Faith matters as UK votes on whether to remain in EU

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Revelers wrapped in European Union flags walk at Worthy Farm in Somerset during the Glastonbury Festival, Britain, on June 22, 2016. Photo courtesy of REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov

By Arthur Keefer | 14 hours ago

CAMBRIDGE, England (RNS) For the last month, fliers about the United Kingdom’s referendum on the European Union have come through my door with statements like: “The EU costs us at least £350 million a week. That’s enough to build a new NHS hospital every week.” Not one of them has mentioned religion.

On Thursday (June 23), U.K. voters decide whether to stay or leave the EU — the single market created to ease the flow of goods and people among its 28 member states.

The “Brexit” referendum, as it is called — a handy abbreviation of “British exit” — is tied up with issues of economics and immigration, and different ideas of what serves the nation best. But religion also motivates voters.

In Britain, Christian and Muslim communities are each divided over whether to remain in the EU. The “Muslims for Britain” campaign advocates that the nation leave. The group interprets political independence as a positive position, one that will open trade with Commonwealth countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh and India.

http://religionnews.com/2016/06/23/faith-matters-as-uk-votes-on-whether-to-remain-in-european-union/