Britain is a nation of 65 million people, dozens of religions and countless other beliefs. Without mutual respect and tolerance, this could spell conflict. But should we tolerate all views?

Tolerance of what, exactly? The UK government defines this value as "mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs". This refers to people's religious orientation (or lack thereof), as well as other principles like veganism and pacifismThe resistance to war and violence, and the belief that all conflicts can be settled peacefully. . The idea is that you should not discriminate against others simply because they do not share your views or culture.

So all beliefs are OK? Not quite. As the Government's guidelines make clear, faiths and beliefs that contradict British values should not be encouraged. For example, extremist groups which promote criminal activity have no place in the country. In fact, fear that hardline Islamists were trying to influence schools in Birmingham is what spurred the Government to promote British values in the first place.

Is intolerance illegal or just frowned upon? Under the Human Rights Act, all Britons have the right to believe what they want. Generally, they are also allowed to "manifest" their faith: talk about it, worship, dress according to its teachings. But there are exceptions if their actions threaten public safety or the rights of others. The Government must regulate all religions equally.

But are all faiths really equal if England is a Christian country? It's true that England has an official state religion: the Church of England. The church is involved in major state ceremonies (such as a coronation), and the monarch is its governor (ironically, this means that he or she alone cannot choose his or her religion). But this has no bearing on the rights of AnglicansAdherents of the Church of England (or one of its spin-off churches around the world). and non-Anglicans in society.

Have religions always been equal? No. Britain, like pretty much every nation, has a history of religious intolerance. The CatholicsFollowers of the Catholic church, a Christian denomination with over a billion followers worldwide, led by the Pope. who governed in the Middle AgesThe Middle Ages was the period in European history that came between ancient and modern times. It lasted from about 500 to about 1500. cracked down on other beliefs - even on those who wanted to translate the Bible from Latin. After Henry VIII established the Church of England, Catholics were persecuted in turn. This kind of official discrimination gradually died out, although blasphemySpeaking with contempt or disrespect about a religious deity or sacred person. Blasphemy laws were abolished in the UK in 2008.  was technically a crime until 2008.

Is Britain especially tolerant now? First, it is worth pointing out that freedom of belief is an international idea. The Human Rights Act is derived from the European Convention on Human Rights and, as of this year, pupils in OECDThe Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. nations will be tested on their level of tolerance as part of the annual PISAProgramme for International Student Assessment. A set of regular international tests for 15-year-olds, through which nations are ranked for academic competence. Pisa is also the name of an Italian town. study.

Britain is often described as one of the most tolerant societies in the world. The biannual Eurobarometer poll consistently shows that, compared to most EUEuropean Union. An economic and political union of 27 countries. nations, it is open to diversity. The far-Right has historically been weak, and policies which control people's self-expression - like the burka ban - are relatively rare.

I sense a "but"... Sadly, bigotry is still not uncommon: beginning in schools, people are sometimes insulted because of their beliefs and culture. The question of how to balance tolerance of all groups often comes up too. For example, in 2015 a Church of England advert was banned from cinemas in case it "caused offence" to non-Christians. Many were outraged by what they saw as censorship.

Has Brexit changed things? In the aftermath of the referendum, there was a widely reported spike in hate crimes across the nation. Many Britons were dismayed by xenophobicShowing dislike or prejudice towards people from other countries. rhetoric used by some Leave campaigners, and the media was awash with headlines about "rising intolerance".

The rate of hate crimes soon fell again, and it may be too early to tell whether the events surrounding Brexit have permanently shifted attitudes toward minorities and foreigners. According to recent Eurobarometer figures, at least, they have not.

Pacifism - The resistance to war and violence, and the belief that all conflicts can be settled peacefully.

Anglicans - Adherents of the Church of England (or one of its spin-off churches around the world).

Catholics - Followers of the Catholic church, a Christian denomination with over a billion followers worldwide, led by the Pope.

Middle Ages - The Middle Ages was the period in European history that came between ancient and modern times. It lasted from about 500 to about 1500.

Blasphemy - Speaking with contempt or disrespect about a religious deity or sacred person. Blasphemy laws were abolished in the UK in 2008. 

OECD - The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Pisa - Programme for International Student Assessment. A set of regular international tests for 15-year-olds, through which nations are ranked for academic competence. Pisa is also the name of an Italian town.

EU - European Union. An economic and political union of 27 countries.

Xenophobic - Showing dislike or prejudice towards people from other countries.