Christianity continues to be kicked out of the public square in the U.K. The latest target? The academic calendar at the London School of Economics.
The school decided to get rid of Christian terms in order to appeal to a more “international” audience, as reported by Fox News.
On the school’s website, the 2022 and 2023 term dates still use the phrases “Michaelmas Term,” and “Lent Term,” however, the schedule for the 2023-2024 school year and beyond is now listed with “Autumn Term” and “Spring Term.”
The Christian Post shared a statement by the school which read: “These new names use more accessible and widely-recognized terminology, and better reflect the international nature of our community and our broader global engagement.”
In a nation where less than half of its citizens now consider themselves adherents to the Christian faith, a change in academic calendars to fit a secularist society is to be expected. The breakaway from terms like “Michaelmas” shows a decline in particular from the Anglican Church, which celebrates this day in honor of Michael the Archangel.
This change by the London School of Economics is a reflection of the rapid decline of Christianity within the U.K. Former pastor of Westminster Chapel, R.T. Kendall, shared with Charisma News that this figure does not surprise him.
“When you consider the people who call themselves Christians, that doesn’t mean they are believers,” Kendall says. “They were baptized into the Church of England. In other words, you put on your passport whether you’re a Christian or a Muslim.”
The pressures of modern-day society are not only creeping into the school system or the public at large in the U.K.—they are hitting right into the heart of the Church of England itself.
The Church of England recently chose to go forward with blessing same-sex couples. While they will not officially marry these couples, they are creating resources that will “offer clergy a variety of flexible ways to affirm and celebrate same-sex couples in church, and will include prayers of dedication, thanksgiving, and for God’s blessing.”
One of the most well-known (and perhaps underutilized) Scriptures of all is found in 2 Chronicles 7:14 (MEV): “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” God is good and merciful. But He is also just and allows us to freely choose if we will follow as He leads, and there are eternal consequences for that decision. He desires to heal and fix what is breaking across England, America and the world. Perhaps what is needed most is a people willing to turn from their wicked ways and toward His glorious light.
Abby Trivett is a marketing copywriter and coordinator and Staff Writer intern for Charisma Media.
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