A Vicar has expressed his concern for increasing “hostility” towards Christianity in Britain after a teacher was banned for a remark made to a Muslim pupil.
Speaking to GB News, Christ Church New Malden Vicar Stephen Kurht hit out at the decision, declaring he is “concerned for free speech”.
The teacher at a London primary school was reported to his local child protection board following remarks made to pupils.
The incident arose after the educator, who does not wish to be named, allegedly reprimanded pupils for using sinks in the boys’ toilets to wash their feet.
The teacher has since been banned from working with children after telling a Muslim pupil that “Britain is still a Christian state”.
Reacting to the ban, Mr Kurht told the People’s Channel: “Well, I don’t know what how what tone the comment was said with, I don’t know what provocation there might have been in the context.
“I was a school teacher myself, and I know there can be a rather unfortunate standoffs that occur. But I am concerned about the free speech implications of this.”
He added: “I am concerned about safeguarding being weaponised, but I suppose what I’m most concerned about is the really unfortunate standoff that can occur between asserting that Britain is traditionally a Christian country, but Christianity has at its heart respect and love for everyone, it’s not exclusive.”
Vicar Stephen Kurht has expressed his concern after a teacher was banned for telling a Muslim pupil that Britain is ‘still a Christian state’
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Hitting out at the “polarisation” of cultures within Britain, Mr Kurht said: “It’s trying to sort of include everyone within that love and respect, and what I regret about these incidents is the way that things so often become polarised, with people on opposite sides throwing rocks at each other.
“Those who want the inclusion of other faiths, sort of being hostile to those who want to uphold the Christian traditions of this country. And really, it’s not beyond our wit to reconcile those two things together – we are traditionally a Christian country.”
He admitted: “Of course, we’re increasingly post-Christian, but at the same time, a lot of people are rediscovering the value of Christianity.
“And I think it’s really important that we assert that as authentic Christianity, which isn’t sort of in any way oppressive, but seeks to show love and welcome and respect to everyone.”
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As host Martin Daubney highlighted that one of the “fundamental pillars of Christianity” is forgiveness and understanding, he suggested in modern Britain, it is a word “not afforded to Christians”.
The Vicar responded: “I think that can quite often be the case, and I think we have to be honest about that. I think there is a sense that Christianity is sometimes seen as fair game, because it’s associated with the establishment, and I think we’ve got to be honest about that.
“And of course, there’s a legacy of sort, the history and all sorts of terrible incidents that have happened in the past. But I think it’s about cutting through that and saying to the pupils concerned, well, this is traditionally a Christian country, Britain, but we are growing directly out of that a love and respect or what should be a love and respect for everyone.
“And it’s very unfortunate, as I say, when these events escalate, they perpetuate division and they set people against each other, and Christianity is meant to be doing the very opposite.
“As you rightly say, Martin, it’s about forgiveness, it’s about respect. It’s about the dignity of every single person and every single community, and I think particularly approaching Christmas, that’s what we’ve got to work towards.”
Asked whether he believes there is a “growing intolerance” towards Christianity in Britain, Mr Kurht agreed: “I think there has been for quite a while. I grew up in the 80s, part of generation X, and it was very difficult as a teenager to be a Christian.
“What I detect is a newfound respect by a lot of people for Christianity. I love the fact you have the Daily Reflection on GB News by a Christian minister every morning – that would have been unheard of in the 1980s to have that, so it’s a mixture.
“You’ve got some people really embracing Christianity with a newfound enthusiasm, perhaps others very suspicious of it, often for very good reasons. Christianity has had a very chequered history in this country, and really, what we’ve got to make sure is it’s authentic Christianity, and that we show love and respect to all.”