An appeal from MPs against the neglect of Christianity's rich contribution to British culture and society has been backed by the Evangelical Alliance.

Tory MP Mark Pritchard held a Westminster Hall debate on Wednesday about "rising Christianophobia" evident in the reluctance of officials, the media and even Royal Mail to mark Christian festivals and traditions.

He said that while the reason given for marginalising Christianity is often to avoid offending people of other faiths, this is a "bogus cover" for the secularist and politically correct agenda.

Alistair Burt MP, who is on the Evangelical Alliance council, quoted the Alliance's Faith and Nation report's analysis that while it is doubtful that the majority of Britons have ever been committed Christians, Britain's cohesiveness as a nation in the past owed much to a public framework of Christianity.

Mr Burt said the Church can survive Christianophobia but that the nation would be much poorer if Britain's faith heritage is marginalised, adding that the correlation between happiness and religious faith is very strong.

"The church does not need contemporary Britain, but does contemporary Britain need the church? You bet it does," he said.

Dr R David Muir, Public Policy Director at the Evangelical Alliance, was at the debate.

"Freedom of speech, respect, justice and compassion have been woven into the fabric of British society through the influence of Christianity," he said.

"The church will continue to promote these rights and support the poor and marginalised, even if our rights are not respected - but we believe this would be a tragedy and the whole of society would be poorer as a result."

Cohesion minister Parmjit Dhanda called for greater tolerance, adding that Christianity had played a significant role in community cohesion and education.