Anthony Blair: Politicians "have to 'do God'."

[BoyBach]

Blair urges world leaders to 'do God'

LONDON (AFP) — Former premier Tony Blair, who was famously silent on his religious faith when in office, said Thursday he is now more open to speak and urged world leaders to "do God."

Writing in a British weekly magazine, he said that during his time in Downing Street he gradually came to realise that "failure to understand the power of religion meant failure to understand the modern world."

"My faith has always been an important part of my politics," he wrote in the New Statesman, guest-edited by his former spokesman Alastair Campbell -- who infamously said "We don't do God" in the run-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

"While in office, it was best, in my view, not to shout that too loudly from the rooftops, lest it be thought that I was trying to claim some kind of moral superiority for myself or my party.

"On the rare occasions when I did talk about religion, it tended to be misrepresented to suit the political purposes of others. That was the reason why 'we did not do God'," he said.

But Blair, who has set up a foundation to promote inter-faith dialogue since leaving office in June 2007, said the world had changed.

"Religious faith and how it develops could be of the same significance to the 21st century as political ideology was to the 20th.

"It could help guide and sustain the era of globalisation, lending it values, and, in bringing faiths and cultures to a greater understanding of each other, could foster peaceful coexistence.

"Or it could be a reactionary force, pulling people apart just as globalisation pushes people together.

"Whichever route develops, it does mean that all leaders, whether of religious faith themselves or not, have to 'do God'."

Blair, who left the Church of England to become a Roman Catholic after quitting power, has previously said that he avoided talking about his faith in office because people might think he was a "nutter."

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp...KPSKzKionpwtng

http://www.newstatesman.com/religion...lion-faith-god


I'll forgo my utter contempt for the odious man and repugnance at his stating of "peaceful coexistence", to say that it's the basis of an interesting debate.

Should politicians "do God"? Which "God" should politicians "do"? Can, will, or should religion replace political ideology in the 21st century?

[leekohler]

Originally Posted by BoyBach

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp...KPSKzKionpwtng

http://www.newstatesman.com/religion...lion-faith-god


I'll forgo my utter contempt for the odious man and repugnance at his stating of "peaceful coexistence", to say that it's the basis of an interesting debate.

Should politicians "do God"? Which "God" should politicians "do"? Can, will, or should religion replace political ideology in the 21st century?

What a ********** a**hole. Looks like you guys indeed had your W.

[skunk]

There is ZERO possibility that emphasising adherence to one or other of the competing monotheistic religions will bring the world closer to a state of harmony, unless it results in the total annihilation of the species.

[Blue Velvet]

Ah, Tony Blair. What a complete disappointment for so many reasons. Managed to give the Tories a wakeup call about the modern world, though.

I hear he's still popular in the US. You're welcome to him.

[Counterfit]

Originally Posted by Blue Velvet

I hear he's still popular in the US. You're welcome to him.

Thanks, but no.

[drewsof07]

Originally Posted by BoyBach

Should politicians "do God"? Which "God" should politicians "do"? Can, will, or should religion replace political ideology in the 21st century?

I don't think he was specifying which religion/deity leaders should "do" but rather just the idea of having some sense of spirituality to "comfort/guide" them.

And when you consider the source, (correct me if I'm wrong) but aren't most leaders in the UK "blessed" by the church before assuming their duties? Not out of requirement, but tradition. So not the best environment to create leaders who are entirely separate from their religious roots.

[Rt&Dzine]

If this forum is any indication, I'd be afraid to be Catholic in the UK.

[Blue Velvet]

Originally Posted by Rt&Dzine

If this forum is any indication, I'd be afraid to be Catholic in the UK.

Why? Most people here don't care one whit about your religion... unless you keep on talking about it with them. To be seen as overly religious as a political figure is a death-knell for broad national support.

[bartelby]

Originally Posted by Blue Velvet

Why? Most people here don't care one whit about your religion... unless you keep on talking about it with them.

Which is the way is should be...

[toontra]

When asked directly if he and Bush prayed together when meeting to decide whether to invade Iraq he snorted in derision saying "Of course not". Turns out that is exactly what they did, praying for divine guidance. Says it all really - lying about the use of religion to justify an illegal war.

The only saving grace is that, if he is right about there being a God, he will undoubtedly rot in hell.

[skunk]

Originally Posted by Rt&Dzine

If this forum is any indication, I'd be afraid to be Catholic in the UK.

We spit upon Protestants and Catholics equally.

[Queso]

Par for the course. I detest that man.

Originally Posted by Rt&Dzine

If this forum is any indication, I'd be afraid to be Catholic in the UK.

Nothing to do with being Catholic, unless of course being Catholic means being a condescending hypocrite like Blair.

