hide it at work, rising to a third among those under 35.
Half of those surveyed said there were negative stereotypes about people of faith in their places of work or study.
Examples include a Catholic student being ostracised by university friends for his pro-life views and being ridiculed or ignored for their beliefs by Christian workers in the NHS and local councils.
Member of Parliament Nick Fletcher highlighted the importance of Christianity in the fundamental values of British society, such as tolerance and freedom of conscience. He stressed the need to disseminate the report to raise awareness of discrimination against Christians.
According to Christian Today, VFJ director Linda Rose described the findings as worrying and highlighted the importance of Christianity in maintaining tolerance and acceptance of diversity in British society. She said society is victim to an ideology hostile to Christianity, which goes against equality and discrimination laws.
The report was compiled in response to a study by the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians, which ranked the UK among the five worst countries in Europe for anti-Christian hate crime. Additionally, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has criticised European governments, including the United Kingdom, for their treatment of individuals such as Isabel Vaughan-Sprouse, a pro-life volunteer accused of silently praying near abortion clinics.
The Voice for Justice UK report highlights growing concern about discrimination and marginalisation of Christians in the UK. The findings suggest a need for greater awareness and measures to ensure that religious discrimination is taken as seriously as other forms of discrimination, thereby protecting diversity and freedom of expression in British society.
