Britain's religious right is on the rise - The Guardian
1st February 2013
A year ago, an episode reminiscent of America's polarised "culture wars" unfolded in a leafy central London square as hundreds of pro-choice and anti-abortion protesters confronted one another outside an abortion clinic.
Months before, a parliamentary bid to stop abortion providers from giving NHS-funded counselling to women failed, but resulted in the government establishing an all-party group to consider ways of incorporating the "spirit" of the proposals into law. To pro-choice activists and others, Britain's abortion laws were facing their greatest challenge for decades – one perceived to be emanating to a large extent from a socially conservative, religiously motivated movement.
But is there a "religious right" emerging in Britain? It is an interesting question, and one which the public theology thinktank Theos has attempted to answer in a report published today.
Its verdict? The case for the existence of a religious right appears superficially strong amid evidence of greater co-ordination among Christian groups with a strong socially conservative commitment on issues including sexuality, marriage and religious freedom.
Theos - The public theology think tank
Clear thinking on religion and society
hello@theosthinktank.co.uk@theosthinktank020 7828 7777
Reports
Is there a “Religious Right” emerging in Britain?
Andy Walton looks at whether there is a "Religious Right" emerging in Britain
Theos in the Media
The Serpent’s Promise: the Bible Retold as Science
Nick Spencer reviews Steve Jones' "The Serpent's Promise: The Bible Retold at Science"
Theos in the Media
Britain's religious right is on the rise - The Guardian
1st February 2013
A year ago, an episode reminiscent of America's polarised "culture wars" unfolded in a leafy central London square as hundreds of pro-choice and anti-abortion protesters confronted one another outside an abortion clinic.
Months before, a parliamentary bid to stop abortion providers from giving NHS-funded counselling to women failed, but resulted in the government establishing an all-party group to consider ways of incorporating the "spirit" of the proposals into law. To pro-choice activists and others, Britain's abortion laws were facing their greatest challenge for decades – one perceived to be emanating to a large extent from a socially conservative, religiously motivated movement.
But is there a "religious right" emerging in Britain? It is an interesting question, and one which the public theology thinktank Theos has attempted to answer in a report published today.
Its verdict? The case for the existence of a religious right appears superficially strong amid evidence of greater co-ordination among Christian groups with a strong socially conservative commitment on issues including sexuality, marriage and religious freedom.
Ben Quinn | To read this article in full, please see www.guardian.co.uk