[Cromulent]

Originally Posted by drewsof07

And when you consider the source, (correct me if I'm wrong) but aren't most leaders in the UK "blessed" by the church before assuming their duties? Not out of requirement, but tradition. So not the best environment to create leaders who are entirely separate from their religious roots.

The church is linked with the British government because it is the official state religion. Ironically though we are less religious at a political level than the US which is meant to be a secular country.

I would be very surprised if any politician tried to play the God card in a British election but it is par for the course in America.

Also tradition is a form of requirement, most of the UK's constitution is based on tradition as we don't have an official written one like the US.

[Rt&Dzine]

Originally Posted by skunk

We spit upon Protestants and Catholics equally.

LOL. It's just an observation. I'm not religious myself.

[arkitect]

Originally Posted by drewsof07

So not the best environment to create leaders who are entirely separate from their religious roots.

At least some try…
Link.

But then again we also have (had) "Opus Dei" Kelly.

[drewsof07]

Originally Posted by arkitect

At least some try…
Link.

But then again we also have (had) "Opus Dei" Kelly.

But I'm not sure spirituality or lack of has much to do with effectiveness of leadership on the grand scale. If anything, having a belief system would place them with the majority according to this article anyway. I don't mean or imply they should publicly identify with a certain religion or belief system and say everyone else is wrong, but a general belief in a higher power.

[arkitect]

Originally Posted by drewsof07

If anything, having a belief system would place them with the majority according to this article anyway.

I am quite sure that is true for the US… to which your article refers.
I was refering to the UK.
Where you find this:

2008
1000 people were polled both in the UK and the USA and asked "Do you believe there is a God?".
Less than 40% in the UK said yes, compared with 80% in the USA.

Link.
For what it's worth.

[drewsof07]

Originally Posted by arkitect

I am quite sure that is true for the US… to which your article refers.
I was refering to the UK.
Where you find this:

Link.
For what it's worth.

And God shone his wrath on the UK, it was noted in the documentary "28 Days Later" hahaha

But only 1,000 participants? I would be wary to accept those results as a good representation. The one I linked was 36,000 adults in the US. 1,000 people could be assembled from the science department of a University...

Also, right below that number you quoted, "2003: 1001 Adults polled, 60% believed in God." This also makes me question the validity of these numbers, to have such drastic change over the course of just 3 years when it dropped to 35%.

[arkitect]

Oh, god.

Make of that link what you will.

But: If you are trying to claim that the UK is a religious nation on a par with the levels in the USA… then you are mistaken.
Religious belief in the UK is nowhere near at the levels of the US.

Politicians who drag religion into their speeches and policy are derided.

Do I have a link for that? No I don't.
You have to live here to realise that.

Here's the perspective of a Yank living in the UK. Link.

[iObama]

Originally Posted by skunk

We spit upon Protestants and Catholics equally.

People like you cause as much hate in the world as you claim religion does. Atheists always claim that Christians are arrogant for thinking that Jesus is the only way to get to Heaven, but attack anyone else for disagreeing with you. Funny how that works.

[Blue Velvet]

Originally Posted by iObama

People like you cause as much hate in the world as you claim religion does.

Another reason for Americans to avoid moving to the UK: not understanding their sense of humour in the absolute slightest.

[Cromulent]

Originally Posted by iObama

People like you cause as much hate in the world as you claim religion does. Atheists always claim that Christians are arrogant for thinking that Jesus is the only way to get to Heaven, but attack anyone else for disagreeing with you. Funny how that works.

Not sure why you are getting uppity over an obvious joke but I'll bite anyway.

Christians are arrogant for thinking Jesus is the only way to get into heaven. What about Buddha? What about the Hindi Gods?

If there truly is one God I think he would be open minded enough to let people from all religions into heaven, not just Christians. That is why I think Christians are arrogant.

Edit: Bah, beaten by BV .

[jonbravo77]

Originally Posted by Blue Velvet

Another reason for Americans to avoid moving to the UK: not understanding their sense of humour in the absolute slightest.

I will completely agree. I don't get British humor. Not all, but most of it.. Not a huge Monty Python fan.. Sorry, I know this will get me flamed... But it certainly doesn't mean that others don't find it funny, my wife loves Monty Python and does not understand why I don't... oh well, compromise in a marriage

[.Andy]

Originally Posted by jonbravo77

Not a huge Monty Python fan..

This is the closest I've ever been to using my ignore list !

[Rt&Dzine]

Originally Posted by Blue Velvet

Another reason for Americans to avoid moving to the UK: not understanding their sense of humour in the absolute slightest.

I literally laughed out loud at skunk's comment. You and skunk often crack me up. Maybe because I was raised by an Anglophile.