Here's an interesting article about Cherie Blair, wife of former British Prime Minister Tony. In it, she discusses her views about the role of Christianity in British society. In particular, she states that it's marginalized and that as a Christian, she/others felt pressure to keep it to themselves. The article quotes her husband as saying: "while it was commonplace in the US and elsewhere for politicians to talk about their religious convictions, "you talk about it in our system and, frankly, people do think you're a nutter"".
I would say that in our political system, it's a good thing for a politician to label themselves as a Christian, but it gets awkward if they are verbal about the specifics of it; i.e., its role in everyday life and how it guides their decisions.
Stephen Carter put it well in his book, Culture of Disbelief, when he wrote religion is trivialized in a way that society accepts it only as a hobby--something done quietly and in private.
I would say that in our political system, it's a good thing for a politician to label themselves as a Christian, but it gets awkward if they are verbal about the specifics of it; i.e., its role in everyday life and how it guides their decisions.
Stephen Carter put it well in his book, Culture of Disbelief, when he wrote religion is trivialized in a way that society accepts it only as a hobby--something done quietly and in private.
1 comment:
Which is riskier politically -- talking about your Christian beliefs in the UK or talking about your atheism in the US?
It's an interesting article. Ms Blair isn't exactly leading cheers for organized religion as she observes it in the UK.
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