Lord Carey slams 'bigoted atheists' who want religion gone from public life

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey of Clifton has condemned discrimination suffered by Christians at work and said that British society is becoming increasingly "illiterate" about religious faith.

Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, Lord Carey said: "Despite the fact that a knowledge of religion is an ever-more important key to understanding the world around us, expressions of religious opinion or practice are often misunderstood or provoke discomfort, anxiety and even hostility, rather than toleration."

He referred to the recent report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission on religion in the workplace which found that many believers – and some humanists and atheists – have encountered discrimination.

He said: "In fact, the main hostility towards religious believers comes from a very small minority of bigoted atheists who seek to banish all religious belief from public life completely."

He cited examples from the report in which a girl who said that she believed God created the universe was ridiculed by her teacher and cases where Catholic jewellery such as crucifixes were banned in a workplace, while piercings and tattoos were allowed.

Lord Carey continued: "I would argue that now, more than ever, we need Christian people to speak up for their faith, to articulate their beliefs in sensible and courteous ways."

He concluded: "I say to Christians of all denominations: don't be intimidated by a hostile workplace and challenge the hostility with good humour. Regain your confidence in a loving and forthright faith. And speak of it. It is simply a matter of freedom of speech."

The 200-page EHRC report collated around 2,500 responses, mainly from Christians. A recurring theme was the hostility felt towards religious belief in the workplace.