"How much Christianity is hidden in British society?”

 

This was a recent topic covered by the BBC journalist Stephen Tomkins. The article, which can be found in full on their website was intriguing and the scope of it is covered here. Britain is in many ways a secular state, and traditional beliefs and practices have collapsed, but perhaps the UK's national culture is still more religious than we often notice. Trying to take all the religion out of it would be not so much like taking the raisins out of a fruitcake as like taking the chocolate out of a chocolate cake.

So here are some of the places in British society where Christian heritage can easily be uncovered...

 

Calendar

The academic year revolves around Christmas and Easter holidays and many days such as Valentines Day (Saints Day), Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday) and Halloween (rid of evil) have religious significance. Our seven day week roots back to Judaism and the origin of ‘holidays’ comes from the religious term ‘holy days’.  

 

Language

Our language is thick with God and matters arising. Most swearwords, along with milder exclamations, if they are not related to bodily functions or organs, are religious. For example, ‘Oh my God’ ‘For God’s Sake’.

 

Sport

Football may be a religion in itself, with its worship, rituals, vestments and tribalism, but it still has room for Christian traditions. Witness how players cross themselves and point heavenwards, or put their hands together and pray to the referee to avoid being booked or sent off.

Fans also sing many chants to the tunes of hymns and begin each game with ‘God Save the Queen.

 

Food and Drink

There are brands and products that take their name from religious sources, whether for historical reasons or just because it sounds good. So there are Quaker Oats and Cathedral City, Angel Delight, and hot cross buns. There are Saints Ivel, Agur and Austell.

 

Folklore

Superstitions are supposed to have religious roots. In medieval lore, Satan loved to take the form of a black cat and hated salt, a symbol of purity, hence the unluckiness of seeing the one and the remedy of throwing the other over one's shoulder.

Fear of the number 13 may have stemmed from Judas being the 13th member of the Last Supper. And we still bless people when they sneeze

 

National Identity

St Andrew's Day is a public holiday in Scotland, as is St Patrick's Day in Ireland, though attempts to do the same for David and George have not so far succeeded. Their crosses mean that British flags commemorate three Christian martyrdoms, while the British national anthem is a prayer that mentions God about as often as humanly possible

 

And finally Music

Religion is a recurrent theme for many of the most respected and/or best-selling music acts. Witness everything from the gospel of Elvis and Mariah Carey to the hymns of Bob Marley and Van Morrison. Many musicians convey their spirituality during songs, and the ever popular musical ‘Jesus Christ, Superstar’ is based on the life of Jesus.