Being a christian myself I highly agree with this.

I think if you look again you'll find this is a secular country, which I think is a good thing. Rather a secular country than a nation of hypocrites.

This point raised is fair. The National Secular Society has raised objections of people even praying in council chambers The theophobia or religiousophobia which this organisation seeks to promote would make it an offence for anyone in authority to simply admit they have religious beliefs publically, as their charter states "Political leaders should not express religious preferences in the course of their duties".
Surely to have restored freedom of expression, we need to repeal recent partisan laws and permit people to say what they want, providing they do not promote physical or mental harm against others. The problem with the present legislation is Christian and Muslim minority communities are being victimized and viciously prejudiced against throughout secular media without the right to reply. There has to be a kind of personal vendetta then slander or libel laws can be used.
A fairer system would allow people to appeal to something like a small claims court with an independent panel of experts with representatives of both sides with the power to fine or restrict the activities of institutionalized prejudice against religious beliefs. If they continue then they would be in breach of a judicial decision.
E.g. Books, Magazines, Newspapers, Radio and TV depict Christians as engaging in activities of abuse and aggression against gays- this is nothing but propaganda and is making many atheists and agnostics feel free to express anti-Christian and prejudice against Christians and their beliefs.

I agree with the statement put forward but we must be carefull about passing laws.There are extreemists Christian groups who like extreemists of other faiths would silence any other views.I am a Christian but would defend anyone's right to rubish my beliefs or actions.Freedom of speach must always be possible.We should be judged by how we live our lives and our love of our fellow man.I am all for interfaith dialogue and sharing.

Where are Christmas and Easter cards (of any type) barred? I've always found plenty on sale, in season.

In today's secular society a persecution complex leads to a diagnosis of paranoia

>webdesigner "Why am I called a bigot and told to 'shut up' if I say that I think homosexuals are wrong?"

Because it's bigotted and we find it offensive.

What makes you think you can pick and choose which bits of the Bible to follow and which to ignore? Or do you think that eating shellfish and shaving your sideburns is also an abomination.

Also, if Christians don't have religious freedom, how come I'm watching Songs of Praise right now?

Just as you are free to say that homosexuality is wrong and refer to the bible as your reasoning, others are free to claim that is is acceptable and refer to whatever they wish to refer to as their reasoning. We get debates which can be heated, but I don't believe you are banned from expressing your side.

"Respect" does not mean "Deference".

If you act to harm a homosexual person, including for example to deny them their livelihood, then you need far more than "the bible says so" to justify that. Otherwise you will be told to stop. That is fair. The law in this country has to balance their rights as well as yours.

Prayers before meetings - why should those in the meeting who are non-Christian have to pray to your god? I've experienced situations where it went beyond merely a minute or so while someone prayed, to overtly religious statements in the meetings and collections for things like sending bibles to "spread The Word" in foreign countries. Maybe that's an exception to the norm.

There's nothing stopping you praying yourself before the meeting. Remember Matthew 6:5 and 6:6, which if I understand correctly warns against prayer to be seen praying.

I think some of the problem comes from the evangelicals. If more Christians were less condemning of others and presented a less condemning message it would be easier to get along with the positive. Tension comes when we have such unmoving absolutes rather than agreeing on the common good. Some of us can be exposed to this message too much, even though most Christians seem quite liberal.

Concerning some of the news releases (which seem to tend to come from a certain lobbying organisation), "witnessing" to a critically ill child is not polite, especially when you are in a position of responsibility and have a duty of care not to cause distress. I understand the nurse was offered the option of wearing her cross as a badge not a necklace, so handily solving the health risks that it presented. That sounds fair to me.

We live in a country where there are churches on many corners, where there are evangelical events widely advertised, where there is religious programming on the state TV and radio stations, where religion is part of school life by law. I don't think you are oppressed.

God has given us all the freedom to choose. We can choose to believe him or reject him. Since he has given us that freedom we should be wary about taking it away. Those epeople who reject Christianity are expressing a God given freedom- I think they are wrong, but then that too is my freedom. The worrying thing that I see today is that those who advocate tolerance want it for everone but Christians. An example of this is that Christians are being procecuted for saying that the Bible teaches that Homosexuality is against God's plan for people. I think that this statement is tight but under equality and diversity laws I am at risk of being prosecuted. And that is not tolerance but repressive.

This isn't a christian country any more. Christianity should not be given any more (or less) tolerance than any other way of thinking.

I'm not aware of anywhere where christian worship is repressed in this country. I think this is something of a straw man. One star.

There should be total separation between religion and the state. Feel free to put up your own religious symbols but don't expect the rest of us to endorse them via our taxes and our government institutions.