The Prime Minister, Theresa May, has been reported to say that Christians have become fearful of discussing their faith in public because of violent reaction from others against them. She has emphasised that Christians must be free to speak about their faith and celebrate the impending festival of Christmas without fear of repercussions. This seems surprising that even though Britain must be predominantly a Christian country, Christians have to be at the receiving end of such threats against them.
It would seem unfair for Christians to be fearful in following their age old traditions like Christmas and Easter while others can celebrate their religious events without interference from others. This is a country where people of other religions are free to follow their faith, erect temples and mosques and other places of worship without let or hinderence. It must be observed, however, that for some reason or other attendances at churches have declined to the extent that people of other faiths are buying disused church buildings and converting them into places of worship and community halls for their use. In a tolerant society like Britain, let us follow the Jain tenet of “Live and let others live”. Let us follow our own traditions and let others follow theirs.
Dinesh Sheth
Newbury Park, Ilford
