The Church And State In British Society - Essay Example

He expressed his concern, however, that secularists and atheists would capitalize on attempts to separate church and state by saying religion was in an increasingly precarious position in British life (Church and state could separate in the UK, says Archbishop of Canterbury 2008). Religion and belief in God are facing a tough time at present in many countries. Atheists are growing in numbers and they argue for the separation of religion and politics. Secularists and atheists can attack the religion in the absence of political protection according to the archbishop.

Soper & Fetzer (n. d) have mentioned that religion, which was at the center of political conflict in Europe a century ago, became less important politically in the middle decades of the twentieth century (Soper & Fetzer n. d, p.3). it is a fact that the influence of religion on politics becoming feeble at present. The massacres committed by some communal groups on behalf of religion have opened the eyes of British community to think in terms of the dangers associated with the blending of religion and politics.

9/11 and the recent Mumbai terrorist attacks clearly indicate how dangerous if religion interferes with the politics. In short, the British politics is historically associated with religion and the influence of religion on politics is coming down for the time being. Even the religious leaders found no harm in separating religion and politics even though they have certain concerns about the how the secularists and atheists utilize it.