John Cleese says Britain is Christian on the ‘deepest level’

It could also be surprising to some that certainly one of the comedy minds behind Monty Python’s Life of Brian should come out in defence of Britain’s Christian heritage, but that is what has now occurred.

John Cleese, writing on X, said that “Christian values” have determined the character of the country on the “deepest level”.

Responding to a post by Susan Hall, leader of the Conservative group within the London Assembly, on how Britain’s status as a Christian country should be preserved, Cleese wrote, “Despite the numerous mistakes made by churches, for hundreds of years British people have been influenced by Christ’s teaching. If these values are replaced by Islamic ones, this can not be Britain any more.”

The Life of Brian is taken into account controversial, with many Christians believing it to be blasphemous, although Cleese has all the time denied this. In 2019, speaking on The Dick Cavett Show, Cleese said, “It just isn’t against Christ or anything Christ said. It is against the manifestations of … [organized religion or followers]. It doesn’t make fun of Christ at any moment.”

Britain’s Christian status has turn into a political issue in recent days.

The Green Party, which is led by a Jew and a Muslim, have called for the disestablishment of the Church of England. Meanwhile, Restore Britain, for which Cleese has expressed some support, has called for a re-emphasis on Britain’s Christian heritage.

Christian creator Adrian Hilton said that reporting on the Green plan to disestablish the Church is “confused”, noting that Green leader Zack Polanski appears to have called for the Church to appoint its own leader and to be self-governing. In fact, that is already the case.

Writing on X, Hilton said, “They say the CofE would turn into ‘self-governing’. In what sense is it no longer? More importantly, what does Zack plan to do with all of the property when he (effectively) privatises the Church? Give it (price £billions) to CofE PLC ? Sell it off to the very best bidder (St Paul’s to the House of Saud)?

“Who gets the Royal Peculiars (fancy a Costa on the shrine of Edward the Confessor)? Who buys my parish church? ‘The King continues to be the top of the church to at the present time.’ No, he is not: he’s the Supreme Governor; Jesus is the Head.”

Concerns concerning the erosion of Britain’s Christian heritage have been heightened in recent weeks by the federal government’s latest ‘anti-Muslim hostility’ definition. Critics say the definition effectively privileges Islam, providing it with status and protections not afforded other religions in Britain. The definition can also act as an Islamic blasphemy law by the back door, critics have said.

The Free Speech Union has said it’s launching a legal challenge against the definition.