Religion and Politics

[rov1200]

Should religious faith be part of a politician's vocabulary?

[jno]

it should be part of his vocabulary, but I don't see that he should have to be religious, or of any particular religion.

[naomi24]

No it shouldn't. Religion should have no part in politics.

[rov1200]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/...ld-us-canada-11843586

[jno]

I don't think Christianity played any part in Blair waging the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, I think those were purely political decisions based on a desire to be Bush's poodle. Muslims may believe otherwise, but he never presented them to the public as any kind of religious crusade. What his personal beliefs are is his business, even if he defends them in public; I doubt anyone voted for him on religious grounds. If they did, that's their right.

[naomi24]

jno, if his personal beliefs are his business, then he should keep them to himself. They should not be a part of his public vocabulary.

//"The good that people of faith all over the world do every day, motivated by their religion, cannot be underestimated and should never be ignored."// Tony Blair.

This is a typical response when the religious are challenged. Ignore the bad and bleat on about the faithful doing good. I want to ask him what motivates non-believers to do good deeds?

[sandyRoe]

Ian Paisley based his entire career on a toxic brew of demagoguery and bible bashing. Didn't do him any harm.

[jno]

naomi, he kept quiet about his beliefs when he was PM. He is now not a politician and is free to speak on any subject he pleases.

[naomi24]

No, he didn't. He was known to be Christian.

[jno]

because he went to church, I believe. Politicians are allowed to do this, as are other people.

[naomi24]

jno, you're contradicting yourself. On the one hand you say that religion should be part of a politician's vocabulary, and on the other you're saying his belief should be private. Anyway, that aside, if you think that Tony Blair wields no authority in politics, you're wrong. He is still a politician except now he's an international player - and as such is capable of exerting enormous influence on world politics.

[anotheoldgit]

A passage taken from Rov's link

/// Mr Blair also insisted that his decision to support the US invasion of Iraq was based on policy and not on his faith.///

A passage taken from the link below.

/// before the Iraq invasion Mr Blair was guided by his faith and regularly spoke to "his maker".///

http://tinyurl.com/4aonby

[woofgang]

I think a politicians beliefs should be part of what we know about him/her, religious or not. I want to know what the people I am voting for believe in and how they come to their decisions.

[modeller]

# Should religious faith be part of a politician's vocabulary? #
Are you talking about our politicians or all polititions ?
Our's shouldn't and they don't need to in the UK but in the US unless they mention religion in every other sentance they can't get elected. The same thing applies in many other countries in the world .

[Gromit]

No it shouldn't. It is impossible to take religion out of someone who has faith, but to parade their beliefs in public is not good. In some countries, such as the United States, it is impossible to get elected without displaying religious faith, but in the UK, where very few people attend church, we find it slightly embarrassing, and possibly not bright.

[steg]

Should religious faith be part of a politician's vocabulary?

i think yes if they want, politics and religion are mixed in most cultures. if people don't agree with them then they don't vote for them

[naomi24]

Steg, voting for the bishops who sit in the House of Lords isn't an option. They are influential in deciding the law of the land whether the electorate like it or not.

[rov1200]

Good Point AOG. Blair seemed to be facing in opposite directions at the same time. Maybe if the war in Iraq had been a success he could say he was directed by God. But now because of the outcome he could not say God was wrong so making him a hypocrite and his beliefs are therefore not correct.