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Chief Rabbi's call to British faith groups

September 9, 2011 11:23
Lord Sacks

By

Jessica Elgot,

Jessica Elgot

1 min read

The Chief Rabbi has called for faith groups to make a "covenant" with Britain, which lays out responsibilities towards the country and to others.

Speaking at a debate in the House of Lords on multiculturalism in Britain, Lord Sacks said: "I have a simple proposal.

"I believe that all Britain's faith communities should be invited to make a voluntary covenant with Britain articulating our responsibilities to others and to the nation as a whole, so that we can be true to our faith while being a blessing to others regardless of theirs."

He added: "The good news about religion is that it creates communities based on altruism and trust. It teaches people to make sacrifices for the sake of others. It builds social capital. The bad news is that every community divides as it unites, because for every "us" there is a "them"-the people not like us.

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