Matthew Parris: I stand up for Christianity, even though I don’t believe in it

Dec 24, 2016 by Jill

from The Times:

[…] The Prince of Wales was giving his Thought for the Day on BBC radio. His message was of humanity’s path, by faith, to tolerance; and in using the phrase “Our Lord Jesus Christ” he was testifying to his own faith. This listener does not share that faith…

…So logic suggests I should have shrugged, or turned away. Instead — I cannot deny it — I felt a small, unexpected rush of pride. The heir to the throne and defender of the faith was speaking as a man in his position ought to: carrying on the tradition on which his authority, and with it the good that he can do, depends. Again, I cannot deny it: this felt right to me.

[…] So here’s a pretty pickle. Your columnist, who would not defend the theory of monarchy, hears a prince testifying to a religion in which the columnist does not believe — yet hears this with lifted heart…

Read here (£)