Product Description

It is often claimed that Great Britain is one of the most secular nations on earth, but Ian Bradley argues that 'Britishness' (like the overlapping crosses on the 400-year-old Union flag) is best understood in religious terms. He maintains that the idea of 'being British' has special value as a broad church measure of spiritual and cultural inclusiveness - and as a positive alternative to fundamentalism, narrow nationalism and jingoism. The author explores various distinctive contributions to Britishness made over the centuries by the Celts, the Anglo-Saxons, the Scots, and the new black and Asian Britons. Looking to a new sense of British identity that combines myth, imagination and tradition with an open-minded respect for difference, Believing in Britain makes a thoughtful and challenging contribution to one of the most important discussions of our time.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #408684 in Books
• Published on: 2008-04-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Review
'At a time when there are big and important debates raging about pluralism, multiculturalism, and the appropriate place of faith and belief in the public square, Believing in Britain makes a significant contribution to the debate. In raising important questions about nationality, identity and faith Ian Bradley attempts to square some very rounded circles. By no means everyone will agree with the author's conclusions, but they are persistently provocative, interesting and thoughtful.' - The Most Revd Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of YorkCHURCH OF ENGLAND NEWSPAPERA very readable survey.Paul Richardson

About the Author
Ian Bradley is Senior Lecturer in Practical Theology at the University of St Andrews and a Church of Scotland minister. A former political correspondent on The Times, his books for Lion include The Call to Seriousness (2005), Enlightened Entrepreneurs (2007) and Believing in Britain (2008)