(Fotolia) One of my oldest friends, MP John Hayes, is senior parliamentary adviser to British Prime Minister David Cameron.I was best man at John's wedding, love him like a brother, so I know the political scene in London rather well. Which is why I was more than a little amused when Cameron told his country and the world that the British should be more evangelical about their Christianity and that Britain is a Christian nation.
I agree with him, but the point is the British prime minister has disregarded and alienated Christians for most of his administration, which is why so many of them are abandoning his Tories for the UK Independence Party –and why this conversion on the road to a rainy, fish-and-chips Damascus has suddenly taken place.
Be that as it may, Britain – just like Canada – is indeed Christian by foundation and culture and should proclaim that fact loud and long. Our rule of law, our respect for pluralism, our innate sense of justice, our commitment to the poor and needy are not some random product or construct of a political accident.
If you believe otherwise, why is there is no Muslim country on Earth that enjoys anything like democratic values? Why were the atheistic regimes of Hitler and Stalin so odious? Why have even gentle countries build around Buddhism or Hinduism not produced particularly desirable states and why are they generally at their best when replicating the Christian world?
It's at this point that the cries of racism and bigotry emerge from the intellectual sewers, but anybody who thinks ethnicity has anything to do with this is a perhaps a racist themselves. A belief in divine retribution, in turning the other cheek, in a preferential option for the poor, in following the prince of peace, has absolutely nothing to do with colour or background.
The West's problem is that whether it's Britain, Canada, the U.S. or Europe, we are drenched in guilt and assume that what we have is somehow the result of exploitation. Not at all. It's more the consequence of enlightenment.
Of course terrible things have been done in the name of Christianity, but then terrible things have been done in the name of love, justice, equity and certainly atheism. The difference with Christianity is that evil is committed not because but in spite of its teachings.
Today Christianity is being pushed to the margins, far more in Europe than here. That's partly the result of certain Christian behaviour and a bewildering inability to present the Gospel without coating it in reactionary attitudes.
But it's also because the faith is seen to be of a past generation and a belief system that says no rather than yes.
Unfortunately, the answer is sometimes no. If you believe materialism and immorality are acceptable so be it. Christianity asks for something higher and greater, and that can make a lot of people extremely uncomfortable.
David Cameron has come to the right point for the wrong reasons. But better late than never.
Ask yourself if you'd rather live in a country not founded on Christianity and with Christian virtues. It's a rhetorical question, as long as you're honest!
By Michael Coren ,QMI Agency
