The Church of England has accused the last Labour government of being ‘religiously illiterate’ and treating believers as ‘sub-rational’ elements that must be contained. Left-wing politicians fostered a culture of suspicion towards all faith groups in the aftermath of the 2005 and 2001 attacks by Islamic extremists in London and the US, according to a Church report. 'While senior Conservatives have a more positive view of the role of religion in public life, many Liberal Democrats remain deeply sceptical', the report from the Church’s Mission and Public Affairs department said. The criticism came as the Church of England outlined plans to run community cohesion projects to improve relations between different faiths. It is now bidding for £5 million as part of its response to David Cameron’s vision of the ‘Big Society’. The Communities Secretary, Eric Pickles, has promised that the days of the state trying to ‘suppress’ Christianity and other faiths are ‘over’.

Pray: for politicians of all parties that they will appreciate and recognise the positive role of faith communities in the U.K. (2Ch.30:12)

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