We live in an exceptionally diverse society: one that represents umpteen different faiths and customs and for many people, that is a cause for celebration. At the end of the day though, there is definite evidence of the fact that our laws and customs are moving more and more away from the religious teachings that were impressed upon us over hundreds of years.
Devoutly religious people are filled with concern as society heads in this direction, and the recent visit by the Pope to the UK, really tended to highlight the extent of secularism within our country.
In many ways, our laws will always have an element of religious connection, as most moral factors are just a matter of common sense. We are all taught the difference between right and wrong from day one and this is something that will never leave us; even as we will eventually wake up and smell the coffee and realise how religion was basically just an early form of propaganda to keep citizens in check.
Continuing to abide by certain religious teachings can actually have an exceedingly detrimental impact upon society and this is definitely being seen today. This can promote discrimination against certain people: be it against women or members of the homosexual community and no religion can ever begin to assert that this is a good and contemporary attitude.