THERE is a sense of history in Holy Trinity Church, Skipton. As I stand baptising a child at the 14th-century stone font, I am aware that priests have done this on this spot for centuries. In recent days, like many in Skipton, we have been commemorating the Magna Carta, with a ‘Liber-teas’ garden party in the churchyard and a Magna Carta-themed service.

The Magna Carta paved the way for many of the freedoms we enjoy today. Its first clause states: ‘the English Church shall be free, and shall have its rights undiminished, and its liberties unimpaired”, thus upholding the right of the church to operate without state interference. The Church of England is still the established church, but it has changed since 1215, just as society has.

The development of this principle over time led to the right to freedom of religion or belief. Today all British citizens are free to choose and practise their religion and to hold religious services without fear of being arrested.

Judeo-Christian belief is not in a tyrannical God who compels people to go his way, but in one who gave humans the freedom to choose between good and evil. Our scriptures also guide us in practising love for our neighbour. One aspect of this is being open to hear the views of those who are different to us.

At the time when William de Forz was plotting with the other barons to get the Magna Carta put in place, there was already a church next to his castle. I am grateful to those who have preserved the present building and passed down the Christian traditions through the generations. I am also deeply grateful to all who have upheld and who continue to uphold our liberties as individuals in society.

The Rev Heather Houlton,

Placement Curate, Holy Trinity Church, Skipton.