www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Blair feared talking about religion

Blair 'nutter' fear angers bishop

Mr. Blair said politicians who talk about religion "get into trouble"
A bishop has criticised Tony Blair after he said he avoided talking about his religious views while premier because he feared the "nutter" label.

The Bishop of Rochester, Michael Nazir-Ali, said he was "sorry" the former prime minister felt unable to talk about his faith.

It would have led to more constructive social policy at home and principled policies abroad, the bishop said.

Mr Blair's admission comes in the final episode of BBC One's The Blair Years.

During the interview, Mr Blair said faith was a crucial component for him in having the character to take on the prime minister's job and had been "hugely important" to his premiership.

But while it was commonplace in the US and elsewhere for politicians to talk about their religious convictions, he added: "you talk about it in our system and, frankly, people do think you're a nutter".

British voters imagined that leaders who were informed by religion would "commune with the man upstairs and then come back and say 'Right, I've been told the answer and that's it'".

Bishop Nazir-Ali said: "I am sorry that Tony Blair feels he could not talk about his faith in case people thought he was a nutter.

"A Christian vision underlies all that is important about Britain: its laws, institutions and values.

"If Blair had been able to relate this vision to his policies, we would have had more constructive social policy at home and principled policies abroad."

Mr Blair's ex-spokesman Alastair Campbell famously warned reporters: "We don't do God."

He acknowledged to the programme that his former boss "does do God in quite a big way", but that both men feared the public would be wary.

Mr Campbell added that the former PM always asked his aides to find him a church to attend each Sunday, wherever he happened to be.
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The Blair Years will be screened on BBC One at 2215 GMT on 25 November. The episode in which Mr Blair discusses his faith will be broadcast on Sunday 2 December.

www.bbcnews.com [bbcnews.com]

It is curious how, although we are cultural cousins, in this country a politician is almost expected to talk about their faith, whereas in England, they are considered 'nutters' (I love that Anglocized term for our 'nut') if they do!

Comments?

Alice

Bakc int h 1980's Thatcher was free to talk about her faith. Its the 15 years of Labour domenance, and ten years of Blair and his "Social progressives" that sank it.

Even though much blame is shown on Norhern Ireland, the truth is the shcools, media, and general politcal climate is Anti-CHristian, Not anti-religious, because the Left-leanign socialists that want us to abandon our British Culture, and joint he New European Vision, dispise the message and principles on which CHristaiity stands. Miuslism are of ocruse free ot discuss their faith.

I want to read a good biography of Thatcher. England has seemed to swing to and away from socialism. I think its politics hit a low point when Churchill was ousted, but that was partially his fault.

Terry