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This is the second in a series of guest posts on reactions from religious communities toward newly appointed British prime minister Theresa May. You can read the first installment here. 

After a time of unprecedented political turbulence, it is encouraging that Theresa May used her inaugural speech as our new Prime Minister to emphasise the need for unity in government as the UK moves –towards Brexit. The country requires strong leadership and a clear vision of the road ahead. Mrs May’s early statements, activities and cabinet appointments suggest that she may be able provide both of these.

In a society marked by great inequalities of income and opportunity, evangelicals have been especially encouraged by May’s commitment to secure ‘a fair deal for everyone’. It is clear that governments will increasingly rely upon churches and faith groups to bridge the gap between expanding social needs and diminishing public services. We’ve always been strong social activists and we will be playing our part in civil society to support this commitment to fairness in the years ahead. 

Surprisingly, we’re also very much focussed on evangelism. This means that freedom of religion and belief – for all – is inviolable.  Recently we have witnessed direct challenges to the freedoms of Christians to: proclaim the gospel; to live out gospel values; and to transmit those values to the next generation. Our recent research showed that 81% of evangelicals think that policies designed to counter extremism may make it harder for Christians to express their faith in public, and that 75% believe that freedom of speech in the UK requires greater protection.

Resulting from a fusion of secularism and sexualism in the public policies of recent liberal governments of the left and the right, we are presently faced with serious challenges to the practice of religion in public life.

In relation to counter extremism, the attempts to introduce state registration of Sunday Schools (with associated legal sanctions) represent a disturbing manifestation of this secularist statism. In order to preserve long–held liberties and to reduce the ‘chill factor’ that affects civil society groups, evangelicals would like to see the government dramatically amend or abandon these divisive measures. Such a move would re–affirm the vital and positive role of faith in public life.

Alongside this, we would like to see a clear acknowledgement by the government that freedom of religion, freedom of speech, evangelism (proselytism) and conversion from one faith to another are fundamental, non–negotiable British values – indeed, that these are signs of a free and healthy society. We hope that Mrs May will recognise the limits of the law in cultivating ‘the habits of the heart’ and that she will institute a thorough review of restrictive policies relating to ‘hate speech’, ‘non–violent extremism’ and other forms of censorship that may lead to unintended consequences.

Importantly, as she seeks to build an authentically plural public square, we hope that, Mrs May’s faith background will come to the foreground. We hope and pray that our prime minister will take measures to recognise and celebrate the huge contribution that faith groups make to our society, and that such measures would be reflected in guarantees of substantive freedoms in the realms of education, employment and family life. 
 

The views expressed in this article are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Theos or its associates.

Dr David Landrum is director of advocacy at the Evangelical Alliance UK