In recent years some Christians in the UK have complained they’re being discriminated against because of their faith. This has led to protests, media attention, legal challenges and talks between church leaders and politicians.

There are important issues at stake, of course and many of us will be familiar with Edmund Burke’s famous observation: `"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

Religious liberty is an important principle that lies at the heart of what Baptists have always stood for.  However, I find myself uncomfortable when it comes to complaining about our `rights’ as Christians. There are a number of reasons I think but perhaps I could just highlight a couple.

Firstly, I think much of the complaining comes from an increasing sense that the Church is losing its position of influence (let’s call it power!) in our society. Among several books I read on my recent Sabbatical was Stuart Murray’s excellent `Post-Christendom’. The author urges us to examine many of the attitudes that derive from an era in which Christian beliefs and morality were imposed on others or at least assumed to be the norm.

Secondly, I find myself asking whether those voices arguing for the rights of Christians are calling for everyone else’s beliefs to be respected. I could be wrong - but I suspect not.

Stuart Murray provides a really helpful outline of the difference between secular `tolerance’ which fails to treat religious convictions seriously and true liberty which does. He also suggests that the “starting point for mission in a plural society ... is to build relationships of respect and friendship.” (p.234)

Surely this is simply an out-working of the biblical command to love our neighbours? Asked by an expert in the law: “And who is my neighbour?”, Jesus answered with the Parable of the Good Samaritan. The point is clear! Loving your neighbour means caring for the one who is different, who is the outsider, the foreigner.

As disciples of Jesus we cannot demand religious liberty for ourselves without doing the same for people of other faiths – our neighbours in more ways than one! Failing to do so places us alongside the priest and Levite in Jesus’ parable. Doing so is what following Jesus calls for. It could also help others discover the reality of Christ in our lives.

Keith Judson (Regional Minister)