Comment 21 by GPWC :

But the problem for us is that Islam has made the public see Christianity as 'ours' and it has again become a national, patriotic symbol. In the eyes of the public, it is either a good thing (compared to Islam) or benign at worse. Therefore ... holding Christian prayers = good or at worst = what harm can it do?

Belief is rubbing shoulders with belief.

It all depends how the big guns of the political/media class line up on this one. Will they do a US and decide doing religion is a win-win or will they go the secular route?

Immigrants from developing nations, such as India, plus other belief based economies are wielding political leverage on home soil in providing due process for belief to continue 'colonial' inclusion plus cultural tolerance. It seems it's ok for belief to say, " We cut children's genitals versus we think children's genitals amount to perversion, but under belief EITHER is to be respected." but NOT for atheism to say leave them well alone and give them a secular education. You see they really do need to be in kids pants to survive - by inclusion or exclusion! To a secular atheist it's already a non sequitur. Kids are off the menu!

I've like some comments I've read here recently - we need to get the message out that the liberal, tolerant society that we are today (and I include in this the present day Church of England) is a result of the secular Enlightenment, not so called Christian values.

No, it's a result of a move towards a more reason based understanding of the world around us - the very things BELIEF wants to remove the rights of children to access FULLY. EVERYTIME I hear BELIEF I hear, " We want absolute access to your children, with your permissions of course." Amazing how Pickles is wanting his jar of hearts.