The tolerance of which we boast in today's multi-ethnic Western nations, is in fact a by-product of Christian faith. We should be proud of the good Christianity has done. We should, as Queen Elisabeth suggests, celebrate the strength in it.

Mal Fletcher

Recently, the Queen made a speech to the Church of England Synod. In it, she talked with heartfelt candour about the 'uniqueness of Christian faith'.

'When so much is in flux,' she said, 'when limitless amounts of information, much of it ephemeral, are instantly accessible on demand, there is a renewed hunger for that which endures and gives meaning.'

'The Christian Church can speak uniquely to that need, for at the heart of our faith stands the conviction that all people, irrespective of race, background or circumstances, can find lasting significance and purpose in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.'

Reflecting on the Queen's comments, the Daily Telegraph editorial made the following observation:

'As the Queen implied yesterday, it is, paradoxically, Britain's Christian particularism that protects the multitude of other religions that flourish here. The protection of minorities is best served by a common respect for the historic culture of the country.'

Even in an age of cynicism and criticism of Christian institutions - some of it warranted - many Europeans are looking to the Christian church to actually stand for something.

Many in the community - even newspaper editors, it seems - are hoping that the church might provide a solid and strong voice to a culture in which political correctness has produced only more confusion and fragmentation.

Political correctness is politeness turned sour. The courtesy and tolerance of which we boast in today's avowedly multi-ethnic Western nations, is in fact a by-product of Christian faith.

(You won't find the same tolerance of other faiths in some regions I could mention.)

No, the church hasn't always practiced what it has preached, but true Christianity has always recognised the right of human beings to make their own choices about faith.

The two greatest commandments, said Jesus, are that we should love God with everything we have and are and then, as a consequence, that we love our neighbours as we love ourselves. To love one's neighbour involves, among other things, allowing him to believe as he wishes.

That doesn't mean, though, letting error go unchallenged. If we turn someone to truth we are turning them to eternal life, it says. But it is a fundamental human right, given by God, that people can make up their own mind about faith in Christ.

Christ himself refused to call down fire from heaven on those who disagreed with him, scolding his disciples when they suggested it. Yet, he unashamedly issued a polemic: there is only one way to truth and life. All paths don't lead to the same destination.

In an age of political correctness we must not lose touch with our historical moorings. We are not children of nothing: our thought and values sprang from and are still influenced by our parentage.