Papal visit: tackling Britain’s beliefs

Early this morning, I joined thousands of pilgrims as they walked to Cofton Park for a special mass with Pope Benedict XVI. They had come from across the country and represented many different nationalities.

They weren’t put off by the rain or cold – as one woman who’d travelled from Bristol told me, this was a “once in a lifetime opportunity.”

There was a great atmosphere, almost a party in the park, with people dancing along to the hymns. Some of those I spoke to said this was their chance to express themselves. One man agreed with the Pope, that Christianity had been marginalised.

“I’m usually afraid to admit in public that I’m religious,” Brian said, “because people normally laugh at me or patronise me.”

And so many here will welcome David Cameron’s speech later, when he tells the Pope that faith is part of the fabric of our country. Is he right?

To find out, I went to that other place of Sunday worship, the Bullring shopping centre, which was packed with people (unlike the church across the road, which is struggling with falling numbers).

Many shoppers weren’t remotely interested in the Pope’s visit. “We all get along fine together here,” said one man. “Religion just divides people.” He was worried about the Tories insistence this week that the coalition “does God” and that religious faith will be restored to the heart of British politics.

A recent survey found there has been a sharp decline in religious faith in Britain. A social attitudes survey found most people are pragmatic: religion has personal and social benefits, but faith should not be taken too far. From politics to private life, many domains are seen as off limits to clerical involvement.

Others I spoke to shared his concerns. Should the prime minister be promoting faith?

“Is it really a bad thing if we are faith-less, as long as we are tolerant and respect one another?” asked one woman.