Archbishop Justin Welby proposed that the "British values" that are taught in schools of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect for those with different types of religious belief are not properly embedded in the heritage of our country.
He went on to suggest that Christian values are the backbone of British society and heritage; pointing to the story of the Good Samaritan as an example of how we model ourselves as citizens.
Archbishop Justin Welby said the secular teachings of British values are: "To apply a revisionist secularism to our notions of identity inhibits the ability to reassert the deep values reflected in our common history; those that show virtue and good in absolute and permanent terms. It is in these deep values and loyalties that we find who we are. Fundamental British values have grown out of these values.
"The root of our freedom in this country lies within the shared scriptural inheritance in our faith traditions."
Liberal Democrat peer Lord Newby said that he does not usually agree with religious texts being quoted in relation to politics but that the key statement of principle for a civilised society could be found in the Bible.
Quoting Paul's letter to the Galatians, Lord Newby said: "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one... At the time of writing it was a revolutionary statement, the concept for respect for the individual has formed the basis of what we think of as Western civilization... tolerant, inclusive and open-minded attitudes have contributed to liberal beliefs."
Conservation peer Baroness Warsi said that terrorism and racist attacks have deeply disturbed our idea of British values in the wake of Brexit .
Baroness Warsi said: "No one religion or race has a monopoly on all that is good or all that is bad.
"Each generation defines its own values defined by the norms of that time. I would suggest that the term 'British ideals' - a forward-looking inclusively created hope of what we would like to be is a much better way forward."
The Bishop of Ely agreed that we should aim for the highest ideals of what we want to be as a society.
He suggested that ideal qualities for British citizens can be found listed in the Fruits of the Spirit and that children find more value in watching the actions of adults rather than "lists displayed in school halls".
As of November 2014, schools must promote British values in the national curriculum.