The Prime Minister also highlighted the suffering of Syrian refugees and praised the "brave Armed Forces doing their duty" in Syria and Iraq in his traditional address to the nation.
In his most religious message to date, he said: "That is what we mark today as we celebrate the birth of God's only son, Jesus Christ - the Prince of Peace.
"As a Christian country, we must remember what his birth represents: peace, mercy, goodwill and, above all, hope.
"I believe that we should also reflect on the fact that it is because of these important religious roots and Christian values that Britain has been such a successful home to people of all faiths and none."
The PM was immediately criticised by the National Secular Society, who said he was a leader and not a "leader of Christians".
It is the second time Mr Cameron has referred to Britain as a "Christian country" - last year he was criticised for stoking "alienation and division" by doing so.
Speaking about refugees, he said: "If there is one thing people want at Christmas, it's the security of having their family around them and a home that is safe. But not everyone has that.
"Millions of families are spending this winter in refugee camps or makeshift shelters across Syria and the Middle East, driven from their homes by Daesh and Assad.
"Christians from Africa to Asia will go to church on Christmas morning full of joy, but many in fear of persecution."
Mr Cameron also made reference to the homeless and the ill, paying tribute to "thousands of doctors, nurses, carers and volunteers who give up their Christmas to help the vulnerable".
The National Secular Society campaigns manager Stephen Evans said: "David Cameron needs to appreciate that he isn't a leader of Christians, he's the Prime Minister of a diverse, multi-faith, and increasingly non-religious nation.
"We look to political leaders for leadership, not theology, and this kind of language reveals him to be less than statesmanlike."
A report from the Commission on Religion and Belief in Public Life released last month found Britain was no longer a Christian country.
It pointed to a decline in the number of people attending church services and the rise of Islam.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has opted not to give a Christmas message but will instead issue a New Year message.
Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron released his Christmas message on Tuesday in which he celebrated those who have given their time to help refugees and homeless people.
No comments:
Post a Comment