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CHRISTIAN BREAKING NEWS: UK Parliament Rejects Move to End Long-Standing Tradition of Christian Prayers in Daily Sittings

Hi everyone,

The UK Parliament has rejected a motion calling for the removal of Christian prayers at the start of each sitting in the House of Commons—a tradition dating back to the 16th century.

While a small group of MPs had argued that the practice is outdated and exclusionary in an increasingly secular Britain, the majority defended it as a voluntary moment of quiet reflection rooted in the nation’s Christian heritage.

The motion’s rejection has reignited debate over religion’s role in government, parliamentary tradition, and the need for a more inclusive political arena.

🇬🇧 What Happened
The UK Parliament has rejected efforts to abolish the long-standing tradition of beginning daily sittings in the House of Commons with Christian prayers. An Early Day Motion (EDM) introduced in February 2025, supported by 16 MPs from Labor, Lib Dems, Greens, and SNP, urged the Modernization Committee to consider scrapping these prayers. Parliament declined to adopt the motion—effectively maintaining the status quo

🔍 Key Perspectives
Supporters of the motion argue that daily Anglican prayers—first introduced in 1558—are outdated, exclusionary, and give undue advantage to MPs who attend, allowing them to reserve seats while non-attendees miss out

Defenders, including Muslim MP Shockat Adam and Conservative Sir John Hayes, contend that the prayers are voluntary, rooted in Britain’s Christian heritage, and offer quiet reflection time at the start of proceedings

🗳️ Political & Cultural Context
Around 46% of MPs now opt for a secular affirmation instead of a religious oath, reflecting broader UK secular trends

The National Secular Society and Humanists UK are pushing for modernization toward a more inclusive and representative parliamentary process

✅ Bottom Line
Parliament has retained the tradition of Christian prayers, with its defenders emphasizing choice, history, and private reflection, while reformers see it as an outdated practice that undermines diversity and equity in Parliament’s democratic functioning. The debate reflects wider cultural shifts and ongoing discussions about the role of religion in public institutions.

UK PARLIAMENT REJECTS MOVE TO END LONG-STANDING TRADITION OF CHRISTIAN PRAYERS IN DAILY SITTINGS | Christian News and Views!

UK PARLIAMENT REJECTS MOVE TO END LONG-STANDING TRADITION OF CHRISTIAN PRAYERS IN DAILY SITTINGS | Christian News and Views!