They believe that the reduced numbers attending church show that people have chosen to give up faith. But as two High Court judges succinctly put it "The aphorism that "Christianity is part of the common law of England" is mere rhetoric. Secularism Secularists support the separation of church and state ©. We are a nation of many denominations and religions. Individuals have rights; ideas do not.How we should respond to different forms or examples of privilege also differs. 17th February 2004. They do not wish to curtail religious freedoms.Atheism is a lack of belief in gods. Including:While normally a platitude without any great meaning, this claim can come in a number of forms – descriptive and normative.The principles of secularism which protect and underpin many of the freedoms we enjoy are:Politicians often make this claim, but does it really mean anything?Politicians making this claim are normally arguing for Christianity to be given special treatment, for their own policy ideas, or against secularism. But the 26 unelected bishops of the Church of England who sit in the House of Lords influence laws that affect the whole of the UK.Secularism is simply a framework for ensuring equality throughout society – in politics, education, the law and elsewhere – for believers and non-believers alike.Stephen Evans argues that the current system of religious oaths and affirmations should be replaced by a universal secular declaration of the solemn duty to tell the truth.If Britain were truly a secular democracy, political structures would reflect the reality of changing times by separating religion from the state.As the government considers ways to end 'gay conversion therapy' it should give Ofsted the power to stop faith schools fostering anti-LGBT attitudes in the first place, says Megan Manson.Christianity is one major influence among many that shape our current ways of life. And some vestiges of religious privilege we can expect to simply fall by the wayside.We campaign for the law and the administration of justice to be based on equality, respect for human rights, and on objective evidence.Privileged groups of all type try and claim exclusive or excessive credit for lots of things. No religious or political affiliation gives advantages or disadvantages and religious believers are citizens with the same rights and obligations as anyone else.When people claim that 'British values' are based on 'Christian principles', they are really only claiming that what they perceive to be (or think should be) British values are in line with what they perceive to be Christian values.For over 150 years we have campaigned for disestablishment, the separation of the C of E and state.We campaign on a wide range of topics where religious privilege impacts public life. Find out what it means.Hierarchies of religious privilege may exist within different groups. In a democracy, all ideas and beliefs must be open to discussion.