The former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has long been one of my theological heroes.
This is but one of the many reasons why.
‘Persecuted’ British Christians need to ‘grow up’, says former Archbishop Rowan Williams
By Hannah Furness, The Telegraph
Lord Williams said religious believers should be wary of complaining about their treatment in the Western world, with those claiming they are “persecuted” making him “very uneasy”.
He added the level of “not being taken very seriously” or “being made fun of” in Britain and the United States is not comparable to the “murderous hostility” faced by others in different parts of the world.
Speaking at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, he urged those who complain of ill-treatment for their beliefs in Britain to “grow up”.
Lord Williams, who stood down from his role as Archbishop of Canterbury at the end of 2012 and is now Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge, said his perspective had been drawn from meeting believers from all faiths suffering around the world.
“When you have any contact with real persecuted minorities you learn to use the word persecuted very chastely,” he said.
“Persecution is not being made to feel mildly uncomfortable.”