LIFE IN BRITAIN TODA

Life in Britain Today



Ethnicity and Identity Aspects Of 'Life In Britain Today'

Introduction

In considering the themes of this paper it is important to recognise the increased diversity of British society in terms both of ethnicity and religious affiliation, while at the same time not overstating this. The 2001 Census recorded 7.9% of the UK population as coming from minority ethnic groups. On the basis of the age structures of different groups this proportion can be expected to have increased by the time of the Census in 2011 and to continue to do so. In response to a question in the 2001 Census 76.8% of people in the UK indicated that they had a particular religious identity. 71.6% identified themselves as Christians and 5.2% identified themselves as being of other faiths. The extent of ethnic and religious diversity differs markedly from one geographical area to another. Some authorities are very diverse whereas others are not. However, the handling of diversity in appropriate ways within our national society is, of course, relevant to everyone regardless of how diverse the area is in which they live. (An, 2003, 54)

The fact that the composition of Britain's population has altered quite significantly over the last few decades has been an important factor in its public institutions needing to review their practices to respond appropriately to social change. It has also had a major impact on the way in which people understand this society and see themselves as part of it. The sense of substantial change has no doubt been heightened by the fact that it has come about over a relatively short period of time and has been accompanied by an increase in population mobility and by the consequences for this country's economy and culture of the impact of globalisation. (An, 2003, 54)

Faith and public life

Freedom to practise our faith

Everyone in the UK has “the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion”; and “freedom, either alone or in community with others, and in public or in private, to manifest his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance”.3 With this freedom, and recognising that others have similar rights to their own, British citizens of different faiths and beliefs, motivated by their particular belief and commitment, can play an active role in contributing to the common good and helping shape our shared life. Experience over recent years suggests that this diversity, while aspects of it present real challenges, does not need to be a barrier to sharing together fruitfully in our common social life and indeed can be a positive strength. (Bailey, 1997, 87)

Faith and the public sphere

There are some who would prefer to relegate religion to the purely private sphere. Yet British society has not been, and is not now, a wholly secular one, keeping entirely separate the public domain and religious faith. There has always been a dynamic relationship between public life and faith and today this reflects the engagement in the 'public square' of largely secular social and ...